Culture and Arts Performing Arts

Performance Design Principles For Live Events Training

SAQA US 114552 | NQF 4 | Credits 10 | Duration 7 Days
From $1,523 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the principles and techniques required to design and manage live events that are engaging, safe, and technically sound. Participants will learn to integrate performance design concepts, including lighting, sound, staging, and audience experience, to deliver professional live events.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply performance design principles to create cohesive event concepts.
  • Analyze audience needs and venue constraints to inform design decisions.
  • Evaluate technical requirements for lighting, sound, and staging.
  • Design event layouts that optimize audience experience and safety.
  • Implement risk management strategies for live event environments.
  • Demonstrate ability to coordinate with production teams for seamless execution.

Target Audience

Event coordinators, production managers, stage designers, and technical staff involved in planning and executing live performances, conferences, or entertainment events.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Performance Design Principles

Objectives:
• Understand the scope and importance of performance design in live events.
• Identify key roles and responsibilities in the design process.
• Explore the relationship between design, audience experience, and event objectives.
• Apply basic design terminology and concepts.

Topics:
• Overview of performance design: elements and principles
• The live event ecosystem: stakeholders and workflow
• Design thinking and user-centred approach
• Introduction to technical documentation (e.g., ground plans, schedules)
• Case study: successful performance design examples

Day 2: Spatial Design and Stage Layout

Objectives:
• Analyse venue spaces and their impact on design.
• Develop stage layouts considering sightlines, audience flow, and performer requirements.
• Integrate safety regulations and accessibility standards.
• Create scaled floor plans and elevations.

Topics:
• Venue analysis: dimensions, capacity, and limitations
• Sightline theory and audience sightlines
• Stage configurations: proscenium, thrust, arena, etc.
• Accessibility and safety compliance (SANS 10400, OHSA)
• Practical exercise: drafting a stage layout

Day 3: Lighting Design Principles

Objectives:
• Understand lighting fundamentals: colour, intensity, direction, and movement.
• Apply lighting to enhance mood, focus, and storytelling.
• Select appropriate lighting fixtures and control systems.
• Create a basic lighting plot and cue sheet.

Topics:
• Properties of light: colour temperature, gels, and filters
• Lighting positions and angles
• Lighting instruments: profiles, washes, effects
• DMX control and programming basics
• Practical: designing a lighting plot for a scene

Day 4: Sound Design Principles

Objectives:
• Understand sound system components and acoustics.
• Design soundscapes that support event narrative.
• Apply microphone techniques and mixing principles.
• Create a sound plot and cue list.

Topics:
• Acoustics: room modes, reverberation, and sound absorption
• Sound system design: speakers, amplifiers, signal flow
• Microphone types and placement
• Audio mixing consoles and effects
• Practical: designing a sound plot for a scene

Day 5: Scenic and Costume Design

Objectives:
• Develop scenic concepts that align with event themes.
• Select materials and construction methods for sets.
• Design costumes that communicate character and period.
• Integrate scenic and costume elements with lighting and sound.

Topics:
• Scenic design process: from concept to model
• Materials and construction techniques
• Costume design: silhouette, fabric, and colour
• Collaboration with lighting and sound designers
• Practical: creating a scenic design mood board

Day 6: Multimedia and Projection Design

Objectives:
• Understand the role of multimedia in live events.
• Design projection content and mapping techniques.
• Integrate video, animation, and interactive elements.
• Manage technical requirements for multimedia systems.

Topics:
• Projection mapping: principles and software
• Content creation: video, graphics, and animation
• Multimedia hardware: projectors, screens, media servers
• Synchronisation with lighting and sound
• Practical: designing a projection sequence

Day 7: Integration, Rehearsal, and Final Assessment

Objectives:
• Synthesise all design elements into a cohesive production.
• Conduct a technical rehearsal and troubleshoot issues.
• Evaluate design effectiveness against event objectives.
• Present a complete design portfolio for assessment.

Topics:
• Integration of lighting, sound, scenic, costume, and multimedia
• Technical rehearsal procedures and cue management
• Problem-solving and adaptation during rehearsals
• Design documentation and portfolio presentation
• Final assessment: present and defend design choices

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Fri 19 Jun 2026 Mon 29 Jun 2026 Virtual Winter 2026 $1,523 Register
Thu 10 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,523 Register
Wed 30 Sep 2026 Thu 08 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,523 Register
Tue 20 Oct 2026 Wed 28 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,523 Register
Tue 08 Dec 2026 Wed 16 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,523 Register
Mon 11 Jan 2027 Tue 19 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,523 Register
Fri 19 Feb 2027 Mon 01 Mar 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,523 Register
Thu 04 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,523 Register
Wed 10 Mar 2027 Thu 18 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,523 Register
Tue 16 Mar 2027 Wed 24 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,523 Register
Mon 07 Jun 2027 Tue 15 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,523 Register
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Thu 22 Jul 2027 Fri 30 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,523 Register
Wed 08 Sep 2027 Thu 16 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,523 Register
Tue 28 Sep 2027 Wed 06 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,523 Register
Mon 18 Oct 2027 Tue 26 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,523 Register
Tue 07 Dec 2027 Wed 15 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,523 Register
Mon 27 Dec 2027 Tue 04 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,523 Register
Fri 21 Jan 2028 Mon 31 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,523 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 536 sessions across 26 venues
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Wed 17 Jun 2026 Thu 25 Jun 2026 Maseru, Lesotho Winter 2026 $3,607 Register
Thu 18 Jun 2026 Fri 26 Jun 2026 Nairobi, Kenya Winter 2026 $4,525 Register
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Tue 23 Jun 2026 Wed 01 Jul 2026 Maseru, Lesotho Winter 2026 $3,607 Register
Wed 24 Jun 2026 Thu 02 Jul 2026 Nairobi, Kenya Winter 2026 $4,525 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
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Mon 22 Jun 2026 Tue 30 Jun 2026 Your Premises Winter 2026 $1,982 Register
Fri 18 Sep 2026 Mon 28 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,982 Register
Thu 08 Oct 2026 Fri 16 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,982 Register
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Wed 16 Dec 2026 Thu 24 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,982 Register
Tue 19 Jan 2027 Wed 27 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,982 Register
Mon 22 Feb 2027 Tue 02 Mar 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,982 Register
Fri 12 Mar 2027 Mon 22 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,982 Register
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Wed 24 Mar 2027 Thu 01 Apr 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,982 Register
Tue 15 Jun 2027 Wed 23 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,982 Register
Mon 05 Jul 2027 Tue 13 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,982 Register
Fri 30 Jul 2027 Mon 09 Aug 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,982 Register
Thu 16 Sep 2027 Fri 24 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,982 Register
Wed 06 Oct 2027 Thu 14 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,982 Register
Tue 26 Oct 2027 Wed 03 Nov 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,982 Register
Wed 15 Dec 2027 Thu 23 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,982 Register
Tue 04 Jan 2028 Wed 12 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,982 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Tue 01 Feb 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,982 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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