Early Career Mentoring Seeks Candidates
The Early Career Mentoring program is for Early Career Members who plan to attend USITT19, March 20-23, 2019, in Louisville. The USITT Fellows have created this unique opportunity to establish a long-term relationship between Mentors and Early Career Members. Two Early Career Members will be selected to meet one-on-one at the Conference with a seasoned professional in their field of interest. Mentors will discuss career opportunities, future goals, and introduce mentees to USITT members and exhibitors. Mentees will receive travel and housing support along with conference registration. There’s still time! Register here.
Stage Management Mentor Project
There are only two days left to get your applications in for this popular mentoring opportunity. The Stage Management Mentor Project (SMMP) offers students and young professionals interested in stage management the opportunity to participate in a practical training experience. With the support of professional stage managers, participants coordinate and manage the major events of the Annual Conference & Stage Expo. Students and mentors work together to prepare and realize the various and often complex events. Apply here before the Nov. 15, deadline.
Innovation Grants
You haven’t missed your chance yet to seek Institute funding to assist you in pursuing your innovative research agenda in 2019, but time is running out. Nov. 19, 2018, is the deadline to submit a proposal in the current round of the Innovation Grant awards to be distributed in early 2019. Interested applicants can check the full guideline details and submit their application here. Review of all submitted proposals will be conducted immediately following, with Board of Directors action to award scheduled for Jan. 17, 2019.
Member Author Books
It is time once again to begin our search for USITT member authors who are interested in participating in the USITT19 Member Author Book Signing event. Members who have authored or co-authored a book in theatre design or technology may participate in this event. The title must be published and available for purchase by Dec. 31, 2018. USITT will purchase copies and ship them to Conference for the event. Event times and dates will be available as they are scheduled.
This program is a great opportunity to promote your book to thousands of performing arts and entertainment professionals.
Please contact Carol Carrigan for more information.
Cornish College of the Arts Theatre Department Turns 100
Cornish College of the Arts’ Theater Department has begun a year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary this fall. The fall semester productions begin with two challenging and important works by Caryl Churchill, including the local premiere of Love and Information. Earlier in 2018, Cornish hosted two of our popular Jay O. Glerum Rigging Masterclasses. USITT congratulates the college on this milestone!
Clearwing Productions to Host Inaugural AVL Expo
Clearwing Productions will host the inaugural AVL Expo on Dec. 4, at the Arizona Grand Resort. This will be Clearwing’s largest event to date, featuring product demonstrations from 100 AVL-related manufacturers. More information and RSVP here.
Drama Book Shop to Close Doors in 2019
Information sourced from Playbill.com
A year after it celebrated its 100th anniversary, the Drama Book Shop has told Crain’s New York Business that it will close the doors to its midtown Manhattan home in early 2019 due to a recent steep rent increase. The Drama Book Shop has been location of many USITT book signings for the Designs of Series and others and sells an impressive collection of musical and play scripts, biographies, historical books, and more. The shop is said to be looking to re-open in a different location within the theatre district.
BackStage Pass: Reflections on Life in the Theatre
BackStage Pass: Reflections on Life in the Theatre is a video program for the live event entertainment industry. In this installment, Executive Producer Bill Sapsis talks with Founder and CEO of ETC, Fred Foster about the beginnings of ETC and how the company became a major force in the lighting industry. Fred also talks about some of the challenges he has faced and offers the viewer a look into his life with his family, friends, and colleagues. Watch the full interview here.
Colleen Muscha to Receive Distinguished Career Award
USITT congratulates longtime member Colleen Muscha, professor and director of the MFA costume design program at Florida State University, for being presented with a Distinguished Career Award for Outstanding Contribution to Florida’s College/University Programs at this year’s Florida Theatre Conference. The award was given on Oct. 27, during the closing ceremony of the conference.
Muscha has been the director of the costume design MFA program for more than 25 years. She has designed costumes professionally at numerous regional theatres including the Dallas, Utah, and Alabama Shakespeare Festivals; Milwaukee Repertory Theatre; Cleveland Playhouse; Penn Centre Stage; Berkeley Repertory Theatre; and Asolo Repertory Theatre. Muscha serves as the Don Stowell, Jr. Professor of Costume Design at FSU.
