Stage Directions

Jeanette Farmer to be Keynote Speaker

Registration is now open for the 2020 New World Rigging Symposium taking place March 31 – April 1st in Houston, TX in conjunction with the USITT Conference and Stage Expo. The event provides an opportunity for riggers and those interested in the entertainment rigging industry to network, discuss current issues and new technologies, and help shape the future of the industry. A complete schedule, session descriptions and a link to register are available on the ESTA website.

Goodspeed’s Scenic Painting Intensive is a unique opportunity to receive expert instruction from a team of esteemed scenic artists with extensive experience in live theater, film and television, and special events. Join them January 6 - 12, 2020 for this introductory intensive focused on skills like color mixing, drop layout, and creating textured surfaces.

Stage Directions has learned of the death of Stan Schwartz, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Rosco Laboratories. He died on October 12, 2019 at the age of 84. We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and his colleagues in the industry. Requiescat in Pace, Mr. Schwartz. Rosco released this statement on his passing on their Facebook Page:

Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-I) has taken delivery of a complement of Ayrton Khamsin-TC and GHIBLI fixtures and Robert Juliat Lancelot followspots for its three theaters. ACT Lighting, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of both brands in North America. BYU-I, formerly known as Ricks College, is located in Rexburg, Idaho and offers programs in liberal arts, including the sciences, engineering, agriculture, management and the performing arts.

New agreement sees Group One Ltd manage broadcast, live, studio, and Audio Creator products, with introduction of new Senior Vice President

Solid State Logic (SSL) announces a new business partnership with Group One Ltd to manage its U.S. portfolio of audio solutions and operational infrastructure. Effective immediately, the new deal brings together one of professional audio’s most prestigious brands with Group One’s extensive distribution, customer support and partner network, to further strengthen both businesses.

Voted by the Dutch public as the “most beautiful painting in the Netherlands,” Johannes Vermeer’s 17^th century masterpiece, Girl With a Pearl Earring, is renowned for its subtle use of colors, and interplay of light and shadows. These attributes made the painting (or more accurately replicas of it) an ideal prop in the successful theatre lighting education session held by CHAUVET Professional Benelux in September. 

Recently, The 2019 Victorian State Schools Spectacular: Made of Stars was staged at the Melbourne (Australia) Arena and filmed by Channel7 for later broadcast. The annual live arena production showcasing the talent of students across the state of Victoria featured a large complement of Claypaky lighting fixtures, which helped students working behind the scenes gain real-world experience with top-of-class, professional luminaires.

ESTA’s Happy Hour for Behind the Scenes provides a terrific opportunity to greet old friends and make new ones while supporting your colleagues in need. The popular charity event is held on the opening night of The 2020 NAMM Show. Join the party on Thursday, January 16th from 6pm to 8pm on the Platinum Patio at the Anaheim Marriott. Ticket sales go to benefit Behind the Scenes so buy one for you and one for a friend!

When Baz Luhrmann debuted Moulin Rouge! in 2001, his fantastical tale of “truth, beauty, freedom, and love” at the famed Parisian nightclub was heralded for reinventing the movie musical, with its exuberant cast of characters, frenetic visuals, and more-is-more production numbers that juxtaposed the Belle Époque drama onscreen with a tapestry of modern pop hits.