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Stage Directions

Lectrosonics DBSM/DBSMD Bodypack Transmitters Named as a Finalist for NAMM TEC Award

Lectrosonics is pleased to announce that the DBSM single battery/DBSMD dual-battery bodypack transmitters have been nominated as a finalist for the 37th Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards for Technical Achievement in the category of Wireless Technology. The NAMM TEC awards recognize innovative product design and excellence in audio and sound production, with outstanding technical achievement including 21 categories which span across the professional audio product spectrum.Read More »Lectrosonics DBSM/DBSMD Bodypack Transmitters Named as a Finalist for NAMM TEC Award

Video Interview | LD Jeff Croiter on Lighting Freestyle Love Supreme for Broadway Run & US Tour with 4Wall

 

After almost a year and a half of no Broadway shows, the doors finally opened in October 2021. The reopening of the improvisational hip-hop comedy musical group Freestyle Love Supreme, started by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Anthony Veneziale in 2004, presented an opportunity for Tony-Award-winning Lighting Designer Jeff Croiter to upgrade his rig with gear from 4Wall Entertainment. Check out the video below for 4Wall’s full interview with LD Croiter on his work on Freestyle Love Supreme:

Read More »Video Interview | LD Jeff Croiter on Lighting Freestyle Love Supreme for Broadway Run & US Tour with 4Wall

Be An #ArtsHero Testified Before Congress Advocating for Secretary of Arts and Culture

Be an #artshero testified before Congress on Jan. 19 in first ever hearing on creative economy in its entirety to advocate for Secretary of Arts and Culture

On January 19, 2022, Congress held a historic hearing in the Small Business Committee surveying the current state of the creative industry and its overall impact on the American economy. The hearing gathered artists and creative workers led by Carson Elrod, co-founder of Be An #ArtsHero/Arts Workers United, to testify on the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their industry and ways that Congress can better support the creative economy moving forward. Here is a video of the hearing in case you want to watch or rewatch it:

Read More »Be An #ArtsHero Testified Before Congress Advocating for Secretary of Arts and Culture

On Our Team Launches New System for Establishing and Recognizing Pay Equity in Theater

Certification for the Pay Equity Standards is open for theater companies nationwide

On Our Team has developed a first of its kind tool to help theater companies establish pay equity within their organization and serve as a public recognition for equitably paid theater.Read More »On Our Team Launches New System for Establishing and Recognizing Pay Equity in Theater

The 2022 New World Rigging Symposium Announces Sessions

The 2022 New World Rigging Symposium, taking place virtually April 5-7, brings together professional riggers, engineers, manufacturers, venue managers, educators, and students to further their rigging knowledge, hear about challenging projects, get up to speed on new technologies, discuss current industry challenges, and get their questions answered.Read More »The 2022 New World Rigging Symposium Announces Sessions

In Memoriam: Lina (Jean) Burch, Technical Director and Project Manager

Stage Directions has learned that Technical Director, Lina (Jean) Burch, 47, passed away quietly in her home in Kenosha, WI on December 1, 2021 at the age of 47. She had been working as the Technical Director at Milliken University since August 2020. Burch wrote for her blog Technical Direction Tidbits since 2007 and was very involved with the USITT Midwest Regional Section where she currently served as the Vice Chair of Programming on the Board of Directors and had been a Director at Large. Prior to her position at Milliken, she had freelanced as a project manager and technical director in the Chicago area and worked for a number of years at Chicago Scenic Studios as a project manager. Burch had an MFA in Technical Design and Production from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. We at PLSN and Stage Directions send our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues in the industry. Here is a recent remembrance from USITT, which Burch was very involved over her theater career.Read More »In Memoriam: Lina (Jean) Burch, Technical Director and Project Manager

Broadway’s Mask and Vaccination Policy Extended to April 30

Full vaccination to be required for children under twelve beginning January 29

The Broadway League announced today that the owners and operators of all 41 Broadway theatres in New York City are extending mask and vaccine requirements through April 30, 2022, along with the Buy With Confidence program which allows for flexible exchanges and refunds.Read More »Broadway’s Mask and Vaccination Policy Extended to April 30

Ayrton Diablo—Lights that Don’t Go Wrong

“For Mischief’s Magic Goes Wrong, it is the show that is comedy chaos on stage,” opens its lighting designer, David Howe. “It must never be the lights that go wrong!”

Co-written by Mischief and international magicians, Penn and Teller, Magic Goes Wrong, first opened at London’s Vaudeville Theatre in 2019 before touring the UK since July ’21. A West End version returned to London in October with a relaunch at the Apollo Theatre that will run until February 2022. The comedy play is presented as a fundraiser and features a string of inept magicians doing their best acts to raise money for ‘disasters in magic’. The result is a fast-paced variety show with high production values and great audience interaction.Read More »Ayrton Diablo—Lights that Don’t Go Wrong

Jeremy Billig Succeeds Malcom McLaren as CEO of the McLaren Engineering Group

Malcolm McLaren, PE, Founder and Chairman, is pleased to announce the next phase of McLaren Engineering Group’s succession plan with the appointment of Jeremy Billig, PE, current President, to the role of CEO. Billig will be taking the helm of McLaren’s operational structure as Mal shifts into a new strategic position as Executive Chairman of the Board.Read More »Jeremy Billig Succeeds Malcom McLaren as CEO of the McLaren Engineering Group

Robe Adds Magic to Cinderella Panto Production

The UK panto season is back with a big bang after waiting in the wings during 2020 as the country squared up to Covid-19, reigniting all things panto like slapstick comedy, low-brow innuendo, gawdy sets, psychedelic vibrance, and total craziness for which it’s known and appreciated, with lighting designers around the country delighted to be back working on this peculiarly English—and highly expressive genre of performance.Read More »Robe Adds Magic to Cinderella Panto Production

The New 1/52 Project Grant Program Encourages Early Career Theater Designers and Industry Diversity

The 1/52 Project is a newly launched financial grant program which will offer $15,000 grants to theater designers. The project hopes to encourage early career designers from historically excluded groups with the aim of diversifying and strengthening the Broadway design community. The 1/52 project is funded by designers with shows running on Broadway who are encouraged to donate one week every year of their weekly royalties to this fund, thus the name of 1/52 Project.Read More »The New 1/52 Project Grant Program Encourages Early Career Theater Designers and Industry Diversity