Backstage 101
2025-2026 Learning Collaborative
Registration for the 2025-2026 Backstage 101 learning collaborative has ended. Please fill out this form if you are interested in learning about future backstage-related learning opportunities at the UIS Performing Arts Center.
WHAT: Join us for a year-long learning collaborative examining the backstage and technical aspects of theater and live performance events. Are you a teacher who has responsibilities for operating technical aspects of events at your school? Are you a high school student interested in learning more about backstage work so you can assist at your school and/or consider possible paid work in this field? Are you a community member who wants to become more involved or more knowledgeable about backstage work? All these are great reasons to register for our Backstage 101 yearlong learning collaborative!
WHO: Anyone age 15 to 100! In addition to community members, we also encourage participation by K-12 teachers, and students who have completed at least one year of high school curriculum.
WHERE: UIS Performing Arts Center and other local venues
WHEN: The program will start with a two-hour orientation in October 2025. Unique sessions covering a range of backstage and technical topics will then be offered from October 2025 through April 2026. Participants will select sessions based on their availability and interest, with the requirement that participants attend the orientation and a minimum of six (6) individual sessions to complete the program. All learning collaborative participants are welcome to attend all sessions.
GOALS OF THE PROGRAM:
- Provide hands-on training and expert-led instruction in backstage and technical skills for theater and live events
- Equip students, educators, and volunteers with adaptable, real-world skills to enhance productions in schools, community theaters, and local performance settings
- Raise the overall quality and safety of local theatrical productions through education on industry standards and best practices
- Expand the local pool of trained technical staff to support productions at UIS PAC and throughout the region
- Foster connections and collaboration among participants, local artists, and industry professionals to build a stronger technical theater community
This is not a UIS credit-bearing course, but an opportunity for hands-on learning in a survey-type format at the UIS Performing Arts Center. Individual sessions will be led by a range of individuals from the local arts and live event community. Principal facilitators of the learning collaborative will be David Hecht, UIS PAC Production Manager; Justine Moser, UIS PAC Education Coordinator; and Carly Shank, UIS PAC Local Arts & Arts Education Program Director.
Questions?
Contact any of our facilitating staff:
David Hecht, UIS PAC Production Manager, dhech3@uis.edu
Justine Moser, UIS PAC Education Coordinator, jmose4@uis.edu
Carly Shank, UIS PAC Local Arts & Arts Education Program Director, carmi1@uis.edu, (217) 206-8286
Click here to view – frequently asked questions about Backstage 101
Click here for fall session schedule
COST: Thanks to the generosity of donors, UIS PAC education endowments, and the department’s commitment to this initiative, the cost to participate is just $95 for the year.
We believe cost should never be a barrier to learning. Fee support is available for anyone engaging with the local live events community for whom the fee would prevent participation. Simply mark your interest in fee support near the end of the registration form.
POSSIBLE SESSION TOPICS:
Dates and topics for sessions will be announced as they are scheduled. Most sessions will be a blend of presentation and discussion and will be 60-90 minutes in length. Early sessions will be mostly exploratory in nature, with later sessions having more of a learning laboratory-type feel. Topics include:
- Sound design basics
- Sound mixing and board operation
- Lighting design basics
- Lighting board operation
- Set design
- Set construction
- Set painting techniques
- Props best practices
- Costume design and coordination
- Stage management best practices
- Rigging (not a certification course)
- Careers in live events
- Production timelines
- Making wish lists for equipment and supplies; timelines, borrowing, and swaps
- Being advocates for your performance spaces
All sessions will be offered on weeknight evenings and on the weekends. As sessions are added, the session list will be updated on our webpage.
