Performing Arts Technology at South Plains College
South Plains College's two-year associate degree program in performing arts technology is designed to keep pace with the needs of a thriving entertainment industry. SPC, the only community college in Texas which offers this unique educational opportunity, provides hand-on training using production equipment that is the industry standard.
You receive training in a multitude of production techniques and are given many opportunities to hone your skills with group and individual work. Because the program is associated with the commercial music program in SPC's Creative Arts Department, there is abundant talent available for projects. Proper operation of production equipment is emphasized.
You begin learning production techniques by creating short-form productions including music videos and commercials. During the second year, projects include events such as full-scale music concerts and production of variety shows for cable television.
Students enrolled in performing arts technology at SPC work with the same state-of-the-art equipment used by professionals in the field. The studio features advanced video equipment including Sony recording and editing equipment, Grass Valley switcher, three Sony CCD professional studio cameras and 20-foot camera boom. The studio also features Dubner graphics equipment and Ampex digital optics. The program's Strand Century lighting system is designed to meet the critical demands of video recording and concert performance. Intellabeam articulated lighting controller and instruments are the newest addition to the lighting inventory. The heart of the audio system is a Sony 36-channel automated mixing console and 24-track recorder. A Dyaxis digital audio workstation, microphones and sound reinforcement and monitoring equipment are also accessible.
The cornerstone of the program is the Tom T. Hall Production Studio, a 3,700 square foot production center featuring the latest in audio, video and lighting equipment. The versatile studio serves as a large sound stage to accommodate live performances with live audiences. Adjoining the production studio is the Redd Stewart Television Studio which is used by students as a project laboratory. Audio and video control rooms and construction shop complete the production studio complex in the Creative Arts Building. Another complete television production studio located in SPC's Communications Building and the college's Theater for the Performing Arts are also used by students in the program.
The two-year performing arts technology program includes 68 semester credit hours of course work that will prepare you for a career as a performing arts technician. Completion the curriculum awards a Associate of Applied Science degree. The program combines a series of specialty courses in performing arts technology and other disciplines. The curriculum includes the following courses:
Other courses include photography, television production, writing for television, radio and film, microcomputer applications and business and professional speech. For more specific information about the performing arts technology curriculum and course descriptions, please consult the current General Catalog.
Performing arts technology involves all of the technical aspects of producing a variety of entertainment events--from preparing a stage for a lecture to setting up a large-scale music concert. Technicians are trained to operate video equipment including cameras, recorders, switchers, editors and graphics equipment. Operation of computer-controlled lighting and sound recording and reinforcement equipment is also an important part of any production.
Employment opportunities for the performing arts technician are numerous within the diverse and ever-changing entertainment industry. Job positions can be pursued at television stations and motion picture studios, sound recording studios, theme parks, night clubs, advertising agencies, churches, video production houses, radio stations, convention and civic centers, and with concert touring groups. The goal of the performing arts technology program is to equip you with the entry level skills necessary to secure a job in the industry.
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