Course summary

The FdA Live Performance Production programme is an exciting new two-year, practical technician training course to introduce and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a live event technician. Informed by a team of industry experts in the field of Theatre, Live Music and Live Events, this programme offers a unique opportunity to undertake a course which encourages a holistic approach to Technician training synthesising systems and processes within live sound and lighting for live events, theatre processes, moving image and video conferencing. Throughout the programme technical skills are practiced and refined through practical application within a variety of work-based situations. Underpinning knowledge is developed through written investigations, presentations, observation witness statements, critiques, and workplace documentation, records, policies and procedures in line with industry requirements. This programme will challenge you not only in your development of technical knowledge and skills but in your increasing autonomy and industrial confidence as these skills are transferred to new contexts. As an ‘industry integrated’ programme we will provide you the opportunity for industry-based application of skills within a series of internal and external regional music and theatre venues in the Live Across Newcastle season of events. Curated by The Performance Academy in collaboration with a range of regional venues and company partners, this opportunity will ensure your work-readiness as you graduate. As part of our FdA Live Performance Production work ready guarantee we have strong links established with regional companies and venues working. As a result, there are a variety of opportunities throughout the year for you to participate in which mirror current industry practices and inform your Work Based Learning and Professional Practice modules. The Performance Academy is a centre for regional performance and production training and as training academy we are developing partnerships with companies and venues such as The Cluny 1 & 2, Dance City, Alphabetti, Live Theatre, The Tyne Theatre, The Baltic, and Generator, NX, where you will follow in the footsteps of specialist practitioners such as Ross Lewis, Mark Graham, Liam Tully, Tony Eastlake, Nick Rogerson, Martin Hodgson, Trevor Fairclough. Industry integration with our partners will take the form of opportunities for group organised and/or individually negotiated practitioner talks, workshops and projects providing practical experience within simulated projects as well as offering the opportunity for external work placements, and project realisation. Previous placements within our technical department have taken place with: RB Group, Sage Gateshead, Live Theatre, Durham Gala, Mathew Bourne, Northern Stage, Alphabetti Theatre, Theatre Royal Newcastle, Playhouse Whitley Bay, Mortal Fools and Dance City. This course is ideally suited to students who will thrive following an intensive practical environment and who are technically minded. You should be inquisitive in the development of your skills, knowledge, creative and leadership abilities as technicians and have an interested in supporting live events. So, if you are keen to develop a breadth of skills and knowledges across production including sound, lighting, and video then this is the course for you. Previous students from the Performance Academy technical programmes have successful careers in both the music and theatre industries, working within live performance production, as technicians, lighting and sound operators, lighting and sound designers, in addition to related careers in the cultural and creative arts sectors.