You're about to start a career in event production. How do you choose the right college or university? (2024)

A áera de eventos possui uma multidiciplinaidade que permite basicamente qualquer curso render aproveitamento para carreira. É preciso verificar na grade do curso qual opção lhe oferecerá disciplinas que envolvam gestão, logística e criatividade.

Translated

Your interests are a key to what you need to study. Aspiring Technical Directors should go to a program that is tailored to Construction and Maintenance, like North Carolina School of the Arts, or Rutgers University. Taking an extra couple to complete an MFA is likely important to be a fully qualified entry level Technical Director. Remember, in professional production there are high walls between technicians and creatives. If you want to design or direct, a strong liberal arts background is best, supplemented with masters level training in Studio Art, and Stage and film design: Sets, props, lights, costumes, and sound. I am a Stage Manager and Set Designer. I've earned 1.5 million dollars in the last 25 years. I have a BA in History.

When you look at curriculum, go big or go home. Want to be a producer? Maybe take a degree in Financial engineering from Princeton. You want to be a socially relevant playwright? Go to Oxford and read PPE: Politics Philosophy and Economics. Want to design sets? Study Stage design, but beef it up with languages, literature, architecture, and art history electives. You want to be a gaffer? Study whatever you want so long as it challenges your brain, and see if your area professional technical union. IATSE in the USA and Canada, has an apprentice program. Where ever you go, seek the best and brightest in your field and Network, Network, Network.

In the USA many State Colleges and Universities have excellent programs in all fields mentioned above. State Schools are a bargain compared with private Colleges. You can also save money by attending community college for the first two years of a BA program. When I taught at Bucks County, (PA), Community College they had a cooperative program with Temple University to save students money and allow them to complete a four year degree. See if there is a publication like "Scholarships, Fellowships and Loans", where you can research broad financing options for your education. As to return, I've worked for Colleges and Universities most of my career. I own house, have health coverage and $500K in my retirement fund.

If you plan a campus visit, plan in advance. Arrange meetings with teachers and students if possible. Most programs I've worked with encourage and support formal and informal visits.

Working in the performing arts is an emotional, immersive experience. It is also a business. Producers need to be detached, realistic and efficient. Really advanced understanding of budget and management skills is essential. Producers need to get schooling that gives them an edge. My best take: Go somewhere that teaches you how to make money by spending money. Excessive micromangement and small change budget adjustments are deadly. The right investment in people and resources drives winning productions. Learn how. If you can get in to Harvard Business School or Wharton, go for it. You'll be able to produce live events, and pretty much manage any kind of business.