News From:
Around the Institute
Carrie Robbins Book Signing Successful
Congratulations to Carrie Robbins and Annie O. and Barry Cleveland on an extremely successful book-signing event for the USITT Monograph Series book, The Designs of Carrie Robbins, held at Drama Bookshop in Manhattan.
Ms. Robbins and the Clevelands were on hand to sign copies of the monograph, which debuted at the 2011 Annual Conference & Stage Expo where Ms. Robbins was also presented the USITT Distinguished Achievement Award in Costume Design.
New Book Chronicles Journey to Theatre Success
A Theatre Project: An Autobiographical Story by Richard Pilbrow is now available!
Subtitled A Backstage Adventure: Triumph, Disaster, and Renewal that Changed Stage Lighting and the Shape of Theatre, the book is the story of both Mr. Pilbrow's life and of Theatre Projects, the company he founded over 50 years ago.
It tells the story of an upstart company that began on a shoestring budget under the stage of Her Majesty's Theatre, London and went on to extraordinary success. A Theatre Project launched at the ABTT trade show in London. Mr. Pilbrow is an active USITT Fellow and is expected to sign copies of his book at the 2012 USITT Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Long Beach next March.
Engineering Commission Changes Leadership
Mary Montalvo, USITT Engineering Commissioner, has stepped down from that position. The new Engineering Commissioner is Mitch Hefter with Kimberly Corbett as VC-Programming. Kim is actively involved with PLASA's Rigging Standard Committee and has a strong theatre background. She is a Project Consultant for Schuler Shook Theatre Planners.
In stepping down, Ms. Montalvo noted that "The Institute has provided me with life time friendships, personal and professional growth," and that her commission involvement dates to a time when program sessions were typed or hand written and sent via fax. In closing, she noted, "The United States Institute for Theatre Technology is truly a gift to all who become involved."
John Murray Joins Magazine Editorial Staff
John Murray, a longtime audio professional who has worked in every facet of the live event industry, has joined Front of House magazine as technical editor. Most recently, Murray was technical editor of Live Sound for 10 years. He joins a new team that includes Mark Frink, editor, and Mark Herman, consulting editor.
Randy Gener Named Editor-in-Chief at PQ
Randy Gener, the Nathan Award–winning editor, writer and drama critic, was editor-in-chief of Prague Quadrennial Daily in the Czech Republic and was invited to present a lecture at the Faculty of the Arts of Charles University in Prague (Univerzita Karlova v Praze). It is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic and one of the oldest universities in Europe in continuous operation. He served as editor and columnist of Prague Quadrennial Daily in 2007 as well as Scenofest team leader of the press/publication project.
A broadsheet, the Prague Quadrennial Daily takes a lively, irreverent, pop-culture approach to covering PQ events.
Alfred University's Theatre Completed
A new theatre was recently completed for The Miller Performing Arts Center at Alfred University in Alfred, New York. Acentech's Studio A, consulted on the design of the new, 470-seat, proscenium theatre with Kallmann McKinnell & Wood Architects of Boston and David Weiss, theatre consultant from Charlottesville, Virginia.
Dr. James C. Marchant To Lead Utah University's Program
Dr. James C. Marchant was appointed director of the Arts Administration (MFA) Program and Utah Center for Arts Administration at Southern Utah University, Cedar City.
The program provides an interdisciplinary education that develops well-rounded generalists employable in any of the arts disciplines as professional arts administrators. The Utah Center for Arts Administration is a comprehensive resource for arts organizations offering consulting, virtual educational services, and professional seminars.
Dr. Marchant has a bachelor of arts degree from The American University in Justice with a focus in theatre, a law degree from the Beasley School of Law at Temple University and a Ph.D. in art education concentrating in cultural policy and arts administration from the Ohio State University. Most recently, he was the program coordinator for the arts administration program at the Savannah College of Art & Design, working out of its Atlanta campus. He has an interest in endangered languages and cultures and how the arts are utilized in issues of social justice.
