20 Graduates Complete White Hall Arts Academy's 'Soundworks' Spring 2026 High Road Training Program

On May 2, 2026, White Hall Arts Academy proudly celebrated the graduation of 20 students from Cohort 3 of the Soundworks High Road Training Program. After 10 weeks of hands-on training in audio engineering, video production, stagehand skills, and live event production, the Spring 2026 cohort completed the program with new technical abilities, creative confidence, and real-world preparation for careers in entertainment, media, and production.

Launched in Spring 2025, Soundworks was created to provide comprehensive workforce development opportunities in the fields of audio, video, lighting, and live production for justice-affected and transitional aged foster youth ages 18 to 28. At White Hall Arts Academy, the mission is rooted in urgency, compassion, and a commitment to serving those in need by creating meaningful pathways to sustainable careers.

Throughout the 10-week program, students gained exposure to the behind-the-scenes skills that power concerts, sporting events, film productions, live shows, and major entertainment experiences. From learning the fundamentals of live sound engineering and lighting design to developing video production and editing skills, participants were trained to understand both the creative and technical demands of the industry.

A key part of the Spring 2026 cohort experience was the opportunity to learn real, hands-on stagehand skills through Soundworks’ partnership with Bigger Hammer. Students were introduced to the essential labor, safety practices, teamwork, and technical precision required behind the scenes of live events, gaining practical experience in deck staging, equipment handling, production setup, and the fast-paced coordination that supports concerts, festivals, arena shows, and major live productions.

Through this training, participants learned how to approach production work with professionalism, awareness, and care. Safety was a central part of the experience, helping students understand the importance of proper equipment handling, communication, situational awareness, crew coordination, and following protocols in active production environments. These lessons gave participants a stronger foundation for working responsibly and confidently on professional stages and live event sites.

The partnership with Bigger Hammer helped bridge classroom learning with real-world production expectations. By gaining exposure to deck staging and stagehand responsibilities, students were able to better understand the discipline, physical readiness, problem-solving, and collaboration required to support a seamless live event. This practical training expanded their understanding of career pathways in live entertainment and helped prepare them for internship opportunities and entry-level roles in the production industry.

Soundworks also connects students to internship opportunities with professional venues, including major sports and concert arenas. These opportunities help participants build the experience, relationships, and confidence needed to pursue long-term careers in production and live entertainment.

As part of their final project, Spring 2026 cohort participants wrote, produced, filmed, acted in, and edited original short-form video projects that showcased their growth over the course of the program. These final projects reflect not only their technical training, but also their storytelling, collaboration, and creative vision.

Spring 2026 Final Projects

The cohort’s final project showcase included three original video productions: PEAK, an Old Spice commercial concept, and Cycles. Each project was created by participants who took on roles across writing, directing, editing, performance, and production.

PEAK Short Film

PEAK was written, directed, and edited by Kevin Hernandez and Reef Berry. The cast featured Adrian Patterson, Willis Hardaway, Angela Turner, and Ali Muhammad.

Old Spice Commercial

The Old Spice commercial was written by Willis Hardaway and directed by Dorisha Puckett and Willis Hardaway. Editing was completed by Willis Hardaway, Beja Smith-Williams, and Dorisha Puckett. The cast included Orlando Griego, Jordan McDowell, Angela Turner, Beja Smith-Williams, and Timothy Blackman II.

Cycles Short Film

Cycles was written and directed by Orlando Griego, with editing by Orlando Griego and Olivia Hall. The cast featured Jordan McDowell, Angela Turner, Juliet Coleman, Brianna Coleman, Olivia Hall, Ali Muhammad, and Willis Hardaway.

Together, these projects stand as a powerful example of what is possible when young creatives are given access, training, mentorship, and the opportunity to tell stories through their own lens. The work represents the spirit of Soundworks: equipping emerging talent with the tools, safety knowledge, and professional readiness to step into production spaces and contribute to the future of live entertainment and media.

White Hall Arts Academy congratulates all 20 graduates of Soundworks Cohort 3 on this important milestone. Their dedication, teamwork, creativity, and commitment throughout the Spring 2026 session reflect the measurable impact of investing in youth, workforce development, and real career pathways.

Special thanks to Solotech, Bigger Hammer, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, and the California Community Foundation / Liberty Hill Foundation for supporting this work and helping create opportunities for the next generation of production professionals.

Congratulations, Soundworks Spring 2026 Cohort. Your future is just beginning.