Chris Van Goethem started in 1983 as a technician in a rental company, like most technicians in that period. Before that he was active in school and youth theater. He became stage manager through training on the floor and self-study and toured with many companies throughout Europe.
He has worked for Théâtre de la Place Liège, De Warande Turnhout, Young Persons Theater (UK), Open Cloth, various festivals in Morocco, Squonk Opera Pitsburg (US), Theater aan Zee, Champs d'action, Cultuurmarkt Antwerp, Theater Stap , Preserve the Desire, Villanella, Kommil Foo and Raamtheater. Van Goethem expanded his field of activity with teaching and consultancy in the field of stage techniques. He advised among others the theater technique for the Augustine Church Antwerp, De Warande Turnhout, Flaget Brussels, De Zwarte Komedie, the abbey of Herkenrode and the cultural center Merelbeke. He also advised on the preparation of the professional profiles and standards of Podiumtechniek (SERV), the professional qualifications (AHOVOKS), safety policy, training policy (SFP) and the start-up of various TSO schools and VDAB programs.
His specializations are lighting, production and special effects. He teaches the RITCS (EHB) podium department, Sabbattini Antwerp and Comedrama Oujda (Morocco), three courses he co-founded. He also gives courses for the Pianofabriek, Arteveldehogeschool, SFP, SADA and Accademia Teatro alla Scala.
Van Goethem wrote "lighting technology for stage technicians" and regularly publishes in professional journals such as Proscenium, STEPP magazine, Die Vierte Wand, Zichtlijnen and Proscen.
He supervises the RITCS stage techniques students in their individual three-year research project. As part of the podium arts expertise center he examines the history of stage techniques, education and competence management, sustainability, and safety.
From his engagement he is involved in international projects such as theatrEurope, Scenofest Prague, Wakha-Wakha, European Social Dialogue, Scenart Romania, OISTAT Time Line Working Group, ETTE and creativeskillsEurope.
chris.van.goethem@ehb.be
