As tours and festivals continue at quite the pace, the industry conversation continues regarding labor shortages. From shops to festival fields, recruiting, training, and mentoring are priorities. And it isn’t just about finding help to take a job, it is about finding people to join the industry. It is about instilling a passion to do one of this industry’s many roles; about mentoring a desire to learn the various crafts; and helping new people to find the satisfaction and joy in the hard work and commitment it takes to ‘put on a show’. It is also about reaching out to those who don’t see their path into the industry and those who are underrepresented in the industry.
In the pages of PLSN we try to highlight the various efforts being made to offer opportunities of mentorship and training. Last month we covered the Academy of Live Technology at Rock Lititz. In previous months we looked at Disguise’s Virtual Production Accelerator Program hosted with various partners; the LMG CoiL Learning Center; and printed Laura Frank’s thoughtful keynote on Fearless Collaboration—Why the Next Generation is Essential for Success. All opportunities to grow our industry.
This month I want to give over the remainder of my Editor’s Note space to the Well Dunn Foundation’s latest news. Well Dunn is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for socioeconomically diverse students across the music and entertainment industry. One of our industry’s most enthusiastic mentors, David ‘5-1’ Norman recently stepped down from serving as the Foundation’s President due to increasing touring commitments. During his tenure he paved the way for hundreds of Well Dunn students to thrive in the music industry. Since joining Well Dunn in 2020, Norman helped create the Well Dunn Mentorship Program as well as the job shadowing initiative. Well Dunn noted in their statement that Norman’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in shaping the foundation’s mission.
“David ‘5-1’ Norman has been a driving force in the exponential growth of Well Dunn,” says Well Dunn Executive Director Nancy Tarr. “I am grateful for his dedication to our program and the groundswell of support. David’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of emerging music professionals is infectious and I am thrilled he’s remaining on Well Dunn’s board.” Longtime board member Jacqueline Barsotti, the Chief Executive Optimist and founder of Suite Treatments, will assume the Presidency of Well Dunn. Also joining the Board of Directors will be Leah Espinoza, a Well Dunn alumnus.
Norman noted, “Joining the Well Dunn board in 2020 marked the beginning of an incredible journey. During my tenure, Well Dunn extended its reach, supporting students from nearly all 50 states through mentorships, internships, and shadowing opportunities. This achievement stands as a testament to the dedication of my touring colleagues and friends whose passion, work ethic, and commitment to nurturing the younger generation were invaluable. Together, we significantly broadened our efforts to foster diversity and inclusion. Passing the leadership torch to Jacqueline Barsotti fills me with pride. Having worked closely with her over the past years, I am confident that she embodies the vision and dedication necessary to propel Well Dunn forward. I eagerly anticipate the exciting journey ahead and have complete confidence that Jacqueline will navigate Well Dunn to unprecedented success.”
Well Dunn offers assistance for hundreds of college students, providing mentorship, scholarship opportunities, internships, and job placement to help guide and support these future leaders in achieving their goals. Established in 2012, the Well Dunn Foundation was inspired by the remarkable legacy of Emily Dunn, a passionate and engaged young professional in the entertainment industry. After experiencing the transformative power of 2005’s Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, TN alongside her mother, Deborah Dunn, Emily pursued a career working at music festivals nationwide. Tragically, Emily’s life was cut short in 2011, but her unwavering commitment to leadership, integrity, confidence, and passion lives on through the work of Well Dunn. Indeed, the Well Dunn Foundation’s primary focus is to identify and reward aspiring individuals who embody Emily’s exceptional qualities. Participants in Well Dunn’s initiatives have secured coveted paid internships with prestigious entertainment companies such as The Recording Academy, Music Matters Productions, Superfly, and many more. Well Dunn has numerous partnerships where they place students in paid internship opportunities. At Well Dunn they like to say a Well Dunn internship is your last internship as many of their students are hired following their internship.
Now in its second decade of empowering the next generation of entertainment industry leaders, Well Dunn remains committed to its mission of mentorship, education, and fostering diverse talent. Through its efforts, Well Dunn continues to shape the landscape of music and entertainment, ensuring a brighter and more inclusive future for aspiring professionals. For more information about the Well Dunn Foundation, its initiatives, or to get involved as a partner please visit www.welldunn.org.
Michael S. Eddy
Editor, Projection, Lights & Staging News
