Non-theater guy looking to work in production

Hey all -
I'm currently a Production Manager at an art museum where I handle all the tech work for concerts, lectures, exhibitions, and other programs. I have a background primarily in live sound engineering (and a degree in Music). Over the years I have more or less taught myself how to work with lighting and video as well. My favorite shows to work on are the multi-media types, the ones running all kinds of tech at once. My concert hall is not equipped with theatrical lighting - it just has 12 lekos mounted on the ceiling. We don't use gels, we don't change their focus - just a white stage wash on the floor. That's really all our programs usually call for. Anything beyond that will be rented - and i coordinate that stuff too.

But i'm ready to expand my role in theatrical production. I want to work in larger venues in performing arts, but still within a management position. I am less interested in running JUST lights or JUST sound at various part-time productions; more interested in managing venues like I do now, translating artistic visions into reality. But in order to become more successful at that, i feel like I need to build my background in the nuts and bolts of theater.

Since i went to undergrad for music and did no theater at the time, I have no scenic construction / carpentry experience and little advanced lighting ability. So would it be worthwhile attending an MFA program in Design in order to build these skillsets for myself? I know there is a big debate between school and real life work, but I don't see any way for me to build my production skills (from basically the ground up) and still make money to survive. I should note that I am a financially-independent 24 year old... no chance of volunteering and working for free and still surviving. I need to have a steady income.

What's your advice, o wise forum members?

Thanks,
kevin

Well, there are two varying things going on for you. Sounds like right now you are in more of a road house environment. What it sounds like you want to do is transition to a performing arts center or presenting house such as the Huntington. You run into an issue right there. In order to get into management at a producing house like that you have to spend years in the trenches. There is simply too much to know to get anywhere without the years served. An MFA won't really help you with this, you just have to spend the time on the floor. An MFA will get you a good introduction but don't expect to leave grad school and start as a PM of a large theatre company.

Now, you could transition to a larger road house in an audio position. Most PM's will appreciate the management experience. After you learn the ropes there, hopefully someone will leave and you can move up. If you are a road house, you will rarely be involved in "producing an artistic vision" and more of "unload boxes and writing advances so someone else can produce their vision". Not saying some creativity is not involved, but for the most part you can't re-create the wheel when your loading in at 9am with a 8pm show with a lunch and dinner break.

Finally, there is always the touring option. If your not tied to Boston it might not be a bad idea. That will allow you to get your creative juices flowing while still making money.

So, what are you actually wanting to do? Can you name a few companys you would want to work for? Your young, the world is your oyster.

i should have clarified that i wasn't expecting to take a PM position right away out of school - i am not expecting the MFA letters on my resume to allow that. however, i was hoping the experience in the program would give me the necessary ground work to work my way up from some sort of technical position in a performing arts center. i'm focused on the kinds of places that put on large, multi faceted shows, like the met opera, the park ave armory in new york, etc. i do not want to pigeon hole myself with just working with audio - i have very little interest in continuing to run sound for the rest of my life. i'd rather have a broader set of skills than that. i am considering going back to school because i'm not sure how else to get the necessary groundwork experience in facets of production that i don't have: drafting, scenery, advanced lighting, etc.

Footer said:

Well, there are two varying things going on for you. Sounds like right now you are in more of a road house environment. What it sounds like you want to do is transition to a performing arts center or presenting house such as the Huntington. You run into an issue right there. In order to get into management at a producing house like that you have to spend years in the trenches. There is simply too much to know to get anywhere without the years served. An MFA won't really help you with this, you just have to spend the time on the floor. An MFA will get you a good introduction but don't expect to leave grad school and start as a PM of a large theatre company.

Now, you could transition to a larger road house in an audio position. Most PM's will appreciate the management experience. After you learn the ropes there, hopefully someone will leave and you can move up. If you are a road house, you will rarely be involved in "producing an artistic vision" and more of "unload boxes and writing advances so someone else can produce their vision". Not saying some creativity is not involved, but for the most part you can't re-create the wheel when your loading in at 9am with a 8pm show with a lunch and dinner break.

Finally, there is always the touring option. If your not tied to Boston it might not be a bad idea. That will allow you to get your creative juices flowing while still making money.

So, what are you actually wanting to do? Can you name a few companys you would want to work for? Your young, the world is your oyster.

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Feel free to email me direct to discuss MFA Production Management.

dboeversATcmuDOTedu