Lanesboro Arts launched the Rural Arts Production Training Program in 2024, thanks to a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC). Participants are trained by experienced performing arts production technicians through a series of workshops including stage management, audio production, and basic lighting control and design.

The program’s first cohort trained nine rural southeast Minnesotan participants from Fillmore and Houston Counties through tangible, direct learning with professional production technicians. The participants also served as a peer network to provide support and resources throughout the course of the training program and beyond. 

Year One of the training focuses primarily on skills-based workshops with topics such as audio production basics, basic lighting control and design, stage management and best practice – all taught by professional production technicians from Northern Sun Productions. Each workshop is held in Lanesboro’s St. Mane Theatre, utilizing a wide variety of state of the art equipment. Over the course of these workshops, the program participants spend quality time with each teaching production artist learning their craft, as well as have ample time to work hands-on in a professional theater setting. 

Year Two of the program engages the same cohort in a hands-on event mentorship model, allowing participants to gain experience producing shows live with the mentorship and support of Northern Sun Productions. 

The program was designed to meet a regional need for more qualified production services for rural performing arts, and was planned in coordination with Lanesboro Arts staff and Northern Sun Productions (Rochester, MN). Northern Sun Productions produces high quality concerts, festivals, and private/corporate events across the Upper Midwest. Their group of professional staff assist in every aspect of production from planning and advancing to the day of event skilled labor. They have an impressive top-tier inventory of live audio sound reinforcement equipment, modular staging, stage lighting, mobile stages, LED video panels, and more.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.