hammerhead
Member
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
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