Stage Directions

June 21, 2021—Timeless Communications, publisher of Projection, Lights and Staging News (PLSN); Front of House (FOH); and Stage Directions (SD) magazines, is looking beyond the pandemic to a strong future for the industry and its publications. To that end, they today announced that Stage Directions magazine will merge into PLSN magazine. This will both expand the comprehensive coverage offered by PLSN, the industry’s indisputable leading publication and will better reflect today’s entertainment technology business sector.Read More »Stage Directions to Merge into PLSN Magazine

We at Stage Directions send our sincere congratulations to Playwright, Katori Hall for her being awarded the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for her play The Hot Wing King. The play is a funny, deeply felt consideration of Black masculinity and how it is perceived, filtered through the experiences of a loving gay couple and their extended family as they prepare for a culinary competition. From the Pulitzer Prize announcement – For a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life, Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000). Here’s a trailer of The Hot Wing King from NY’s Signature Theatre:

Read More »The Hot Wing King, by Katori Hall Honored with 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Drama

The gift will establish the Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab for students and teachers

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts announced today that it will establish the Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab, creating a new dedicated educational space in the building, thanks to a $2.5 million donation from theatre legend Harvey Fierstein. Fierstein has also named the Library for the Performing Arts as a beneficiary of the Harvey Fierstein Trust, securing his legacy as a major supporter of the library’s ongoing efforts in documenting, collecting, and preserving the performing arts, and inspiring the next generation of artists.Read More »Harvey Fierstein Donates $2.5 Million to New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

SETC is pleased to announce that effective July 1st, Elizabeth Theodora (she/her) will be SETC’s new Professional Services Manager. Theodora has been with SETC since the Fall of 2019 as its Membership & Technology Manager. She managed possibly the best, most efficient, no-wait convention registration in Louisville 2020. Since, she has been instrumental in navigating the transition of our database and application system to Neon and OpenWater, completing the transition in record time and overhauling SETC’s registration system for 2021 which was a resounding success per post-Convention surveys. In addition, she paved the way for virtual auditions and callbacks so SETC could continue our services during the worst months of the pandemic. Most importantly, Theodora served on SETC’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Task Force, bringing her insightful personal experience and enduring commitment to creating many of SETC’s EDIA initiatives. She will play a pivotal role in making our auditions and job fair more inclusive and accessible.Read More »Elizabeth Theodora is SETC’s New Professional Services Manager

From scenic washes to specials, lighting designer Cory Pattak uses power luminaire’s feature set to stunning effect on Beauty and the Beast

Set against a magnificent red rock canyon backdrop in the Utah desert, Tuacahn Amphitheater in the state’s southwest corner is one of the most picturesque settings you’ll find anywhere for outdoor theatre. Lighting designer Cory Pattak has lit a production of Beauty and the Beast amid the spectacular surroundings and used the venue’s new IP65-rated Proteus Maximus™ moving heads as workhorse front light fixtures. Here’s a preview video from Tuachan for this recent production of Beauty and the Beast showing off the scenic, lighting, and projection designs:

Read More »Proteus Maximus™ Versatility Shines Through at Utah’s Tuacahn Amphitheater

Continuing its support for emerging designers, Vectorworks, Inc. announces the winners for the fifth Vectorworks Design Scholarship. With over 1,800 submissions, scholarships were awarded to 28 students for 21 projects in the architecture, entertainment, landscape, and interior design industries. Winners included both individual and group submissions. Stage Directions sends its congratulations to all of the winners.Read More »Entertainment Winners in the Fifth Vectorworks Design Scholarship

Lifeline Theatre welcomes Amelia Ablan to her new staff position as Production Manager, beginning June 2021. Reporting directly to Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and Managing Director Allison Cain, Ablan will be responsible for overseeing the production processes for the company, collaborating closely with directors and the Artistic Director to fulfill the production needs for Lifeline’s future live and digital programming. Ablan succeeds Jennifer McClendon, who served as Production Manager since 2016, now heading to Providence, RI to Trinity Repertory Company as their new Producing Director.Read More »Amelia Ablan Joins Lifeline Theatre as Production Manager

Berkeley Rep has named Sunshine Deffner as its new Associate Managing Director. Deffner previously worked as the Senior Director of Operations and Education for The California Symphony in Walnut Creek, where she served as an organizational leader for concert operations, artistic administration, program development, strategic partnerships, education programming, and general operations. At Berkeley Rep, Deffner will oversee new program initiatives that support the Rep’s commitment to relevance and diversity. She will also work closely with the Theatre’s Managing Director Susie Medak on the advancement of key priorities across the organization.Read More »Berkeley Rep Announces Sunshine Deffner as New Associate Managing Director