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USITT Planning Star-Studded 50th
Celebration
USITT is planning a stellar line-up of special speakers and session
presenters for its 50th Annual Conference in 2010. USITT, the
United States Institute for Theatre Technology, connects performing
arts design and technology communities to ensure a vibrant
dialogue among practitioners, educators and students. Speakers
include Sally Struthers, Dr. Joel E. Rubin, the founder of USITT,
Oscar Brockett and legendary lighting designer Jennifer Tipton.
Sally Struthers will kick off the organization’s four day lineup of
focused sessions and special exhibitions on Wednesday, March
31 with her Keynote presentation at the Kansas City Convention
Center. Also on tap will be Dr. Joel E. Rubin, a founder of the
Institute and its second President, who will deliver the Fellows
Address on Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning, the
Institute will honor Oscar Brockett who will receive the 2010 USITT
Golden Pen award, along with co-authors Margaret Mitchell and
Linda Hardberger for their work, Making the Scene: A History of
Stage Design and Technology in Europe and the United States.
Jennifer Tipton, who in 2008 was honored with a MacArthur
Foundation “genius award” (the latest in string of honors for
this amazing designer) will speak on Friday morning to start the
Conference day.
The 50th Annual Conference, with events centered at the
Kansas City Convention & Entertainment Facilities in Kansas City,
Missouri, will conclude with a gala Anniversary Party on Saturday,
April 3.
ETC Training to Become ETCPrecognized
Electrical Training Program
Capping a year-long process, ESTA’s ETCP Certification Council
has approved ETC’s application to become a certified trainer,
confirming ETC as the first lighting manufacturer—and one of a
handful of rigging manufacturers—to have courses recognized
by ETCP. Attendees of ETC’s courses who are already ETCP certified
can now gain renewal credits by participating in one of ETC’s
technical training sessions.
“We are very proud and excited to offer this expertise and
professional aid to the industry, said . It’s a win/win for all involved,
with the end result of raising the bar in installation knowledge
and safety in our industry,” said Dan Boggess, ETC’s Field Service
Manager.
ETC approached ETCP’s certification manager, Meredith
Moseley-Bennett, last year, and began exploring the need for
electrical training classes as well as offering the model of ETC’s
own existing in-depth training programs (courses like ETC
New Technician Training, Recertification Training, and Unison
Paradigm Certification training) as well as the new ETC Prodigy-
Rigging Installer Training. ETCP-certified technicians must maintain
their standing by accumulating 40 renewal credits or retaking
the ETCP exam every five years. At least 10 of these renewal credits
must include training or professional development—which is
where ETC’s programs fit.
10 March 2010 • www.stage-directions.com