Chris Van Goethem started in 1983 as a technician in a rental company. He became a stage manager through training on the floor and self-study, and toured with many companies throughout Europe. He has worked, among others, for Théâtre de la Place Liège, De Warande Turnhout, Young Persons Theatre (UK), Open Doek, various festivals in Morocco, Squonk Opera Pittsburgh (US), Theater aan Zee, Champ d’Action, Cultuurmarkt Antwerpen, Theater Stap, Behoud de Begeerte, Villanella, Kommil Foo and Raamtheater.
Van Goethem expanded his field of activity to include teaching and consultancy in the field of technical theatre. He advised on technical theatre, on the development of professional profiles and standards for theatre technicians, professional qualifications (AHOVOKS), safety policy and training policy (SFP) and on the start-up of various TSO schools and VDAB training courses. As chairman of the ESCO Commission for Arts, Entertainment & Recreation, he developed the occupation and competence descriptions for the sector.
His specialisations are lighting, production and special effects. He teaches at the RITCS Department of Technical Theatre, at Sabbattini Antwerp and at Comedrama Oujda (Morocco), courses he cofounded.
At RITCS, he guides the RITCS performing arts students in their individual three-year research project and teaches the courses History of Stagecraft and Special Effects.
Van Goethem wrote ‘Lighting Techniques for Stage Technicians’ and ‘Basic Safety for the Theatre and Event Industry’, and he publishes regularly in professional journals including Proscen, Die Vierte Wand, STEPP magazine and Zichtlijnen.
He is involved in international projects such as theatrEurope, Scenofest Prague, Wakha-Wakha, European Social Dialogue, OISTAT Research & Education Commission and CreativeSkillsEurope.
