Upping the ante in automation training

As one of the leading specialists in the field of automation Stage Technologies has recognised that improving the level of automation training in Higher Education is imperative if the needs of this rapidly-expanding theatre discipline are to be met. To this end the company was instrumental in organising the first UK Education Symposium on the subject which was hosted by the Centre for Excellence in Training for Theatre based at the Central School of Speech and Drama in Swiss Cottage, London.

Delegates attended from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Guildford School of Acting, Rose Bruford College, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the event was chaired by Ric Green from Opera North.

Despite being competitors in theory, there was a strongly optimistic atmosphere of cooperation amongst the educationalists present and a unanimous agreement of the real need to develop automation training. This need exists for those directly involved in this equipment’s maintenance and operation but it was also clear that all future designers, managers and technicians would benefit from an increased understanding of the equipment in order to minimise risks and to maximise its powerful artistic and commercial potential. In a world where the technology is driven by design aspirations, it is also important to ensure that design students have a thorough grasp of what artistic results can be achieved through the range of automation possibilities.

The pressing discussion topics for the symposium were demystifying automation, defining a common goal and unifying education methodology. The group explored positioning automation within the curriculum and finding ways to best serve the needs of both students and the industry, developing the ability to give mentorship to students that show potential and identifying how to produce tangible outcomes. The potential for postgraduate degrees was also explored, as well as the need for tutors to keep up-to-date themselves with new automation technology.

Steve Macluskie of the RSAMD presented a case study to the Symposium. Steve, who is lecturer of stage technology explained that the RSAMD was the first theatre school in the country to win a funding bid for automation equipment and commit to the research. The requirement was for an ultra-flexible system, which could be used at any point in the grid and Stage Technologies installed the system over a 1-week period in Easter 2008. As an example, the system in RSAMD has been extraordinarily successful and Steve presented the pros and cons of the installation to the attendees.

It was acknowledged by all the participants that competency by degrees is a key characteristic of any education process and that operation and programming are two variants of the automation field.  It was clear that whilst many may be able to achieve a high level of automation operation quite quickly and this will then improve over time there might only be a handful of programmers in the world with the experience and aptitude to fully program a show requiring the incredible precision and interactions of something like a Cirque du Soleil style show.    

It was recognised that there is an element of resistance from within the industry itself: it can often be hard to convince producers and production companies to pay for training although they might hire in specialists who end up being more expensive. Better rounded students emerging from colleges will hopefully dispel this resistance to staff development within production companies creating lower employment turnovers.

The transparent goals and resulting pledges from the symposium were encouraging. Stage Technologies has undertaken the task of helping to create the National Occupation Standards in stage automation. All the delegates agreed to investigate ways to generate opportunities for knowledge transfer, professional development, industry partnerships, and post training. Sharing resources, venues and equipment was investigated as another option for reducing costs in a market that is just beginning to feel the sting of the credit crunch

Whilst this symposium was UK-focussed Stage Technologies continues to develop links with universities and colleges overseas as an increasingly international market-place encourages graduates to move around the globe seeking jobs and further education. Nikki Scott, Stage Technologies Commercial Director commented: ‘Our company recognises the need to encourage generic automation training in all geographic market-places.  We believe that this training will provide a sustainable platform on which automation installations can be serviced and, most importantly be utilised to best effect to support the artistic aspirations of any venue.’

After the success of the Stage Technologies Student Open Day held at Curve in early May this year, further regular open days were requested from the floor with a view for this to lead to embedded foundational training. The proposal of specialist summer schools to give high-level, intensive training and provide a level playing field for interested and talented students was well received After the creation of the first online user forum for theatre educationalists in this field as a central knowledge resource, Stage Technologies aims to drive the momentum of this inaugural meeting with “Training Tutors to Train” sessions. With the automation market growing at the current rapid rate, it was universally accepted that upping the ante in training is crucial not just for now, but for the future of theatre in the UK and further afield.