The most stable career paths in theatre and film are often behind the scenes. From design and production to company management and promotion, it takes a team of talented individuals to get a show up and running.
For 2011 theatre graduate, Fred T. Paul, studying theatre production management at Auburn prepared him in many ways for his job at Olney Theatre Center in Olney, Md.
While at Auburn, Paul served as a stage manager and assistant stage manager for several shows.
Paul said one of the most memorable productions was "Little Shop of Horrors," where he was frequently a stand-in during rehearsals.
"'Little Shop' was fun," Paul said, laughing. "I had to learn all the choreography, including the Ronettes' dances, because someone was sick every night."
As an associate production manager, Paul books artists' travel, contracts designers and directors and coordinates production meetings for the Olney Theatre Center.
Paul said the friendships he made as a student have led to job opportunities in the theatre.
"This field is all about networking," Paul said. "Make friends. Talk to people. The people you work with now will like you and promote you."
Stewart Ives graduated from Auburn in 2010 with a degree in theatre design and technology. As a student, Ives also worked on productions as a sound or lighting designer. Most recently, Ives was a guest sound designer for "9 to 5: The Musical."
Ives reflected on lessons he picked up while working with former Auburn University Theatre technical director Pip Gordon.
"She was a really good instructor who taught me how to resolve problems and that it's really important to know how to talk to people, to understand and communicate," Ives said.
After working at Center Stage as multimedia coordinator for a couple years, Ives accepted a position as technical specialist for Activate the Space, a visual technology company in Baltimore, Md.
"I really miss theatre," Ives said. "Theatre's more of a challenge. It's a lot of collaboration on a grand scale and trying to figure out what someone is thinking when they give you a note."
At Center Stage, Ives worked with casts of talented actors from on-and-off Broadway.
Center Stage produces up to seven plays and musicals annually, and Ives said he enjoyed the fast-paced, changing environment of professional theatre.
Another Auburn theatre design and technology alumnus is Drew Holden.
Holden works for Atlanta Rigging Systems, an entertainment rigging company serving the touring, film and corporate event industry, where he designs structures that support sets for film and television.
In Atlanta, Holden has been part of production teams for "Anchor Man 2," "Family Feud," "The Fast and the Furious" franchise, and "X-Men: First Class," among others. Last year, he toured with the Zac Brown Band as a tour rigger and automation technician.
Besides design and construction, Holden learned leadership skills while studying and working at the Auburn theatre department.
"I definitely learned how to manage people and manage myself around people, various personalities and how they mix," Holden said.
Holden explained that the Atlanta film market is strong for those looking for jobs in production, event planning and entertainment.
Like Ives, Holden misses aspects of working in a theatre environment.
"Occasionally [rigging] involves some artistic element, but more often than not, I am supporting someone else's work," Holden said. "Whether that's providing a truss hanging from motors to support lighting, or a massive ground supported truss structure to support backings for film, or designing support structures for six-sided video gears."
In his free time, Holden said he is exploring outlets to express his creativity with dancers, acrobats, circus performers and other designers in Atlanta.
"Right now I'm using my job as an opportunity to support side projects," Holden said. "I'm getting back into some performance like Lyra and aerial work."
Paul, Ives and Holden promoted networking, communication and creativity as some tools for success in a production career.
For graduates in technical theatre, prospects appear to be boundless.
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