With over 20 years in the audiovisual industry, Leon Prather has worked extensively in both the technical and creative sides of AV. You can find him writing about topics like product management, entertainment technology news, and whatever geeky notion catches his attention today. Recently, he was named to Commercial Integrator's 40 Influencers Under 40 list for 2025. https://www.leonprather.com
Bill Larsen, CTS, serves as District AV Technology Coordinator for ISD 197 (West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan, Minnesota), managing AV services across nine buildings including two high schools, two middle schools, and five elementary schools. He holds the CTS credential from AVIXA and serves as a Subject Matter Expert for CTS exam development.
Bill is the founder of Backstage Essentials LLC, an independent consulting practice focused on K-12 performance space and AV systems. His forthcoming book, Backstage Essentials: Skills for Stagehand Technicians in Live Event Production, is being published by Routledge/Taylor and Francis in 2026.
He also serves as Education Coordinator for IATSE Local 490 and brings more than 30 years of experience in educational technology and live event production.
