Skip to content

Stage Directions

#Rigsafe Day 2022: Are You Rigging Safely?

Today April 29th is Arbor Day in the technical theater industry. It’s also known as #Rigsafe day! While normal Arbor Day is typically a holiday focused on planting trees to celebrate their importance, an “arbor” in the technical theater world is a rack that contains weights used to balance a load in a counterweight rigging system. USITT recognizes Arbor Day as a day to celebrate rigging safety and training for everyone in our industry. Use Arbor Day to thank a rigger, celebrate safe practices, or to promote a renewed commitment to safety. Here’s a sneak peek at one of the many rigging safety videos USITT will be posting today:

Read More »#Rigsafe Day 2022: Are You Rigging Safely?

In Memoriam: Martee Nuruddin, 68

PLSN learned of the passing of Martin “Martee” Nuruddin, Vice President of PRG Orlando on April 14th. Nuruddin, born on February 15, 1954, was 68. He was a 44-year member of IATSE Local One, having been initiated on February 2, 1978. He worked throughout the Broadway jurisdiction and started his career as an apprentice at Vanco in New York. He would move to Florida to open Vanco Orlando.Read More »In Memoriam: Martee Nuruddin, 68

Wheeler Moon Lights Rock Musical ‘Passing Strange’ with Bandit Lites

When UNCSA schools of Drama and Design & Production presented the groundbreaking rock musical Passing Strange, written by Tony-award winning artist Stew, Lighting Designer Wheeler Moon knew he needed a unique rig for the unique show. Bandit Lites was thrilled to provide gear to help Moon realize his vision for the production’s lighting.Read More »Wheeler Moon Lights Rock Musical ‘Passing Strange’ with Bandit Lites

Shure KSM11 Wireless Vocal Mic Capsule

On April 18, Shure introduced the KSM11 Wireless Vocal Microphone Capsule, which features the company’s new premium condenser microphone transducer technology. Promising an elegant combination of low and mid-range clarity and essential high-end detail, the KSM11 is already being adopted by some of the industry’s biggest names. Here’s a preview video from Shure on the KSM11:

Read More »Shure KSM11 Wireless Vocal Mic Capsule

Announcing The Release of USITT/TSDCA Sound Documentation Recommended Practice

Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA), in partnership with USITT, are very proud to announce the immediate release of the USITT/TSDCA Sound Documentation Recommended Practice. A multi-year collaboration of members of the Sound Commission of USITT and Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA), this comprehensive document is recommended for all practitioners of Theatre Sound in both professional and educational theatre.Read More »Announcing The Release of USITT/TSDCA Sound Documentation Recommended Practice

Ayrton Diablo Impresses on Musical Theater Tour of ‘Ghost: Nachricht von Sam’

Ayrton was recently delighted to receive this message from lighting designer Phil Kong of Kong Design, Inc.: “We just used 20 Ayrton Diablo’s on Ghost: Nachricht von Sam [Ghost: Message from Sam] for ShowSlot GmbH and I wanted to let you know I was very happy with them for all of the things they were able to do, and how fast they were. The flat field, the gobos, the color rendering – a lot of good things going on with them – and the size and price point are great. I was so glad to have these Ayrton fixtures on the show.” Naturally, Ayrton just had to find out more.Read More »Ayrton Diablo Impresses on Musical Theater Tour of ‘Ghost: Nachricht von Sam’

Meet Samantha Weiser, The 2022 Howell Binkley Fellow

The Howell Binkley Fellowship Program, part of the Hemsley Lighting Programs, proudly announces its Fellow for the 2022-23 season, Samantha (Sam) Weiser (she/her). Weiser hails from Long Island, NY where she was exposed to theatre at a young age. Her passion for lighting design led her to the Long Island High School for the Arts and then to receive her BFA from the University of Michigan in 2020. Her favorite part of designing is turning “what if’s” into reality.Read More »Meet Samantha Weiser, The 2022 Howell Binkley Fellow

2022 Vectorworks Design Scholarship Now Open for Submissions

Global design and BIM software provider Vectorworks, Inc. opens its sixth Vectorworks Design Scholarship. This global competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students in major disciplines related to entertainment design, architecture, landscape architecture, landscape design, and interior design who can now submit either new or past projects for a chance to win up to $10,000 USD. The entry deadline is July 31, 2022. The winners will be revealed on December 9, 2022.Read More »2022 Vectorworks Design Scholarship Now Open for Submissions