Responding to the live entertainment industry immense rebound and expected future growth, Rock Lititz is adding an education center to its 108-acre production campus. Partnering with UK-based Academy of Live Technology at Production Park (formerly Backstage Academy) and Lancaster-based PA College of Art & Design (PCA&D), the team announces the Academy of Live Technology (ALT) at Rock Lititz.
The goal is to support an immersive, experience-driven, technical education at Rock Lititz, while attending general education classes through PCA&D’s downtown Lancaster facilities. Graduates of this unique four-year program will leave with hands-on familiarity to the industry and having earned a four-year BFA degree in Live Experience Design & Production.
“We have an opportunity to impact the level and access of training available within the live entertainment industry, while also exploring new and alternative approaches to the overall college experience,” said Adam Davis, CEO of TAIT and co-owner of Rock Lititz. “Integrating students into the working environment on campus will provide a level of education only gained from firsthand exposure to productions.”
The partnership represents a global expansion for ALT, who has been providing live production, creative, technical and professionals skills to students from their current Production Park location since 2011. ALT Partner and Production Park CEO, Lee Brooks shares, “It has been such an asset to have the school located at Production Park, Europe’s largest industry campus. Rock Lititz offers the same rich community of innovators, experts, industry leaders, rebels and creators—a perfect place for students to learn. There is no better place in the USA for the Academy of Live Technology to land.”
“Having direct access to young talent benefits everyone,” adds Troy Clair, owner of Clair Global and co-owner of Rock Lititz. “Students will become industry professionals on day one, learning next to specialty experts and working on active projects. They will leave with experience and ready to transition onto our crews.”
Construction has begun on the ALT facility at Rock Lititz, which adjoins the existing large-scale rehearsal spaces, Studio 1 and Studio 2. The structure includes 22,400 square feet of classrooms, production space, digital labs and a students’ common area, with the option of expanding to the second and third floors to meet future needs.
A fourth rehearsal space, Studio B is also included in the structure, which will accommodate productions sized for clubs, theaters and small amphitheater venues, while providing PCA&D students with hands-on experiences in production technologies. The 9,300 square-feet Studio B includes 7,000 square feet of open-span space for rehearsals, product demonstrations and technical training sessions. Available for rentals, this area will serve various needs on the campus.
Rock Lititz is eager to welcome students to their already active community. The hands-on approach, mixed with some traditional classroom access promises a new and immersive path for young professionals to earn an education, while also advancing their careers.
Student recruitment has begun, with the intention to welcome the first ALT students by fall 2023, beginning with classes at the downtown PCA&D location. The Rock Lititz campus education center will be ready to welcome students for classes by late spring 2024.
Further information about the Live Experience Design & Production major: https://pcad.edu/live-experience/
Further information from Rock Lititz: www.rocklititz.com
