Behind the Scenes at USC’s 142nd Commencement: A Full-Service Production Across 3 Iconic Venues

Some shows come together fast. Others, like this one, take months of planning and execution. The University of Southern California had one of its biggest graduation ceremonies of all time in 2025, and Gear Connection was gratefully hired to be the AV partner for these important events.

This wasn’t just a show. It was a multi-day, multi-site AV production event featuring A-list speakers, complex logistics, and massive audiences. From concept to final cue, our team handled everything: staging, sound, lighting, video, IMAG, comms, and livestreaming.

What Was the Event?

For the University of Southern California’s 142nd Commencement Ceremonies, Gear Connection delivered a full-service event production across three of Los Angeles’s most iconic venues: the LA Memorial Coliseum, the Shrine Auditorium, and the Galen Center.

USC Commencement is a landmark celebration welcoming thousands of graduates, families, and faculty. This year’s ceremonies included headlining appearances by director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) and music legend Snoop Dogg. The event spanned three venues, incorporating a drone show, fireworks, and multiple stages.

With thousands of eyes on the production and moments that mattered deeply to the attendees, the pressure was on to get it right, everywhere.

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The Client’s Vision (and How We Got There)

The client needed more than AV gear, they needed a partner. USC’s vision was to create a unified, immersive experience across three unique venues, each with its own size, acoustics, and technical requirements.

Our role as a full-service event production company was to translate creative goals into a real-time, multi-venue AV solution that delivered elegance, energy, and a strong sense of USC pride.

Our Role: From Concept to Cue Sheet

We were brought into planning months before the first mic check. Early walkthroughs at all three sites allowed us to build a tailored strategy for everything from staging to crew flow.

Each venue had a unique set of logistics:

• Load-ins and power distribution were mapped out in advance.
• Stage layouts were customized to maximize visibility and flow.
• Wireless comms were tested and deployed to allow cross-venue coordination.
• Cue sheets were synced across production leads at each location.

We worked closely with USC’s in-house AV team, their event planning staff, and venue managers to create a seamless production experience.

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The Gear That Made It Happen

Each space required its own configuration:

• Audio systems: Custom-designed line arrays to ensure clarity across stadium seating and auditoriums.
• Lighting setups: Adjusted for both daytime and nighttime ambiance, including integrated cues for the fireworks display.
• Video production: Multi-camera switching for IMAG, live streaming, and archival footage.
• Comms: Redundant wireless systems ensured that every crew member, across every site, stayed connected.

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When Things Go Right: Seamless Execution at Scale

This event ran smoothly thanks to the months of pre-planning and the experience of our team. Our crew executed across three locations with no major issues, no tech delays, and full schedule adherence.

That kind of execution doesn’t happen by luck. It comes from clear communication, tested systems, and a crew trained to adapt in real time.

Showtime: How It All Played Out

Highlights from the weekend included:

• Coordinated lighting during the drone and fireworks display at the Coliseum.
• Crystal-clear audio for every speaker and musical performance.
• Clean video transitions and IMAG feeds at all venues.
• High-profile walk-ons executed flawlessly.

Learn more about the 2025 USC Commencement or see the full video on YouTube.

What We Loved About This One

This wasn’t just another job for us. Several members of our team are proud USC alumni, including Arik and Natalya, who worked on-site throughout the weekend. There was a sense of pride in every cue and every cue call. It was personal, and it showed.

The most rewarding part? Seeing the smiles, the tears, and the sheer joy of thousands of families celebrating something unforgettable. That’s why we do what we do.

Start Strong. Finish Stronger.

At Gear Connection, we believe that what sets a great AV production company apart isn’t how they handle the easy shows, it’s how they navigate the complex ones.

From logistics to live execution, we bring clarity, calm, and capability to every moment. 

Looking for a full-service team that gets it right the first time? Contact Gear Connection and let’s make your next event unforgettable.