Stagecraft Institute Las Vegas

"It's about what and who you know!"

Why SILV?
Forty years of involvement in theatre education brought SILV founder and director Don Childs to a simple conclusion: it is almost impossible for traditional educational institutions to train live entertainment production technicians at the level required in today’s arena.

In most schools, faculty have limited experience with state-of-the-art technology and school facilities lack the budget to acquire emerging industry standard equipment and systems. Time constraints effectively dictate that learning in a university situation is limited to current production needs. Though this is a valuable training device, it limits new skill learning opportunities for both students and faculty.

Students who choose not to go to college have no place to turn for training that would make them employable in state-of-the-art live entertainment technology. The financial and time cost of attending four years of college to learn a skill set that borders on archaic prevents many talented young people from pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.

Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas strives to fill a need that traditional schools cannot provide.

Why Vegas?
It's all about the experience ... and anyone looking for a broad spectrum of experience will find it in Las Vegas! Starting with shows like Jubilee -- developed nearly three decades ago and still running today, right up to Kà -- Cirque du Soleil's biggest show which astounds audiences with its amazing mechanics and effects, entertainment technology has been defined by the Vegas model. Las Vegas is the home of emerging technologies, new technology developers and manufacturers, and a growing demand for technicians trained in these cutting-edge technologies.

Tell me and I will forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand.

Hands-on Training
SILV is dedicated to teaching by doing. All of the instructors at SILV are individuals who believe in the hands-on approach. They are also all working professionals who know what is important and are dedicated to sharing their experiences with the students. Every week at SILV is hands-on.

Earn Credit
All SILV classes are eligible to earn teacher professional development credit. Interested students will be given the necessary forms and information on the first day of class.