Editor’s Note

Do you realize our lives are in danger every day we step out onto a stage? It is unnerving to think about it. There are thousands of  pounds of pipes, truss, wiring; you name it above our heads. Of course we work under the assumption all of the equipment is hung correct and safe.  Unfortunately, accidents happen. This was the case this past summer with not just one stage collapse, but around the globe.

The mantra of the industry has been, “The show must go on.” It has been that way for years. Regardless of what happens, we must entertain the masses. A light goes out, a cue is missed, but the show must go on. Too many times I have been backstage and a glitch happens before or during the show. Being resourceful and talented people, we find a way to fix the problem and move on. Sometimes it is not the best solution, or even the safest, but the show must go on. We make that square peg fit into the round hole.

The fall is the most exciting time of the year — at least for me it is. I love the changing of the seasons, the vibrant colors in the Blue Ridge mountains. Football is back, the pennant race has begun, the crispness in the air. It’s a wonderful time of year. Most importantly, two of our industry’s biggest trade shows happen. I consider this time of year important for our industry. Call it our Super Bowl, if you will. Two times during the fall, we come together to learn, explore and celebrate.

This summer has turned out to be a costly one. The recent stage collapses have brought to light a call for stricter standards and a closer inspection of rigging practices. It is heartbreaking to hear about the number of people that lost their lives to these devastating events. Could these tragedies have been prevented? We may never know.

I recently looked at my calendar for an upcoming event and realized we are already in August. Where has the summer gone? Before you know it, it will be the winter holiday season, and I will still not have pulled out my swimsuit.

A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from a friend that I haven’t heard from in months. I was excited to hear from him since we’ve been trying to find time to head down to the Potomac River and do some fly fishing together. This wasn’t that call. He was in a “panic” to find a programmer for a show he had coming up in less than a week and asked if I could do it. Quickly looking over my schedule, I could fit it in. “PERFECT!” he said. Before I knew it, I committed to the gig. For this particular friend, I would walk through hell and back. I didn’t realize until later that I’d signed up for 14-hour days — after a week’s worth of travel.

I’m addicted to technology. I love technology; overall it is a wonderful thing, both in our personal and professional lives. But is technology making us lazy? Not physically lazy, though technology could be blamed for my extra pounds; I’m talking about being lazy with our communication and designing habits.

Are we still in an economic recession? I have asked that question to a number of people within the industry. Answers have been running the spectrum from “Yes” to “What recession?” We can sit here and debate whether or not we are, but the fact is, people are starting to spend money again. Tours and productions are going full tilt and requesting more and more production technology.

Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome to PLSN. It is an honor to take the helm of one of the industry's most respected magazines and news sites. As the new editor, I want to introduce myself and tell you a little about what we have in store for you.

What can one say about a man like David Taylor, who was so gifted and talented, so full of humor and kindness, and so giving of himself to the industry and to his loving family, when his life is taken in a tragic accident? David was a lighting consultant, most recently with Arup as the leader of their Theatre Consulting division and with Theatre Projects before that. He died on January 16 at the young age of 48 when he accidentally fell from the roof of a 14-story building in Taipei.