Kennesaw State coming to Senoia for film industry classes

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Kennesaw State University is coming to Senoia to be part of the growing movie and television industry that is expanding in Coweta and Fayette counties. The university will be partnering with Senoia Enterprises to bring its entertainment business courses to the city beginning next spring.

Kennesaw State University’s Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business (MEBUS) program is partnering with Senoia Enterprises, Inc., to provide a home base for executive education courses in entertainment business, according to the university.

“This exciting partnership demonstrates the university’s dedication to preparing and educating students while working to develop programs that meet the demands of a growing and diverse marketplace,” said Kennesaw State Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ken Harmon. “It is gratifying when an organization such as Senoia Enterprises recognizes the value of our programs, and we look forward to working with them to further grow Georgia’s burgeoning entertainment industry.”

Senoia Enterprises President Scott Tigchelaar said initial classroom space will be located in one of the downtown buildings. As for what they future might hold, Tigchelaar said Kennesaw State has a unique, cutting-edge program that fits well with the growing entertainment business that is currently expanding in southwest metro Atlanta.

“They want a presence on the southside to accommodate the increasing presence of the film industry,” Tigchelaar said. “With the recent announcement of the addition of London-based Pinewood Studios to the area, Senoia is strategically positioned to support Georgia’s entertainment industry with an extension of the MEBUS program.”

Film and television studios and production facilities near Senoia will benefit from this partnership when the MEBUS program begins offering a full range of entertainment business courses in the spring, university officials said.

 “This unique partnership taps into our strength in educating students with relevant business skills so that they can succeed in the film and television industry,” said Keith Perissi, director of the MEBUS program. “It extends beyond preparing actors and actresses, but encompasses individuals involved in the marketing, management, production and other aspects of entertainment that occur behind the scenes.”

The Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program at Kennesaw State University is a multi-disciplinary program designed to provide the foundation of practical experiences, on-the-job training and exploration of career opportunities in the music and entertainment industry.