BOA students take centre stage behind the scenes at The BRIT Awards 2026

BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy is proud to celebrate the success of two students who secured prestigious industry placements with PRG UK in the lead-up to The BRIT Awards 2026.
Jude, a Year 12 student studying the Level 3 Lighting and Sound for Live Events course, supported PRG’s preparations for one of the UK’s most high-profile live music events. His role focused on the essential groundwork and preparation that ensures a production of this scale runs seamlessly. This included preparing equipment, loading trucks, and assisting with the movement and organisation of technical kit at PRG’s warehouse in Longbridge. Jude played a significant role in the vital build-up phase, contributing to the smooth delivery of the event.
Looking ahead, Jude hopes to remain at BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy to progress onto the Level 4 Theatre Making course, specialising in Lighting and Sound, with aspirations of pursuing future opportunities within PRG and the live events industry.
Kodi, a Year 14 student on the Level 4 Theatre Making course specialising in Lighting, spent two weeks working intensively with PRG in the run-up to the ceremony. Their placement involved packing, loading and moving equipment, as well as supporting multiple aspects of the event’s technical preparation.
On the night of The BRITs, Kodi was part of the on-stage team, assisting with band extras, specialist equipment brought in by artists for their individual sets. Working in the moments between performances, Kodi helped prepare the stage for each act as the lights went down, ensuring seamless transitions for a live broadcast watched by millions.
Reflecting on the experience, Kodi described the energy backstage as unforgettable, sharing how surreal it felt to be just feet away from globally recognised artists. They even had the opportunity to meet Björk. Kodi noted that the performance featuring Rosalía was kept tightly under wraps, with rehearsals using a stand-in, meaning the backstage crew were as surprised as viewers at home when the collaboration was revealed live on stage.
Summing up the placement in one word, Kodi described it as “special” and extended sincere thanks to the PRG team for making the experience so rewarding. Kodi now hopes to secure an apprenticeship in the live events industry, specialising in Lighting.
Luke Johnson, Teacher of Lighting and Sound at BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy, said: “I’m incredibly proud of Jude and Kodi. This opportunity to gain hands-on experience with PRG UK at the BRIT Awards is a real testament to their hard work, talent and professionalism. As the Teacher of Lighting & Sound, this is exactly what our course is all about – developing technical skills while gaining real, hands-on experience on live productions."
"We’re proud of the strong relationships we have with industry partners who create opportunities for our students that are unlike those offered by any other college. PRG are a huge asset to our academy and the wider BOA Group, and their continued sponsorship and support give our students invaluable access to industry-standard equipment and experiences that help prepare them for successful careers in the industry.”
Kate Tague, Chief Executive of the BOA Group, said: “We are incredibly proud of Jude and Kodi for representing BOA at such a prestigious national event. Opportunities like this demonstrate the power of industry partnerships and the importance of real-world experience in developing the next generation of creative professionals.”
“At the BOA Group, we are committed to championing future creatives and providing them with the skills, confidence and professional networks needed to succeed. We are extremely grateful to PRG UK for their continued support of our academies and for creating such meaningful opportunities for our students.”
BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy continue to work closely with leading industry partners to ensure students gain hands-on experience in professional environments, preparing them for successful careers in theatre, live events and the wider creative industries.
Applications for BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy are currently open for September 2026. Kickstart your creative career. To make an application, click here.
The Academy is also running a free Backstage Workshop on Saturday 21 March from 10am – 2pm. Click here to sign up.