2024: A year in review at the Academy of Live Technology

The Academy of Live Technology (ALT) has experienced an incredible year of growth, milestones, and accomplishments, cementing our reputation as a leader in live entertainment education. From campus expansions to outreach initiatives and student achievements, here’s a look back at what we accomplished in 2024:

Expanding Horizons: UK and Beyond

This year saw ALT broaden its global reach:

• UKVI Student Sponsor Status: In May, we were officially granted licensed sponsor status by UKVI, paving the way for international undergraduate and postgraduate students to join our programs starting September 2025. This milestone marks a new chapter for ALT as a global educational hub.
• US Campus Launch: In July, we celebrated the opening of our US campus at Rock Lititz in partnership with Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (PCA&D). This unique collaboration delivers a BFA in Live Experience Design & Production, combining on-campus learning with immersive industry integration at Rock Lititz.

With leadership from Sharon Huizinga (Program Director) and Marisa Rinchiuso (Project & Operations Manager), the program provides students with a hands-on education at the forefront of the live entertainment industry.

Empowering Talent through Training

Our short courses team delivered an outstanding year of training:

In the UK:

• 34 Skills Bootcamps provided 2,040 hours of training to 274 participants, equipping them with critical skills for the live entertainment industry.

In Saudi Arabia:

• At Soundstorm, we trained an astonishing 15,818 festival crew over just 8 days, supporting one of the largest events in the region.
• For Beast ED, we trained 72 students over two one-month cohorts, creating a pipeline of skilled professionals for large-scale events.

Partnering with Industry

We owe a special thanks to our valued industry partners for delivering dozens of informative sessions to our students through regular term-time Industry Symposiums. These sessions offered invaluable insights and opportunities, enabling students to expand their networks, enhance their skill sets, and gain first-hand knowledge of cutting-edge industry technologies from the experts who work with them every day.

Students benefited from dozens of expert-led sessions covering topics such as virtual production, live event freelancing, and brand identity. Industry partners like TAIT, 4Wall, HIVE and Live Wire Productions provided invaluable insights.

Enriching the Student Experience

At ALT, we are proud to deliver an education that bridges industry and academia:

Hands on learning:

• Students participated practical demos with Chauvet Lighting and XPLOR.
• 30 students visited Celebrity Cruises to learn about automation and technical systems onboard luxury ships.
• 2 lucky students worked with LiveWire Productions at the Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix
• Students worked on the ALT stage at SXSW 2024 in Austin, Texas

Student Achievements:

• Third-year students showcased their creativity in projects like The Light Within, displayed at Lightwaves Salford, and eSports events, gaining real-world exposure and industry feedback.
• A series of remarkable and innovative 3rd year projects ranging from eSports tournaments, an interactive Murder Mystery game and a large scale version of Space Invaders (to name just a few!)

Hats off to our Alumni

ALT graduates recognised as rising stars in the entertainment production industry, winning accolades for their creativity, technical expertise, and innovation.

Our alumni are making waves across the globe, contributing to exciting projects with industry leaders like 4Wall, disguise, TAIT, and HIVE, to name just a few. Many others are thriving as freelancers, working on a diverse array of captivating live entertainment projects.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year filled with progress and innovation. ALT has grown not only in scale but also in impact, preparing the next generation of live entertainment professionals to thrive in a dynamic, global industry.

Here’s to continuing the momentum and shaping the future of live entertainment in 2025 and beyond!

Are you ready to turn your passion for live technology into a career? At the Academy of Live Technology, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to create unforgettable entertainment experiences. With undergraduate degrees, postgraduate study opportunities, and a range of short courses, we’re here to help you succeed.