Description

Will your next job be backstage?

The Technical Academy is your chance to experience working behind the scenes in theatre and live events. Successful applicants will be offered a grant - so there are no financial barriers to stop people taking part.

Ever considered a career working in Technical Production? Want to find out what it’s all about?
The Technical Academy is hands-on Production training for people with little or no experience, taught by the technicians who do it for real.

If you’re 18+ and live in London, our three-week training programme could be your next step towards a brand new career. Everyone is welcome.

Find out about the range of work that happens backstage in creative venues – from building stages, rigging lights and setting up drum kits, to designing sound, lighting and audio visual effects. The Technical Academy is your chance to learn the basics, see how technicians work, and discover the need-to-knows for getting work in the industry.

When it is:

Monday 6th January - Friday 24th January 2025 - 0900 - 1800
In addition to the training, each participant has the chance to shadow a technician for one evening shift at the Southbank Centre or in one of our partner venues. This takes place on a weekday or weekend up to Sunday 2 February.
If your application is successful for Technical Academy, we will confirm your schedule in advance.

What you'll do:

Get up close to technical production in some of London’s most iconic venues
Meet our technicians and see how they work – from building stages to rigging lights and unloading trucks
Learn about health and safety and how to work together as a team
Find out how to find work and start your career in the industry

As a live events technician, some (but not all) of the tasks can be quite physical. Here are some of the things you may take part in on the course:

Manual handling: lifting, pushing and moving heavy equipment, building staging and structures
Rigging and focusing lighting, sound and AV equipment
Operating lighting and sound desks
Setting up backline equipment such as microphones, pianos, drum kits, amplifiers and music stands
Hanging projection screens

We are offering a full grant to participants:

Southbank Centre offers a grant - which we process in instalments - to help Technical Academy participants take part. We will also give you lunch on training days and cover your travel costs (London travel zones 1 – 6) to the Southbank Centre and to our partner venues that you visit on the programme.

The Southbank Centre provides:

All the tools you need for the course
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – that’s boots, gloves, a hard hat and hi-vis jacket - yours to keep

Why we have launched the Technical Academy:

The Southbank Centre delivers Technical Academy in partnership with The Albany, Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT), ATG, Factory International, Livewire Productions, National Theatre, Omnii Collective, Roundhouse, Royal Albert Hall, RNSS and The Production House.
We all feel that people don’t know enough about the career opportunities in Technical Production. We want to show you what’s possible and help you get started.
And we want to encourage new people into the sector – especially those from under-represented communities.

Have any questions?

Please read the attached Guidance and FAQs document, which can be found at the bottom of this page
on either Wednesday 9th October at 13:00 or Monday 14th October at 17:30Or you can
sign up to our Zoom information sessions

Or contact emergingartists@southbankcentre.co.uk if you want to talk anything through
Deadline for applications is 23.59, Sunday 20th October 2024.

What people are saying about their Technical Academy experience
“I now have a way into the arts and am able to do something I’m really passionate about”
Winson, 25

“The real reason I am able to discuss training opportunities and work is because Technical Academy offered me the tools necessary to catch people’s interest.”
Yasmin, 35

“Expanding my knowledge in Technical Production and different roles in live events and theatre. It’s opened up a whole new world for me, which I’m excited to explore!”
Dee, 25

Skills Required

Live Event
Live Performance
Rigging

People who have worked with Southbank Centre

View all

Lauraine Bailey
- Fashion & Hair Stylist / Junior Photographer
- Freelance, Marks and Spencer
Carl Baldwin
- Creative Artworker
- Wolff Olins
Jeremy Carne
- Sr Creative / Digital Art Director
Tracy L.M
- Visual Artist
- Models of Diversity, Big Sky Studios, TIAGI Production