The Academy runs degree courses and short courses that cover the variety of creative and technical skills needed to work backstage in live events production. Based at state-of-the-art facilities in Wakefield, North UK, it also offers custom training programmes for entertainment industry professionals seeking to boost their knowledge or career prospects, with training in rigging, event safety, temporary electrical systems, stage pyrotechnics and much more.
The Academy launched to a European and global audience at the Prolight+Sound show in Frankfurt last week.
Said PR & marketing manager Rachel Esson, "In the first two days of the show we took enquiries for training from professionals from Taiwan, South Africa, Japan, Russia, Kenya, Switzerland, Germany and the UK. Most people, especially from outside of Europe, report a real need for practical and theoretical industry education in their countries, with little or no current provision.
"Places like South Africa are home to an increasing number of large-scale events, but the growth of the industry is not equally supported by a growth in quality education."
Backstage Academy plans to take its rigging training and other short courses to a number of production companies overseas, and is currently looking at the potential to provide its Live Events Production Foundation Degree in certain countries.
(Jim Evans)
