Golden Pen Nominations Open
The Oscar G. Brockett Golden Pen Award, sponsored by USITT and the Oscar G. Brockett Center for Theatre History and Criticism at the University of Texas – Austin, honors an outstanding publication in the field of design and production for the performing arts.
The recipient of this award, first given in 1986, is the author of an outstanding, major, recent publication in the field of design and production for the performing arts. The winning works are significant in the field of performing arts and are outstanding examples of one or more of the following:
- Scholarly research and critical thinking
- Presentation of the work and methodology of exceptional practitioners for theatrical arts and/or crafts
- Description of the methods, skills, and technology involved in creating works of theatre and/or crafts
Karen Maness, co-author of The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop, (Regan Arts 2016) said, “Richard and I are grateful to USITT for honoring The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop with the 2018 Oscar G. Brockett Golden Pen Award. With an origin stemming from the 2012 USITT session, ‘The West Coast Scenic,’ it is opportune for the book to return home for this tremendous honor. An award made more meaningful named after our beloved colleague Oscar Brockett.”
Recipients are honored during the Annual Conference & Stage Expo where an autograph session is generally held. Books will be eligible for a three-year period from the date of publication.
Find additional award and nomination information, here.
Architecture Awards Are Open
Design practitioners, we want to hear from you. Enter one or more of your projects for consideration in USITT’s 2019 Architecture Awards sponsored by the USITT Architecture Commission. the Architecture Awards Program honors excellence in design and recognizes architects of theatre projects. Entries may be for new spaces or renovations of existing spaces of any size or location.
Find award and entry information, here.
Collaborator Party Hits Record Attendance
On the night of the Tony awards, technicians, designers, stage managers, and other industry professionals gathered in select cities to support and celebrate the work of those behind the scenes. With record attendance and resounding positive feedback, the fourth annual Collaborator Party, sponsored by USITT, was a great success.
The Collaborator Party’s inaugural event came after the Tony Awards eliminated the awards dedicated to sound design in 2014. Following the 2017 reinstatement of the sound design category, the event has blossomed into a party for all who work, contribute to, and collaborate in a theatrical setting.
Collaborator Party co-founders Lindsay Jones and John Gromada were joined this year not only by fellow collaborators but by a slew of co-hosts including Rick Sordelet (Indecent), Caite Hevner (In Transit), Carol Fishman (Playwrights Horizons) and many others.
“It was so incredibly gratifying and heart-warming to see the entire theatre community to come together and celebrate each other in a fun and positive environment,” Jones said. “John and I were completely blown away by all of the people who reached out to help make this event happen, including our co-hosts, our satellite party hosts, our volunteer staff and most importantly, our amazing sponsor USITT. We thank everyone for making this year’s event the best one yet, and we can’t wait to see everyone again next year!”
The main party was held June 10, 2018, at Houston Hall in New York City, with additional parties held simultaneously in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Southern Indiana. The event had a record-breaking turnout in all cities, and in some cases, attendance was more than double of any previous year.
“Before this gathering came to be, New York theatre folk who were lucky enough to be working on a Broadway production could attend their show’s party … and that was about it,” Gromada said. “Everyone else might get together at a friend’s house or watch the TV telecast alone. The Collaborator Party extends this day of communal celebration to Broadway, off-Broadway, and resident theatre folks around the country. It honors the best spirit of why so many people remain dedicated to the art. It’s shocking no one thought of doing it sooner.”
Long Reach Long Riders Set off on Annual Motorcycle Ride
Former USITT President Joe Aldridge and current USITT board member Loren Schreiber made a pit stop at the national office on June 21.
The two were headed to New Hampshire to participate in the Long Reach Long Riders 15th annual motorcycle ride to raise money and awareness for Behind the Scenes Charity and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This year’s trek, “The Gap and Notch Tour: A Ramble Through New England,” took place June 23-30. Several members of the national office staff also had a great time sitting atop some of the bikes!
Learn more about the yearly ride and the causes the money goes toward here: http://lrlr.org/about
