Creative Venue Technician

About the course

Operating under the direction and supervision of a production arts technical management team, Creative Venue Technicians (CVTs) provide technical support for the construction, rehearsal, presentation and removal of a live performance, for audience or camera. CVTs play an active role in the technical operation across a variety of established creative venues, for example, theatres, arts centres and broadcast studios. CVTs will be multi-skilled across a wide range of technical disciplines and possess a broad level of knowledge relevant to the diverse environment in which they operate. CVTs will be competent in lighting, audio, video and building services related to the performance arts and apply them to their resident premises and / or production. They will also be skilled in stagecraft techniques such as carpentry, operating stage machinery and performing scene changes. This will allow them to set up, rig, operate, maintain and repair technical equipment as used in creative venues to facilitate the rehearsal and presentation of live performance e.g. scenery, luminaires, fixtures, audio and video apparatus. They can read, interpret and give appropriate technical information to colleagues and clients. They can safely use a variety of tools to assemble, install and maintain scenery and equipment for stage and screen. Emphasis will be placed on undertaking tasks both autonomously and as part of a team, taking ownership of the output standard. With guidance, CVTs will use their skills to realise and respond to the development of the creative team’s vision as well as the upkeep of their resident venue or touring production. This will involve, for example, focussing lanterns, fitting radio mics, assembling scenery and programming lighting, audio, video, automation and other control systems. They will undertake venue maintenance duties such as housekeeping, re-lamping, painting and basic venue repair work.