Since 2017, Dr. Phillips Center and Full Sail University have partnered to provide students with unique hands-on learning opportunities in production, lighting, video and acoustics just minutes from campus.
Community Connections: Full Sail University & Dr. Phillips Center
It was collaboration at first sight when the arts center partnered with Full Sail University’s Show Production degree program and the Rollins College music department to co-present Songs of the Season, a holiday concert spectacular, back in 2017. Just a few years later, Full Sail faculty and students supported the production of the Frontyard™ Festival series on Seneff Arts Plaza, a first-of-its-kind performing arts festival that brought the community back together. Over 90,000 guests safely enjoyed live music, comedy, films and other festivities at the event. Since then, the collaboration has expanded to include tuning sessions inside Steinmetz Hall, witnessing Broadway production move-ins and most recently, providing video, lighting, live audio recordings for Alan Cumming.
Who can say they’ve had the chance to touch, feel and tune one of the most beautiful and acoustically perfect concert halls in the world? Full Sail Show Production degree program students, that’s who. Once a month, students in the Audio Measurement Systems class head to downtown Orlando and Steinmetz Hall to test out their room acoustics training.
Dr. Phillips Center Production Director, Dw Phineas Perkins, welcomes the class and tours them through the hall to first get a better understanding of how the venue works and all its (endless) capabilities. Full Sail Course Director Michael Stewart sets up special equipment along with the students for his Systems Tuning and Acoustics class which covers acoustic measurement material. During his lesson, students perform a RT60 (Reverberation Time) measurement of the venue and collect data that is later used in class.
Steinmetz Hall has an N1 acoustic rating, which allows the room’s acoustics to be adjusted based on the needs of the performing artists... and gives the students the ability to quantify and adjust the acoustics of the Hall—capturing the best sound.
Fun Fact: Steinmetz Hall sounds the same with or without an audience, making it an ideal spot for the Audio Measurement Systems class.
“This experience is a rarity in my opinion,” says Stewart. “It is truly a one-of-a-kind educational resource for our students, and we are delighted to have such a wonderful acoustic space in Orlando that Full Sail is permitted to visit regularly and perform these acoustic measurements.” Instructors and students from the Audio Measurement Systems class have been visiting Steinmetz Hall since September 2024.
Students Collaborate in Judson’s Live Recording Studio for Alan Cumming Production
The partnership between Dr. Phillips Center and Full Sail University expanded in February 2025 when the stage & screen extraordinaire Alan Cumming visited Judson’s Live, Dr. Phillips Center’s newest music room. It’s there that Full Sail faculty supported a three-day production of Alan Cumming: Uncut and students from the Show Production degree program shadowed and supported behind-the-scenes video, lighting and audio production.
When the live shows were over and the venue cleared, students and faculty captured video and show cut-ins with Alan Cumming to be used for a separate production. Because of Judson’s Live intimate setting, students were provided with up-close and professional experience working with an award-winning theater actor in a small stage.
Shaping Future Creatives: How Dr. Phillips Center Elevates Learning for Audio & Production Students
Orlando is one of the top Broadway markets in the country outside of New York City! Bet you didn’t know that...and with each season some of the biggest shows go on tour and get to call the Dr. Phillips Center home for their run. That means there are a ton of opportunities to soak-up and learn. Full Sail students have the chance to gain invaluable knowledge from the arts center. Production Manager Troy Mitchell leads the way in setting up opportunities for students to observe Broadway load-ins. So far students have been able to observe and learn from crew members about different aspects of production backstage for shows like MAMMA MIA!, The Cher Show, Avatar the Last Airbender in Concert, Winnie’s Rock Cauldron Cabaret and many more.
As Orlando continues to be a hub for arts, culture and entertainment, it only makes sense that this partnership continues to expand and evolve. Students are experiencing a wide array of professional opportunities, building confidence and some landing jobs as Event Techs, Production Crew and Stage Technicians at the Dr. Phillips Center.
Alan Cumming: Uncut is supported by Brasfield & Gorrie.
MAMMA MIA! and The Cher Show are part of the AdventHealth Broadway in Orlando 24/25 season.