Lancaster County entertainment venue Rock Lititz began a new chapter Friday with the launch of a program that gives students hands-on experience while also earning their degrees.
Rock Lititz's Live Technology Academy has opened its newly constructed education facility to welcome students from the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Live Experience Design and Production program.
Rock Lititz has partnered with Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster and UK-based production park Academy of Live Technology (formerly Backstage Academy) to create the Academy of Live Technology at Rock Lititz.
Students majoring in Live Experience Design and Production will take courses at the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design Downtown Lancaster campus and create in digital labs and production spaces in the new Academy of Live Technology building on the Rock Lititz campus.
“The live entertainment industry has experienced strong growth in recent years, and Rock Lititz is committed to supporting the next generation of talent needed to continue creating innovative live experiences,” Andrea Shirk, president and CEO of Rock Lititz, said in a news release.
The new building will feature 22,400 square feet of custom classrooms, production space, digital labs and student common areas over two floors, with the option to expand to a third floor to accommodate future needs. The building also includes a fourth rehearsal studio and will provide students with hands-on experience in production techniques, including audio and lighting skills, across 45,800 square feet of open space.
Studio 4 will host student projects, product demonstrations and technical training sessions. Student coursework will be primarily hands-on, providing hands-on practice with the technologies currently used in building shows and simulating the real-life show experience.
“ALT is an opportunity to impact the level and access to training available in the live entertainment industry, as well as explore new and alternative approaches to college life in general,” said Shirk. “Students will become industry professionals from day one, learning next to experts in their fields and working on active projects. Penn College of Art and Design's hands-on approach combined with traditional classroom learning is sure to provide a unique and immersive path for young professionals to advance their careers while continuing their education.”
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design added a Live Experience Design major in 2021 to better prepare art and design students for opportunities in this growing industry.
“We are pleased that PCA&D, with the support of our partners at Rock Lititz ALTs, has created a world-class live experiential design degree for our students,” Jim Warner, chairman of the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's board of trustees, said in a news release.
Rock Lititz is a production community with production rehearsal facilities on a 108-acre campus in Warwick Township, about 45 minutes from Harrisburg.
