TDC training supports theatre and live production students

September 6, 2022

The Sydney-based Technical Direction Company (TDC) has introduced a new training and support initiative that aims to back students and graduates across live production and theatre courses.

Students and graduates of the VET (Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services) and BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) courses at Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) will receive support from TDC, in the form of practical experience with a variety of contemporary video technologies and entertainment industry best practice.

With the events industry - which was once worth $36 billion a year - returning after the pandemic, the support is based on TDC’s commitment to training and development to generate new talent and business opportunities across the live production sector.

Acknowledging the backing, Graham Henstock, Director - Centre for Technology, Production and Management at NIDA, stated “TDC is one of NIDA’s major partners.

“TDC regularly provide us with teaching assistance, technical expertise, and access to video equipment for live performance. TDC supports an annual scholarship for a student. TDC’s valued support has allowed all our students to learn and experience technology and new ways of working that wouldn’t otherwise be accessible.”

Industry-led training and development
NIDA’s BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) is a 15 month course places emphasis on practical experience with a module lasting three months that focuses on the theory and art of video design, basic video design principals in display technology and systems as well as planning, pre visualisation and programming.

TDC carries out further training sessions, master classes and collaboration with loans equipment for the final module of the course, where students carry out their individual creative projects, designs and work experience.

TDC Technical Manager, Drew Ferors explained “we’ve seen some wonderful, refreshing and creative applications of technology from some genius minds who are so eager to learn – some methods even we haven’t discovered or experimented with yet.”

Ferors noted that even after NIDA graduation “TDC delivers technical training to graduates and new recruits using a classroom-based environment with support and assessments developed in-house by TDC giving further access to the best entertainment technology and expertise to develop skills long after graduation.”

TDC also sponsors a NIDA VET student each year to help with their studies.

Images: NIDA's 2022 production of Seagull (top) and its 2017 production of Love and Money (below). Credit: NIDA.

25th August 2022 - Pollstar rankings show resurgence of Australian live entertainment in first half of 2022

11th August 2022 - Western Australian performing arts industry celebrates outstanding achievements

11th August 2022 - The P.A. People launch TheatreQuip range of theatre hoists at ICC Sydney

10th August 2022 - Concept Design completed for Port Macquarie outdoor ampitheatre

8th August 2022 - Funding boost to deliver new Canberra theatre

5th August 2022 - On The Road Again initiative supports live music and development opportunities at Altona Theatre

2nd August 2022 - TDC spotlight their on-stage technical solutions for Sydney Theatre Company production

11th July 2022 - Australian Performing Arts Exchange to be hosted at NIDA in September

15th June 2022 - Accredited training program looks to address shortage of entertainment technicians

14th June 2022 - TDC delivers largest deployment of laser projector technology for Vivid Sydney

20th May 2022 - TDC provides insights into the technology behind Vivid Sydney

8th July 2021 - VMA says Australia getting vaccinated is the key to live entertainment industry’s road to recovery

31st May 2021 - NIDA looks for a full house of activities this June

28th May 2021 - NIDA to host Australian Performing Arts Exchange in September

1st February 2021 - NIDA and TDC reflect on theatre in the age of video

26th March 2020 - TDC shares insights into its video operation of 2020 Sydney New Year’s Eve spectacular

10th July 2019 - TDC releases new live signage innovation for events and mass gatherings

18th June 2019 - Technical Direction Company helped thrill visitors during 2019 Vivid Sydney

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.