Special Events Operations students get a sneak peek behind ASU Gammage Beyond Season

On Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, the PRM 423 Special Events Operations class had the unique opportunity to attend the ASU Gammage 2024-2025 Beyond Season Preview Event.  This event was selected for a site visit as it was a rare opportunity to see a multifaceted marketing event put on by ASU Gammage’s marketing staff and cultural participation team as an event strategy to announce to the public and press the shows that are coming up for the season.

The students met in one of the galleries at Gammage where the program coordinator spoke to the class about his role in preparing the event. Next, the director of event operations spoke to the class while leading a tour of Gammage. The students were able to see how shows are loaded in, some of the production equipment that is required, as well as walk on stage.  All essential elements of a successful show production.

The event itself started out with attendees meeting and mingling in the main lobby, where they enjoyed complimentary food and drinks. Then, the House of the Theater opened and everyone took their seats. The director of programming for cultural affairs spoke and thanked all the donors that helped pay for the event and some of the artists that are coming in. Clips of the various artists were shown so that everyone in attendance could see and get excited about the upcoming shows.

Artist Kristina Wong made a special appearance and performed snippets of her show. Kristina is Gammage’s current artist-in-residence. 

A special thank you to Stephen Potter, assistant director of event operations at ASU Gammage and faculty associate for PRM 423, for arranging the memorable behind-the-scenes learning experience for students and contributing to the School of Community Resources and Development blog.