Ray Winkler of STUFISH gives industry talk to ALT students.

Winkler,  whose studio is responsible for some of the world’s most ambitious and visually ground-breaking stage environments, was on site at Studio 005, where STUFISH were supporting a major production. 

During his visit, he generously took time to speak with ALT students about creative process, innovation in performance architecture, and the realities of designing at the highest level of the global entertainment industry.

STUFISH’s contributions to the live events landscape are vast and iconic. The studio has crafted large‑scale touring productions for U2, Madonna, Pink Floyd, Beyoncé, and The Rolling Stones, creating immersive and technically advanced stage designs that have redefined the possibilities of live performance. Their work also includes the landmark ABBA Arena in London, a bespoke venue purpose‑built for the revolutionary ABBA Voyage experience, as well as festival and touring environments for contemporary artists such as Lana Del Rey and Sabrina Carpenter

For students training for careers in production, staging and entertainment technology, hearing directly from a figure of Winkler’s calibre was both inspirational and deeply valuable. His session offered a rare, behind‑the‑scenes perspective on working at the forefront of live experience design and highlighted the creativity, collaboration and innovation required to produce world‑class shows.

At the Academy of Live Technology, these kinds of interactions are an integral part of the student experience. With industry professionals regularly working on productions across the Production Park campus, students gain unparalleled access to real‑world expertise and career‑shaping opportunities.

Winkler’s visit stands as another example of the ALT’s commitment to connecting learners with the leading minds shaping the future of live entertainment.