Stage Directions

USITT Encourages Development of New Technology for the Performing Arts. Grants Awarded to Researcher/Practitioners in South Carolina, Oregon, and Florida

The USITT Board of Directors awarded three Innovation Grants totaling nearly $80,000 at its March 19 meeting. This is the second round of funding in this program, designed to foster new technologies for use in the theatre and performing arts.

USITT, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, the association for performing arts and entertainment professionals, broke its all-time attendance records last week during the 59th Annual Conference & Stage Expo held in the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY. More than 6,000 attendees were verified through the conference registration system.

Noting growing demand, L-Acoustics offers dedicated training program worldwide for L-ISA object-based mixing technology

In the days leading up to the Prolight + Sound trade show, L-Acoustics announces the availability of training programs for systems and mixing engineers seeking to implement L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound technology, the market-leading object-based mixing technology for live events and installations. In the initial phase of rollout, training sessions will be available by invitation only in L-Acoustics locations in Marcoussis, France; New York City, NY; and Westlake Village, CA, and at select partner facilities. Phase two, planned for the fourth quarter of 2019, will extend training to a wider audience. At ProLight+Sound 2019, L-Acoustics will be in PL+S Hall 8.0 / booth H85, Galleria demo room Symmetrie 2+3

First Project to be Built Under New Workforce Housing Resolution

Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced it has secured the required funding and will embark on an ambitious new artist housing project at 2009 Addison Street, directly next door to its two theatres: the Roda and the Peet’s. The seven-floor building, in the heart of the arts district, will provide vital housing for Berkeley Rep’s visiting artists as well as the 15 young professionals who are awarded fellowships every year. In addition to 45 apartment units, the building will include two spaces for the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, an outdoor terrace, and an 88-foot video display marquee on the mezzanine level. Berkeley Rep expects to break ground on the 18-month construction project in October 2019.

WHOCO Lighting & Controls, Inc. has announced that Kaitlin Rider has been promoted to the position of Director of Outside Sales. Rider was previously Specifier Relationship Specialist / Outside Sales with WHOCO, an independent agency representing manufacturers of entertainment, studio, and architectural technology. 

New Repertory Theatre is proud to announce that arts leader, director, choreographer, and playwright Michael J. Bobbitt will serve as Artistic Director, beginning August 1, 2019. Bobbitt joins the Watertown, MA-based New Rep after 12 years as Artistic Director of Adventure Theatre-MTC (Musical Theatre Center) in Maryland, where he led the organization to be one of the most respected theatre/training companies in the DC region, as well as one of the nation’s most influential professional theatres for young audiences.

Technology Institute to Raise More Than a Half-Million Dollars Before Its 60th Anniversary

At the Annual Meeting of the USITT membership on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, a major fund-raising initiative was announced that will culminate with the Institute’s 60th anniversary in 2020. The campaign, Setting the Next Stage, was announced by Immediate Past President Mark Shanda.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) announces today that Nataki Garrett will become its sixth artistic director in August 2019, succeeding Bill Rauch. The announcement by OSF Emeritus Board Chair and Search Committee Chair Gail Lopes ends a nearly yearlong search.

Following a major renovation that involved gutting the main building and constructing an entirely new auditorium inside the old structure, Washington D.C.’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts reopened with a stunning performance space that offers the flexibility of Meyer Sound’s Constellation® acoustic system. Dubbed “The Egg” because of its novel curved shape, the new venue hosts the school’s own acclaimed music, dance and theater ensembles as well as performances by renowned guests including the National Symphony and U.S. Navy Band. Whenever direct amplification is required, the new auditorium also provides a house reinforcement system based on Meyer Sound line array loudspeakers.

Be sure to check out the Point Source Audio Tech Talk on the new CO2 Confidence Collection Microphones, as a part of the USITT Micro-Sessions. James Lamb, President of Point Source Audio will be speaking on Friday, March 22^nd from 12:30pm – 1:00pm on the Sound Stage on the Expo floor.