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There are many types of college and post-graduate degrees in the theater
arts, but nothing beats real-life experience.
"A good basic foundation is essential no matter how you get that," Ernie
Yezzi says. He works as a sound technician and handles other tasks behind
the scenes. He recommends learning as much as you can, as well as you can.
"Technicians can get training through two ways," says Chad Croteau, who
has a master of fine arts degree in theater lighting design. "The first is
on-the-job, apprenticeship-style training. The second is through a formal
college or university program."
Hands-on training is great and offers real-life experience you can't find
in a classroom, but some of the technology is too hard to learn on the job.
"The best training is a combination of both work experience and academic training,"
says Croteau.
"Everyone I know in the business fits into one of those categories," says
technical director Anthony Churchill. "This is a quickly changing field, and
staying up to date through technical conferences and publications is crucial."
Julie Ballard has a master's degree in lighting design, with skills in
sound and media design, as well. She says it's good to know what the different
departments do. Taking an introductory theater class can teach you the basics.
Workshops are helpful, too. There are also certificates you can earn, including
one from the Entertainment Technician Certificate Program. "The ETCP is becoming
the thing to do," Ballard says.
Being a certified forklift operator can make you more employable in the
business than a stagehand without training.
You never know what skills will come in handy. Croteau recalls a show
that needed certified scuba divers. Now he tells new technicians to list
all of their skills on their resume.
"Electrical skills, plumbing, hydraulics, computer networking. These are
all things that will be useful to you."
Beginners can learn a lot by volunteering at local events and community
theater productions. "There are so many aspects to putting up a show behind
the scenes that you're bound to fit into one if it interests you," Ballard
says.