In Conversation with Steve Boyd, Head of Production Arts at GYA King's Cross  

Steve Boyd gives an insight into the world of production arts and his career highlights so far, including working on that Beyoncé Super Bowl Halftime show in 2013...

Your biography in a sentence 

Steve: Creator of mass spectacle and insanely complicated live events. 
View Steve's full biography

Can you briefly summarise what Production Arts is? 

Steve: The crafts, skills and knowledge needed to turn an idea into a public event.

What was your first experience within production arts? How did you know this was something that you wanted to pursue professionally?

Steve: In 1976 I went with my family to see a Bicentennial pageant staged at our local football stadium. I was instantly intrigued by how the adults had  transformed a place so familiar into a theatrical fantasy.

There are so many different roles within Production Arts. Imagine you are on a dessert island and you have to choose one role to do forever more, what would it be and why?

Steve: I would be a prop designer so I could design and build a boat to row myself home in.

In addition to your new role at GYA King’s Cross, you are a freelance Creative Director within the realm of Production Arts. Can you explain what this means? 

Steve: It is my job as a creative director to deliver a fantastic piece of entertainment no matter what the resources may be. We are in the business of communicating ideas to an audience through sight, sound, taste, touch and emotional feels. Big budget or no budget—we take people on a journey of our own making.

You have worked on some very impressive events, including 16 consecutive Olympic Games and two Super Bowl Halftime Shows – one with Beyoncé in 2013. What has been your career highlight? Can you tell us anymore about running/designing an event for Beyoncé?! 

Steve: My career highlight so far is definitely the London 2012 Opening Ceremony and in particular the colossal effort it took to plan, teach, and repeat the Industrial Revolution scene.

The Beyoncé Halftime show is a funny story. It attests to the power of headline talent to grab people’s attention. This was the easiest and shortest gigs I’ve ever done but I get asked about it most. This job started out with a massive audience participation card stunt but due to time and budget constraints it ended up being a simple LED light dropped in every cup holder. Win some/lose some. The best memory was that I was able to surprise my distribution volunteers by ending their shift on the fifty-yard line where they got to watch Beyoncé rehearse her show five times in a row.

You’ve done so much, but is there an event or job that you aspire to work on that you haven’t yet? 

Steve: Bonfire Night in Leicestershire and The Chelsea Flower Show are on my job bucket list.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role at Guildhall Young Artists King’s Cross?

Steve: I learn new things fast when working with young people. I am looking forward to exploring a new world of interests and priorities alongside the participants.

Can you tell us about a recent experience that you have enjoyed within the arts– this could be a concert, a performance, or exhibition, for example. 

Steve: BBC Proms 2022, Prom 4: Cynthia Eviro – Legendary Voices. The diversity of the repertoire and her versatility as a singer/storyteller was two hours of perfection. 

Final question - what can someone expect from your Production Arts Course and how much fun might they have? 

Steve: They can expect to never know what to expect each Saturday! We are going to dream big and then, together, figure out how to make big things happen.

Find out more about Steve's Production Arts Course and sign up.

New students can join at anytime. The autumn term finishes Saturday 10 December and will start again on Saturday 7 January. Please see the course page for details. With no auditions or experience required, and bursaries available, Guildhall Young Artists King’s Cross is a great way to access Guildhall School’s world-class performing and production arts training.