Annual Conference 2013

Annual Conference 2013

ShowTex & the Backstage Centre

Who we are What we’re passionate about Why we believe in the Backstage Centre

WHO WE ARE

ShowTex is a worldwide specialist in inventing & manufacturing flame retardant fabrics and innovative suspension systems for the theatrical, entertainment

and event production industry

From theatrical performances, operas and ballets

To the most extravagant special events and effects

SHOWTEX WORLDWIDE

Headquarters in Antwerp for 30 years Full scale workshops in Belgium, the Netherlands, Dubai, Hong Kong & South Africa Sales offices in UK, Sweden & France 120 full-time staff

WHAT WE DOAt the ShowTex sewing workshops, custom curtains and fabric

decorations are manufactured with high quality finishing and short lead times.

New products are constantly being developed and improved on by in-house R&D

Colour

Finish

Manufacture

Details

Mayflower Theatre Southampton

What we’re passionate about

FABRICSMade for experimentation

Vital part of the showInteraction with light and motion

Physically and aesthetically flexibleStructurally, basic rules about FR fabrics

otherwise=anything goes!

Antony and the Johnsons

Norwegian National Ballet-Design by John Otto

Norwegian National Ballet-Design by John Otto

U2 VIP LOUNGE

London 2012 Olympics

Outdoor Stretch Fabric

Stretch Fabric

Spaghetti String Curtains

Akram Khan Dance Company

Design by Es Devlin

Rosas Dance Company

Axelle Red Tour

Akram Khan Dance Company

De Singel Arts Centre

Belgian National Opera-De Munt

Take That Progress Tour

Take That Progress Tour

Arctic Monkeys at Rock Werchter

Gossip at Rock Werchter

London 2012 Olympic Opening ceremony

• Anything is possible with fabrics….• With experience, planning, and cooperation

between the creative and technical teams• It takes all their skills combined to produce the

amazing results that audiences expect.

• Students of today shouldn’t have to wait until a job requires them to experiment with fabrics for them to gain the experience of working with them.

• Students of today shouldn’t have to wait until a job requires them to experiment with fabrics for them to gain the experience of working with them.

• Just think of the images I could show you a few years from now when students can start their career with that knowledge instead.

Backstage Centre & ShowTex

The American Folk singer Pete Seeger explained the difference between education and experience. “Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't. ”

Industry generated training

The next generation of designers, stage technicians, and production specialists already have the advantage of an ever growing selection of training programs, but in order to really

know what it’s like to work as a team from start to finish, they’ll need a lot of practical experience in a real world environment.

Industry generated training

Supply specialized drapesClasses based on industry experience

Fast introduction of new technologies into coursesPath to mentorships between students and professionals

Industry generated training• We can also give expert advice and devise manuals and course materials

for subjects like the:• Care, handling, and storage of drapes• Motion effects with tracks and motors• Visual effects with lighting• Specialized information about shaping venue acoustics with fabrics

Benefits

• The benefits will be an across the board improvement in skills regarding fabrics regardless of study specialty

• Long term this will drive innovation and add value for our industry as a whole.

Benefits

• It all starts now and I’m excited to see what our partnership will bring about in the coming year and for years to come.

We’re passionate about fabrics

We want to share that passion with the next generation of industry professionals

The Backstage Centre is the ideal environment for education, experimentation, and innovation