Founders Launch is in the works. | Event Technicians Resource Group

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The Mission:

To assemble a core of experienced industry experts willing to help the young achieve success in our field. While the event industry offers many avenues to personal and professional fulfillment, and many doors lead to that goal, knowledge is the key. Whether it’s someone from a college theater program, or a person who began or perhaps still works at loading or lugging equipment during or after high school, what’s needed is the willingness to learn, and those willing to mentor.

Much content offered on this site will be free to basic subscribers while more content will carry a fee via paid memberships.

For those Founders interested in offering training materials in the form of paid courses. I welcome your contact to discuss the benefits and arrangements of either or both categories.

I like to remember that when I taught technical theater in high school it was a joy to discover that when it came to common sense and problem solving, those kids could hold their own in aptitude and application with just about anyone. Teaching can be a joy.

Concurrent with 25 years of teaching, I have a 30 plus year history of working as a freelancer in the theater and the corporate environment. Over the years my students have gone on to become designers, technicians, and producers in the entertainment industry. Many found success as freelancers, full time employees of production companies, and working IATSE union members. My goal was, then as now, that they left my programs with a well rounded set of skills that could carry them forward.

Upon leaving academia I began working events through the local IA of the town I had moved to and found a wide range of knowledge and skills. Many of the long time IA members know their stuff. The newer technicians came from varied backgrounds other than college theater programs. All were eager to learn more and get on more work calls. Though the local offers training when their schedule permits the offerings of proper training of non union technicians is in short supply.

After a while I landed a full time gig running the lighting and rigging departments for a national event production company. Though I found eager and willing technicians in just about all the venues we worked in, I was short of shocked to find how few of them knew the basics of reading a light plot. Much less than knowing about power distribution. Often the most experienced and knowledgeable house technicians were solely part of the rigging crew.

When Covid negatively affected every aspect of many working lives, the events industry, along with theater, concerts, and public gatherings, was particularly hard hit. There’s no doubt it and they will revive more robust than ever. That enforced professional hiatus allowed me time to think about what has been the most inwardly rewarding experience in my career so far. The answer is, my years of helping those with the desire to be successful, and happy, in the industry. The skills needed are vast, varied, and necessary.

Stay well. Through our efforts we bring light, information, and entertainment to the world.