News From
Regional Sections
Desert State: Reviews Annual Meeting, Looks Forward to Long Beach, Costume-Con
The Desert State Regional Section had a spectacular annual meeting on January 16 at Phoenix Theatre. The keynote speaker was Dennita Sewell, curator of fashion design at Phoenix Art Museum. Ms Sewell also led a select group on a tour of the research library at the Phoenix Art Museum.
The Section also welcomed Doug Tuttrup from ETC; Richard Lund from Strand; Clearwing Production’s Jill Maurer, CTS and an ETCP certified rigger; and Dan Schay, formerly of Phoenix Theatre. All of them presented fascinating and educational seminars. Barbizon Arizona was the breakfast sponsor and, for the second year, Clearwing Arizona barbequed lunch. Many thanks go out to Mike Eddy and Phoenix Theatre for graciously allowing the use of the facility.
Desert State will be holding elections this spring for half of the board positions. They are two-year terms and individuals can only stand in an office for two terms. The new board takes office in September, and board meetings are held every other month in various locations throughout the state. The section seeks nominees for Chair, Second Vice-Chair, Secretary, Director, and Member at Large. The general qualifications for office are a willingness to serve the members of the Desert State Section, an ability to work with others, enthusiasm for the purposes of the Section, and a dedication to professionalism in the industry. By the time an individual takes office, he must be an individual member of USITT or be covered by an organizational membership. Anyone interested in running should contact desertstateUSITT@gmail.com.
National Conference is right around the corner and Long Beach is a short drive from Phoenix. The Desert State Section meeting will be 8 a.m. on Thursday March 29 in the Long Beach Convention Center. Look for the room number in the program. Breakfast sponsor is Theatre Safety Program.
Costume-Con 2012 will be held May 11 to 14 at Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. Desert State is supporting this event. This year's theme is Steampunk- Time Travel, Histories that Never Were, Futures That Might Yet Be. During this four-day day event there will be a Future Fashion Folio & Show, a "Project Runway"- style competition, Historical Masquerade, Single Pattern Contest, "Wild Wild West" Friday Night Social, and more. Visit www.costumecon30.com for more information. They are offering USITT members a 20 percent discount on registration.
Southern California: Job Fair, Student Competition Successful
The Southern California Regional Section's Fifth Annual Job Fair Expo and Richard Thompson Student Design and Production Exhibit and Competition Janaury 21 was a success.
"Many many thanks to all who attended," said Donna Parsons, Section co-chair. "A special thanks to Sherry Linnell, James Taylor, and the staff and students at Pomona College for hosting the event."
Workshops included LED color mixing and moving fixtures with Matt Gorka; Interactive Sound Design with Dave Mickey; and Stencils and scene painting with Mary Heilman.
Many professionals donated their time to do portfolio reviews in scenic, costume and lighting design, production, and stage management. Vendor tables were sponsored by PCPA, California State-Fullerton, SFX Props, H & H Specialties, and Rose Brand.
Congratulations to the student competition winners who received Long Beach 2012 Conference & Stage Expo passes. See you in Long Beach!
Ohio Valley: Sours Chosen for Conference Scholarship
The Scholarship Committee of the Ohio Valley Regional Section Andrew Sours of the University of Pittsburgh as this year’s recipient of a full registration to the Long Beach 2012 Conference & Stage Expo.
Mr. Sours is a sound designer in his junior year. Look for a newsletter article from him about his experiences in Long Beach.
The committee was Karen Glass, coordinator; Paul Sanow, Melanie Mortimore, and James Gage.
