3 answers
Syhion
Student
Durham, North Carolina
1
Question
Updated
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What do you think is the best educational path for an aspiring engineer who wants to work on either tour stage design or theme park engineering?
By tour stage design, I don't mean the look of the stage but of the interworkings of performance stages for example Beyonce's stage when she's performing
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3 answers
Luke Haynes
Electrical Engineer
4
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Luke’s Answer
Hi Syhion,
My name is Luke Haynes, I share your passion for fusing theater and engineering. I have worked for the past 7 years as an Electrical Engineer at Walt Disney World, both in their theme parks, and with the entertainment venues on their cruise ships, including helping with the theatrical automation systems you're discussing.
My path here involved double majoring in Electrical Engineering and Theater at the University of Alabama. While there, I sought out electives in both programs that focused on the principles and technologies utilized in theatrical automation. On the Engineering side, the most helpful ones proved to be courses on Programmable Logic Controllers (or PLCs), Motors and Drives, and Control Systems. On the Theater side, that included Scenic Design, Prop Design, and an independent study where I worked with one of my professors to explore Theatrical Automation concepts.
While I had to make my own path, I know there are other schools out there who have some degree programs specifically for this. For example, Purdue university has a Theater Engineering degree and the University of North Carolina School for the Arts has a graduate program for Stage Automation. Even if these schools aren't the right fit for you, going online to see what kind of classes they offer and what concepts they focus on can help drive your decisions in choosing electives and picking class projects at whatever school you do attend.
Another great path forward is to find the companies that are doing this now and go to their websites to see what their job listings are and what kind of requirements they're looking for. Probably the biggest name in theatrical automation is TAIT (they're who built the automation for Beyonce's Renaissance Tour). They're a global company who works with the best of the best making these systems, and they're always hiring engineers, technicians, IT professionals, etc. Feel free to browse around their website and see if any of those job descriptions peak your interest, and maybe that's something you can pursue. Other companies of interest might include PRG (Production Resource Group) or, if you're looking for smaller scale, Creative Conners.
Hopefully this gives you a good starting place. If you're looking for more insight, try going to LinkedIn or Google and searching keywords like "Theatrical Automation" or "Entertainment Engineering" and see what comes up. The industry is growing more and more every day, so many of these paths aren't super well charted, but even if you have to blaze your own trail, it can be done. Best of luck out there!
Check out Purdue's Theater Engineering Degree: https://engineering.purdue.edu/ENE/Academics/Undergrad/MDE/PlansofStudy/theatre-engineering
Check out UNCSA's Stage Graduate pProgram: https://www.uncsa.edu/design-production/graduate-programs/stage-automation.aspx
Check out TAIT's website (particularly the Careers page): https://www.taittowers.com/
My name is Luke Haynes, I share your passion for fusing theater and engineering. I have worked for the past 7 years as an Electrical Engineer at Walt Disney World, both in their theme parks, and with the entertainment venues on their cruise ships, including helping with the theatrical automation systems you're discussing.
My path here involved double majoring in Electrical Engineering and Theater at the University of Alabama. While there, I sought out electives in both programs that focused on the principles and technologies utilized in theatrical automation. On the Engineering side, the most helpful ones proved to be courses on Programmable Logic Controllers (or PLCs), Motors and Drives, and Control Systems. On the Theater side, that included Scenic Design, Prop Design, and an independent study where I worked with one of my professors to explore Theatrical Automation concepts.
While I had to make my own path, I know there are other schools out there who have some degree programs specifically for this. For example, Purdue university has a Theater Engineering degree and the University of North Carolina School for the Arts has a graduate program for Stage Automation. Even if these schools aren't the right fit for you, going online to see what kind of classes they offer and what concepts they focus on can help drive your decisions in choosing electives and picking class projects at whatever school you do attend.
Another great path forward is to find the companies that are doing this now and go to their websites to see what their job listings are and what kind of requirements they're looking for. Probably the biggest name in theatrical automation is TAIT (they're who built the automation for Beyonce's Renaissance Tour). They're a global company who works with the best of the best making these systems, and they're always hiring engineers, technicians, IT professionals, etc. Feel free to browse around their website and see if any of those job descriptions peak your interest, and maybe that's something you can pursue. Other companies of interest might include PRG (Production Resource Group) or, if you're looking for smaller scale, Creative Conners.
Hopefully this gives you a good starting place. If you're looking for more insight, try going to LinkedIn or Google and searching keywords like "Theatrical Automation" or "Entertainment Engineering" and see what comes up. The industry is growing more and more every day, so many of these paths aren't super well charted, but even if you have to blaze your own trail, it can be done. Best of luck out there!
Luke recommends the following next steps:
Dan Wolf
Retired Electrical/Software Engineer and part-time College Professor (BSEET and MS Engineering Management)
135
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Dan’s Answer
Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA offers a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Production Engineering. This may be what you are looking for: Engineering for Stage Design.
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
154
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Syhion,
I have picked up info that might be of interest to you.
Audio Engineering fits well with your aspirations. The course focuses on the principles & practices of sound recording, mixing and production. Career opportunities are available in recording studios, live bands on stage, film, television. Audio Engineers are also involved in music software development.
Top universities include Berklee college of music, Drexel university, Belmont university, Middle Tennessee State University.
I have picked up info that might be of interest to you.
Audio Engineering fits well with your aspirations. The course focuses on the principles & practices of sound recording, mixing and production. Career opportunities are available in recording studios, live bands on stage, film, television. Audio Engineers are also involved in music software development.
Top universities include Berklee college of music, Drexel university, Belmont university, Middle Tennessee State University.