Last updated on June 28, 2024
The ‘cool factor’ was always there on the days Kiyhana Criddle headed to her internship last spring. As Criddle said, it never got old driving to the Longhorn Ballroom, the iconic music venue just south of downtown Dallas that was built in 1950 and has hosted some of the best-known artists over the decades.
The list includes names ranging from Willie Nelson to George Strait to Loretta Lynn to Charley Pride to B.B. King to James Brown to Selena. The Longhorn Ballroom had been deserted for several years before being restored and reopened in March 2023.
Now, it’s hosting regular weekend shows with artists such as Wade Bowen, Future Islands and Asleep At The Wheel on the upcoming schedule.
“It’s old-timey but it has a really authentic feel to it, so that was cool,” Criddle said. “And it was interesting to see the variety of artists who came on stage because they each had a different setup.”
Criddle recalled just how different it went with artists who played with bands compared to those who just brought a piano or a guitar. It was an eye-opening experience and one that will make a lasting impact for Criddle as she moves forward. If she continues going forward in live audio, Criddle now has first-hand experience working with high-end equipment such as the Longhorn Ballroom’s Yamaha CL5 digital mixing console and ensuring guests have an enjoyable listening experience.
“There’s a lot of benefits to seeing how the cookies get made,” Criddle said. “It gives a lot of context to what you’re learning in class and why you’re learning it. Overall, I highly recommend it. It was a really good environment and a nice middle ground between being a student and a worker. It was a very informative and very cool experience.”
Rina Harrison, a University of Texas at Dallas student who has taken a few summer classes at Dallas College, also interned at the Longhorn Ballroom.
“The team at Longhorn Ballroom is top notch,” Harrison said. “Everybody is super friendly; everybody is super cool. It was a really valuable first-hand experience.”
It’s the type of experience that more students will have the opportunity to pursue as Dallas College has partnered with the Longhorn Ballroom on an internship program.
“Longhorn’s support of our students has been impactful,” said Ahava Silkey-Jones, Dallas College’s Vice Provost, School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design. “In addition to serving as a partner for our school, Longhorn has provided paid internships for our students allowing them to work behind the scenes and front of house in a world-class facility with historical significance.
“We are grateful to Edwin Cabaniss and his extraordinarily talented team for their support and mentorship.”
Cabaniss, Longhorn Ballroom’s owner, said the internship program worked “really well” and is excited to enhance the experience going forward with future students.
“We have some ideas to further enhance the experience this Fall,” he said. “There remains a huge demand for audio and show technical expertise among other trades.”
New Offerings
The partnership with the Longhorn Ballroom is just one of many ways Dallas College’s School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design is preparing students for a career working live events. The School of CAED will begin offering four, Level 1 certificates this fall that will provide students with additional pathways into the industry.
The four certificates include: Theatrical Sound Board Operator Certificate; Theatrical Light Board Operator Certificate; Theatrical Master Electrician Certificate; and Theatrical Construction Certificate.
A student can earn one of those certificates in as little as one year and be ready to enter the field.
“We’re excited to offer pathways for students to pursue careers in the performing arts,” Silkey-Jones said. “Our four certificates launching this fall will help students complete a credential and enter the workforce immediately.”
Why Dallas College?
Outside of the number of partnerships and credentials offered, Dallas College prides itself on delivering a meaningful, worthwhile higher education experience for all. Just ask Criddle, who said she was “surprised” by how impactful her time at Dallas College has been.
Criddle came to the college through the Dallas College Promise program and liked the idea of studying the technical side of music rather than just music theory, which is the common track offered at most institutions.
“Dallas College really did get you into the side of being a producer, working with the technology and working with live music,” she said. “You’re helping set up and take down recitals every week and I found a lot of value in that.”
Just as important, Criddle said, Dallas College planted a seed that has encouraged her to want to continue learning more. She loved her internship at the Longhorn Ballroom, however, it opened her eyes to even more possible avenues in the live entertainment industry.
“There’s so much more I want to learn now,” she said. “You get a taste of it, and it gets you excited about the possibilities.”
