Students in the three-year Backstage Academy training program are fully immersed in the work of live event production. Working alongside highly respected industry professionals, they use best-in-class equipment — including Riedel’s Artist and Bolero intercom systems — in state-of-the-art studio spaces to hone their skills in creating exceptional live experiences.

“We’re training tomorrow’s professionals, so it’s important that we get the best and most current gear in front of these students,” said Backstage Industry Partnership Director Miles Marsden. “We’re proud that our students graduate with cutting-edge skills, immediately ready to fill any shortages in the industry as it bounces back to pre-pandemic levels. Our close partnership with Riedel helps make this possible.”

Founded in July 2009, Backstage Academy developed a reputation as a center of excellence for backstage training, specializing in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, short courses, and bespoke training programs for the live event and creative industries. As a Backstage Academy partner, Riedel supplied an Artist digital matrix intercom system and Bolero wireless intercom antennas and beltpacks to the campus, which is part of the renowned Production Park facilities in Yorkshire.

“Our stage management courses heavily focus on comms, and Bolero really is a great system to teach on,” said Backstage Technical Director Gareth Welbourn. “We were all stunned by the robust quality of the system, and its ease of use makes teaching super-effective. The students really love Bolero, and the more features we introduce, the more their jaws drop. Within half an hour of showing students the system, they’re configuring it and thinking about new possibilities, changing stuff around. It’s brilliant.”

Backstage Academy students used Riedel’s intercom systems during training and in producing their end-of-year showcase, “Live Again.” The live-streamed, theatrical multistage show told the story of the live event industry’s struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic. Produced in Studio One, Production Park’s largest studio, the ambitious final project put into practice everything students have learned during the training program — and pushed their skill sets to the next level.