The live entertainment industry presents increasingly complex challenges for technicians—whether in small community theatres or in large theme parks. At the same time, the shape of post-secondary education is changing—with an increasing emphasis on hands-on learning and outcome-based instructional design becoming the norm. At the convergence of these threads is the need to effectively prepare and educate students to enter the rapidly changing world of live entertainment technology.

The annual Symposium on Education in Entertainment and Engineering highlights advances, challenges, and trends in curricular design, instructional design, academic research, and cross-disciplinary work related to the intersection of engineering and live entertainment. This symposium is specifically aimed at building bridges between two exceptionally different academic and professional cultures and practices; presentations come from many different backgrounds and academic experiences. Symposium topics explore the interstitial spaces amongst the disciplines of engineering, theatre technology, and education, including the following topic areas:

• Industry relevant curricular development (including novel curricular design, bridging academic silos, and developing strategies for success, etc.)
• Curating professional development approaches for the workforce of the future in this industry sector.
• Creating and navigating academic/industrial partnerships
• Navigating academic accreditation processes and concerns
• Exploring the relationship between “traditional research” and “creative endeavor”
• Engaging in industry standards development and embedding standards, ethics of care, and sustainability in our practices.
• Offering exemplars of research design/case-studies, instructional design and novel pedagogy in interdisciplinary/cross-disciplinary fields (Art+ Engineering, Technology…)
• Promoting K-12 and Post-Secondary education (STEAM), summer and extra-curricular programming, and diversity/inclusion outreach
• Examining the relationship between traditional instruction, engineering design and production/performance work
• Introducing technology – AI, VR, drones, etc.…conceptualizing their impact on the future of the entertainment industry at large
• Unpacking disciplinary needs, unique languages/practices, and managing interdisciplinary/cross-disciplinary challenges to grow this emergent interdisciplinary field.

Symposium Schedule (subject to change):

Friday, July 26
8:30 – 9:00 AM ET — Event Registration & Check In
9:00 AM — Welcome Remarks
9:30 – 10:30 AM — Keynote Address
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM — Morning Sessions
12:00 – 1:00 PM — Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 PM — Entertainment Engineering High School Summer Camp: Meet the students
2:30 – 4:30 PM — Entertainment Engineering High School Summer Camp: Prototype Demonstrations

4:30 PM — First Day Closing Remarks

Saturday, July 27
8:30 – 9:30 AM ET — Check In
8:30 AM — Morning Remarks
9:00 AM — Morning Session: Building Cross-Campus Connections
10:30 AM — Morning Session: Understanding How Accreditation Impacts Interdisciplinary Courses
12:00 PM — Lunch
1:00 PM — Afternoon Session: Building Academy/Industry Partnerships
2:30 PM — Keynote Speaker
4:00 PM — Closing Remarks
5:30 PM — Optional Dinner Experience

As Senior Vice President, Studio Core Technology at Sphere Entertainment Co., Josh Grow oversees infrastructure that supports Sphere Studios’ core technology functions. This includes architecting the digital pipeline from camera to screen utilizing various software used to create content, as well as data storage and data transfer from Sphere Studios in Burbank to the Sphere venue in Las Vegas.

Prior to joining Sphere Entertainment in 2020, Josh’s career spans positions of increasing responsibility across the entertainment and technology sectors. This includes at The Creative-Cartel, a full production service company focused on visual effects production management and digital pipelines. During his tenure at The Creative-Cartel, Josh led a team dedicated to streamlining digital pipelines and developing cutting-edge software solutions, including the development of a unique production software suite, JOUST, and innovative tools for organizing, transcoding, and securely distributing footage. His prior experience also includes roles at The Walt Disney Studios and Sony Pictures Imageworks.

Josh graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and Technology, with a focus on Spatial Animation.

A block of rooms for the nights of July 28th and July 29th has been arranged at the Hilton Garden Inn for $119 plus tax, per night. When making your reservation use the group name SEEE. You can make your reservations by visiting the Hotel’s website here: or by calling 765-743-2100.

We also have on campus accommodations for $72.80 per night (tax included). You can reserve one of these rooms on the registration page on step #3, additional items. On campus accommodations are at First Street Towers. If lodging at First Street Towers, please bring your own toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc.).

2019 Symposium

Purdue University; West Lafayette, Indiana

2020 Symposium

Co-hosted by Purdue University and The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV); online

2021 Symposium

Co-hosted by Purdue University and the Themed Experience and Attractions Academic Society (TEAAS); Orlando, Florida