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In Memoriam: Dr. Randall W. A. Davidson, a.k.a. Dr. Doom

Dr. Doom (Dr. Randall Davidson) signing one of his books at a USITT convention. Photo by Richard Finkelstein

We at Stage Directions were saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Randall W. A. Davidson, affectionately known to everyone as Dr. Doom for his nearly 80 years of advocating for theater safety and risk management expertise. Born on October 20, 1929, he died on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at the age of 92. We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues around the world on his loss. I will miss seeing his smiling face, all dapper in his purple outfit and hat along with the bright red ribbon of his USITT Fellows ribbon. While small in stature, he was huge in spirit and presence. He, and his work touched many lives. He will be missed. He would end every meeting or correspondence with ‘Prayers Always’. I send him a prayer on his passing and will keep him in my thoughts.Read More »In Memoriam: Dr. Randall W. A. Davidson, a.k.a. Dr. Doom

ETC/High End Systems Lonestar

The ETC/High End Systems Lonestar puts the brightness, quality, and performance of the company’s bright white LED framing fixtures into a more compact package. With a 15,400-lumen output and a rich feature set, Lonestar is well suited for lighting theaters, TV studios, cruise ships, and other applications where small to medium-sized fixtures are required. The luminaire’s rich colors, powerful zoom, full curtain framing, diffusion and prism effects make Lonestar a versatile and affordable tool for designers who want maximum performance from a mid-sized automated fixture.

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Steve Nancarrow Joins Main Light as Rental Executive for Main Light West

Steve Nancarrow

 

Wilmington, DE—Main Light, LLC has hired Steve Nancarrow to be the Rental Executive based at the new Main Light West in Las Vegas, NV. Nancarrow’s responsibilities will include business development and client interfacing with professional production companies on the West Coast.

“I’m honored to be here. Main Light has an excellent reputation in the business and everyone here are among the best,” says Nancarrow. “That is what I love about this industry, first and foremost, the people in it. It’s a vast industry but it’s a small community representing that industry and you end up seeing the same professionals over and over again. Professionals who are highly dedicated, highly professional, and highly skilled, and that certainly includes the people at Main Light. After 27 years, the people that I’ve come across and the friendships that we’ve developed is what I appreciate the most. And, I am looking forward to working with many of those people as Main Light customers, but also meeting new people and helping them get the gear they need; backing up the many different companies Main Light works with on the many interesting projects happening all the time in our industry.”Read More »Steve Nancarrow Joins Main Light as Rental Executive for Main Light West

In Memoriam: Thom Schilling, Production Supervisor, Stage Manager, and General Manager

Thom Schilling

 

Thom Schilling, the general manager, production supervisor, and stage manager for dozens of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and global tours for over 40 years, died in his sleep on August 19, 2021, in New York City. The cause of death is not presently known. Born in 1956, Schilling was 64 years old.Read More »In Memoriam: Thom Schilling, Production Supervisor, Stage Manager, and General Manager

ESTA Bids Fond Farewell to Frances Thompson and Welcomes Laura Hoepker

Frances Thompson

 

After a storied career in the entertainment industry, ESTA’s Membership Manager, Frances Thompson, will be retiring at the end of 2021. For over two decades, she has been a vital force in the growth of the association and a galvanizing presence at trade shows and events. In 1996, Thompson was appointed to the ESTA Board of Directors, after being a part of the Business Resource Group for several years. She then served as Manufacturer Director until early 2000, when she was appointed as an Affiliate Director. Around 2001, Thompson joined the ESTA staff and has since held several titles. On her retirement, Thompson remarked, “I will miss engaging with members and staff. We are irreverent, creative, resourceful, opinionated, and uproarious. But most of my family and friends are as well, so I will be happy.” Thompson may be reached at [email protected] or 865-298-0267 through the end of 2021.Read More »ESTA Bids Fond Farewell to Frances Thompson and Welcomes Laura Hoepker

The Stage Managers’ Association Announces 2021 Del Hughes Awards for Lifetime Achievement

The Stage Managers’ Association (SMA) has announced its annual Del Hughes Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Stage Management. The 2021 honorees are distinguished theatrical stage managers Ruth E. Kramer and Lynda A. Lavin, television stage manager Arthur Lewis, and in-memoriam legendary Broadway stage manager Charles Allen Blackwell. In addition to these Lifetime Achievement Awards, the SMA will honor the 101 Black Stage Managers celebration with a Special Recognition Award.Read More »The Stage Managers’ Association Announces 2021 Del Hughes Awards for Lifetime Achievement

Strand Debuts Acclaim LED Series, a Full Luminaire Solution for Smaller Theatrical Spaces

Dallas, TX—Strand a Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) entertainment lighting brand, today announced the Acclaim LED Series, a complete range of theatrical luminaires ideally suited for education theatre spaces, community… Read More »Strand Debuts Acclaim LED Series, a Full Luminaire Solution for Smaller Theatrical Spaces

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Actors’ Equity and Off-Broadway League Reach New Collective Bargaining Agreement

Actors’ Equity Association and the Off-Broadway League recently announced they have reached a new three-year collective bargaining agreement. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to deliver a contract that addresses the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and includes new workplace safety guidelines and long-term financial stability for stage managers, actors, and producers. The agreement also has new provisions that strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and protocols for addressing issues of harassment and discrimination.Read More »Actors’ Equity and Off-Broadway League Reach New Collective Bargaining Agreement