Austin City Limits Live Gives ��Ǻ�� Students Backstage Access and Career Insights

Did you know that the Austin skyline featured on the stage background of Austin City Limits Live was taken from the hilltop?

Freshmen were surprised by a special appearance of Main Building during their Career Trek at at the Moody Theater, the longest-running television music program in American television history. Their trek included a backstage tour of the 2,750-seat theater, which opened in 2011 and now hosts over 100 shows each year.

The ACL Live skyline created from a photo taken on the hilltop

Career Treks Connect Students to Austin and Beyond

Through the Career and Professional Development Office, ��Ǻ�� students are encouraged to sign up for “Career Treks”, where they can explore career and internship opportunities from local industries in Austin and across Texas. For the 2024-25 academic year, CAPD hosted a “Career Trek” at Circuit of The Americas, Google, SXSW, Ascension Dell Children’s Medical Center and AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

“This trek was designed exclusively for first-year students as part of our Anchors programming,” CAPD Senior Director Brittany Stansel said. “We wanted to welcome them to the hilltop by connecting them right away with the exciting professional opportunities that Austin has to offer. Launching their career development journey before classes even begin is such a powerful way to set the tone for their time at ��Ǻ��, and it really reflects SEU’s commitment to career readiness on all fronts.”

Students observe the history of ACL Live during their tour

A student interacts with museum components during the ACL Live tour

Learning the History of Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater

The trek began with a history lesson, beginning in the 60s when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, with the hopes of creating more quality television programs for all. In 1969, the Public Broadcasting Station was born and by 1974, an Austin PBS program was created to showcase Austin’s mixed bag of country, blues and folk music. Willie Nelson, who was not “clean-cut” enough for Nashville, returned to Austin and performed for the pilot of Austin City Limits. The show launched after their successful pilot, and in 2025, ACL Live is celebrating a historic 50 years.

��Ǻ�� students were then guided on a walking tour of the studio where they learned about general stage production and visited the sound booth. Students also walked through the small museum displaying clothes and instruments from artists and even sat in VIP suites. Students also had the opportunity to sit in rooms where stars like Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Dave Grohl, Ringo Starr and countless celebrities have sat.

Behind the scene of the ACL Live theater

Students listen to the history and stories that occurred back stage where they stood

Showcasing Music and Performance Careers at ACL Live

Students learned about opportunities for jobs and internships with ACL Live and with their parent company, , home of the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. For this first Career Trek of the academic year, this group of students featured a handful of musicians and performers on the tour.

Mia Alegria ‘29, who saw one of her favorite bands, Japanese Breakfast, at ACL Live, is a neuroscience major and hopes to sing one day. Camille Ward-Hall ‘29 is in theatre and looks forward to performing on the hilltop. Sophia Ogle-Garza ‘29 is a psychology major and plays the viola. This was just a handful of the student artists on the Career Trek.

“It’s a true pleasure to build these experiences into the SEU student journey, and ACL Live was a perfect partner to help us kick off the year,” Stansel said.