A Fresh Start

Welcome to my WSU Portfolio blog!

Hello Everyone! In starting my coursework for COM 561, I’ve been challenged to come up with a focused topic for the duration of this semester’s assignments. After much thought and deliberation, I’ve decided to use my extensive background in live entertainment production to my advantage.

In my production experience, referred to in the field as tech work, my primary focus for the past 7+ years is related to lighting design and programming for national rock, country, and pop acts. I also specialize in video engineering and sound engineering to a lesser extent.

I want to give you all a behind the scenes look into what goes into a show and highlight the work that entertainment technicians do as the unsung heroes of entertainment production. I challenge you to expand your definition of stagehands (or “roadies”) and learn about the hidden culture and craft that is behind every concert you see. From sound to lighting, get an insider’s view of the processes that bring music alive.

To that end, I’ve partnered with the entertainment manager and tech crew at the Gala Showroom in Jackpot, Nevada to show you the production process. Known as one of the last entertainment showrooms in Northern Nevada, the historic Gala Showroom hosts approximately 250 seats for an intimate concert experience. From world famous and bombastically loud rock acts like Dokken, up and coming country acts like Sam Riggs, and the occasional comedy night or stage magician, the seasoned techs working at the Gala have seen it all.

And in the interest of full disclosure, one of those techs is me! Even though my day job is in marketing, the Gala still holds a place in my heart and I work there as much as I can. While I can’t promise any concert footage due to copyright concerns, I’m looking forward to providing you with interviews from other techs in the field and a look at the work we do to put on every show. I promise you will never look at live sound and lighting the same way again!