Student Employees Ensure the Show Goes On 

There is a specific kind of magic found in attending a live event. First, there's the excitement of purchasing tickets and the build-up to the day of the event. Upon arrival, there's the hustle to find seats and settle in while the curtains are still closed. Attendees are whisked away from the worries of the world and into the realm of the arts where the only thing that matters is the stage in front of them and the wonder of performance.

Every step of this experience at Purdue is supported by the Hall of Music, and the backbone of these events are student employees. Hall of Music Productions and Purdue Convocations are dedicated to training students so they can provide engaging performances and cultural encounters. 

For a typical event students are taught to set up sound systems, turn on the sound board, prepare projectors, work box office sales, load and unload equipment for traveling productions, run video cameras and attend to any production details a client may need. In collaboration with professional staff and Hall of Music student employees, Purdue Convocations pre-professional interns work tirelessly in entertainment programming, production, marketing, education and outreach to engage the public. 

Jonathan Heinz, Event Technician 3 and a senior studying computer science, started his journey in the live event industry during high school running lights for his school’s theater department. Working in the Hall of Music was an opportunity to continue involvement in the arts. After joining the Hall of Music staff, his passion for the live event industry only grew. 

“Purdue students interested in the live event industry are really lucky to have that place to work and immerse yourself in new experiences,” says Heinz, “I found out this was something I wanted to pursue. Everyone in it is wonderful and really patient with new students picking things up and exploring what they can do.” 

Hall of Music Productions supports a wide range of events including concerts, sporting events, alumni panels and more. 

“The variety makes me excited to go into work,” emphasizes Jacob Rice, Event Technician 3 and a senior studying computer engineering technology, “A lot of jobs you know what you’re getting into going in, but the diversity of events on campus can really mix things up. Sometimes when I show up, the event will be a comedy show or maybe a chemical engineering alumni event. At this job, you see all the ways you can have a live event in the first place.” 

Students start their jobs at the Hall of Music as an Event Technician 1, and through time and experience can move through the ranks to be an Event Technician 3. Each level requires learning new skills that many take classes to learn. The chance to work hands-on and be involved in Purdue’s largest events provides excellent experiences that are enjoyed by thousands. 

“My favorite events are the basketball games and the football games that I get to work,” says Noah Farrenkopf, Event Technician 2 and a junior studying electrical engineering technology. “I’m there before the games to set everything up and during.” 

The work of student employees contributes an exciting atmosphere that creates lasting memories for those in attendance. 

“Wherever the camera goes the crowd is electric and you are in control of that,” Farrenkopf says. “To be able to even work in the control room and be a part of the team and create something that thousands of people come to enjoy is an awesome opportunity.” 

“Being a small part of creating the atmosphere in Mackey is an incredibly rewarding experience,” Heinz adds.

When asked about the impact the Hall of Music had on his life, Rice explains, “Working for the Hall of Music gave me the chance to be a part of the bigger picture with events on campus. Here are all these opportunities and if I didn’t work for the Hall I wouldn’t be as invested as I would be. I’d have a lot less appreciation for it. There’s a lot that goes behind the scenes. Knowing it exists was a huge eye opener for me.” 

Beyond the scope of their employment, students in the Hall of Music received support from staff to create a new student organization. LEAP (Live Events and Production) allows students to gain more real-world experiences in live event production. Taking skills that were gained through their work at the Hall of Music, student leaders pass on their knowledge to club members to promote different functions on campus and aid in running lights and sound for many of the concerts on campus.  

“With the skills I’ve learned with lighting through the Hall of Music, I can take that to LEAP and when freshman students come to us, I have knowledge that I can share and pass on,” says Heinz, president and one of the founders of LEAP. “We have training sessions to teach them the technical knowledge. We are putting on six concerts this academic year and the goal of them is for members to get hands on experience.”

LEAP was the idea of full-time staff in the Hall of Music who then presented their idea to many of their highly involved student employees to get the idea off the ground. The founders, now leaders in the organization, pay thanks to the Hall of Music for another great opportunity to stay involved. 

“It's a close-knit group of very passionate people who want to expand their knowledge and build their experience along the way while making good friends,” says Rice, treasurer of LEAP.  

“LEAP has given me a way to express my love for live events and learn even more. All of that stemmed from starting at the Hall of Music,” adds Farrenkopf.  

Students interested in becoming involved can learn more by visiting the Hall of Music Productions student employment page and Open the link to view more details about Purdue Convocations careers and internships in a new window Students interested in joining LEAP can contact the organization here to learn more. 

About Hall of Music Productions

Hall of Music Productions manages performing arts venues on campus and serves as Purdue University’s professional in-house production company to provide the latest technological offerings in audio, lighting, staging, live video, and video pre and postproduction for events on and off campus. Hall of Music additionally serves as a learning center in entertainment technology and production support, involving students in hands-on experiences and training. Hall of Music promotes collaborative activities with several academic departments as part of its commitment to Purdue students. 

About Purdue Convocations

Founded in 1902, Purdue Convocations is among the oldest collegiate performing arts presenters in the United States. Convocations brings a diverse array of world-class performances and intellectual encounters, including collaborations with campus and community partners, to academic, local and regional audiences. Convocations catalyzes the curriculum, energizes the community and distinguishing Purdue through powerful performances, illuminating discourse and extraordinary learning encounters.