I teach audio and video production for live events and AV installation at Laurus College,
and I lead a course on live event production at OLLI at the University of Minnesota. My day job
is District AV Technology Coordinator at ISD 197, where I maintain the AV in eight buildings.
Teaching philosophy
Technical skills are learned by doing the work. My goal is to help students develop both the
technical knowledge and professional habits needed to succeed in live event production and
audiovisual technology.
The best learning happens when classroom concepts connect directly to workplace expectations.
Whether the subject is audio systems, AV installation, stagecraft, or production operations, I try
to anchor instruction in practical situations technicians are likely to encounter on the job.
My teaching is informed by work in live event production, AV technology administration,
lighting design, workforce development, and higher education.
Courses I teach
LAURUS COLLEGE · ONLINE
AUD 260
Video Production for Live Events
Laurus College, online. 2026 to present. Instructor of record.
AUD 280
Audio Production for Live Events
Laurus College, online. 2026 to present. Instructor of record.
AUD 320
AV Installation
Laurus College, online. 2026 to present. Instructor of record.
VID 130
Introduction to Digital Video Production
Laurus College, online. 2026 to present. Instructor of record.
ELSEWHERE
OLLI
The Show Must Go On: Inside the World of Live Event Production
OLLI at the University of Minnesota. Fall 2026. Course leader.
ISD 197
Live Event Production Workshop
Credit bearing CTE course. Launched and taught.
I built the course and the Tech Warriors student crew. The crew is now a target in the district strategic plan. Written up in ESTA Protocol, Winter 2025.
Workforce development
A significant part of my educational work focuses on connecting students with practical
experience and career pathways in live event production and audiovisual technology.
ISD 197
Live Event Production Workshop
Credit bearing CTE course, launched and taught
ISD 197
Tech Warriors student crew
Built alongside the course. Now a target in the district strategic plan.
Inver Hills
Student technical crews
Students run the light boards and work in other areas of technical theatre
Curriculum
Professional assessment and career readiness
Taught as part of the subjects listed below
Resident Lighting Designer, Inver Hills Community College
2024 TO PRESENT
I have designed lighting for seven Inver Hills Community College productions since 2023,
working with Lisa Weaver, Tyler Monroe, and George Roesler.
2026
Grand Horizons
dir. Lisa Weaver
2025
And Then There Were None
dir. Lisa Weaver
2025
A Hero's Nap
dir. Tyler Monroe
2024
These Shining Lives
dir. Lisa Weaver
2024
She Kills Monsters
dir. Tyler Monroe
2023
The Doctor in Spite of Himself
dir. George Roesler
What I can teach
Live event and production
- Audio production for live events
- Video production and multi camera
- Stagecraft and stagehand skills
- Lighting and show control
- Load-in, show call, and strike
AV systems and networking
- AV installation and commissioning
- AV over IP: Dante, NDI, Artnet, sACN
- Structured cabling and rack fabrication
- Q-SYS, Symetrix, and Extron platforms
- CTS exam preparation
Business and management
- Principles of management
- Training and development
- Business applications and computing
- Project management and planning
- Professional assessment and career readiness
Where I have taught
Eight postsecondary institutions. The live event and AV teaching is recent. Most of the
earlier record is business, management, and allied health program leadership, and I would rather
say that here than have you find it on the CV.
2026 to present
Adjunct faculty, audio and video production
Laurus College, online
Fall 2026
Course leader
OLLI at the University of Minnesota
2002 to 2006, 2012
Instructor, ASB 110 Personal and Professional Assessment and ASB 208 Introduction to Management
Cardinal Stritch University
1999 to 2002
Instructor, technical writing and healthcare law
Southern Illinois University. Camp Lejeune and Great Lakes Naval Base.
1999 to 2001
Program director and instructor, Medical Assistant program
Century College
2005 to 2008
Program coordinator and instructor, Medical Assistant program
Rasmussen College, Eagan, MN
2008 to 2011
Program coordinator and instructor, Medical Assisting
National American University, Roseville, MN
Degrees and certifications
1999
Master of Business Administration
Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI
1989
Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. Conferred May 1989.
1986
Associate of Arts
University of Wisconsin Colleges, Marshfield/Wood County, WI
1996
Associate in Applied Science, Medical Assistant
Minnesota School of Business, Richfield, MN. GPA 3.91.
2000 to 2001
Non-degree graduate coursework, Vocational Technical Education
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
| Code | Certification | Body | Number |
|---|
| CTS | Certified Technology Specialist | AVIXA | No. 401698 |
| CETL | Certified Education Technology Leader | CoSN | No. 21590 |
| CIT | Cabling and Infrastructure Technician | CEDIA | No. 500049 |
| SME | Subject Matter Expert, CTS Exam Development | AVIXA | Active |
Instructional technology
Canvas, Brightspace, Microsoft Teams, and OBS Studio. I have taught online
asynchronous, online synchronous, blended, and in person.
Contact
Questions about teaching, curriculum development, educational projects, guest instruction,
or workforce development initiatives are welcome. Email is the best way to reach me.
bill@backstageessentials.com
PROJECT
Backstage Essentials LLC
DESIGNER
William D. Larsen