News & Notices
Announcements
Milwaukee Hotels Filling Up
Planning to stay with USITT in Milwaukee? Visit the housing site as soon as possible to make reservations. While USITT's original block of rooms is almost full, the Institute is seeking additional nearby hotels and negotiating favorable rates for guests. The USITT housing site will stay open until mid-February or beyond if additional rooms are available. USITT is looking at potential additional hotels nearby, and if additional rooms are found, they will be available through the housing site until mid-February.
Early Deadline Looms
February 7 is the last day to register for the 2013 Annual Conference & Stage Expo at the early rate. Make the decision to attend before that date to save money.
USITT members should log in before completing their registration to receive the steeply discounted member price to attend the event in Milwaukee March 20 to 23.
Propose an Education Session
The Education Commission is seeking sessions for Fort Worth, USITT 2014! Check out the proposal form on the Education Commission website. Proposals are due March 11.
Contact usitt.educomm@gmail.com with questions or for more information.
Training Trust Reimburses Certification, Recertification Costs
The IATSE Entertainment and Exhibition Industries Training Trust Fund will offer reimbursement to those who take and pass any of the three ETCP Examinations: Rigger- Arena, Rigger- Theatre, and Entertainment Electrician.
The Trustees have approved reimbursement of up to $300 for initial certification costs for up to 100 certifications per calendar year. ETCP Certification must be renewed every five years, and the Training Trust will reimburse these costs as well. Those interested in reimbursement must submit a Student Reimbursement Request Form.
The Training Trust will give priority to Locals that have IA Training Trust contribution language in their collective agreements. Many IATSE Locals reimburse their members for the full amount of certification costs. If a candidate/certified technician’s Local is unable to provide this service, the IATSE International resource is available.
Candidate information, including handbooks, applications and examination content, can be found at etcp.plasa.org.
Report, Survey Outline Theatre Education Trends
Workshops and classes in schools are the most common forms of arts education programming, according to the Special Report on Education 2011: Indispensible Resources.
Released by Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the report compiles the essential arts education resources from the past year, along with the results from the TCG Education Survey 2011.
The survey and report highlight new research by the Arts Education Partnership, the National Endowment for the Arts, the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities and the U.S. Department of Education. The report also features links to online arts education tools and resources.
The TCG Education Survey 2011 includes reporting by 103 TCG Member Theatres about their education programming, including answers to questions regarding demographics, staffing, expenses, and income:
- 91% of respondents reported offering in-school workshops and classes, the most common form of theatre education programming.
- 65% offer access programs for economically disadvantaged students.
- 55% offer professional development in arts education for classroom teachers.
- 32% offer programs specifically to develop and strengthen literacy.
- Reporting theatres employed an average of 3.1 full-time education staff, 2.6 part-time education staff, and 19.9 artist educators.
To download the report, visit www.tcg.org/tools/education.
Pledges Bento Box Profits to Behind the Scenes
Lex Products has stepped forward to support Behind the Scenes in 2013 by donating profits from the sales of its Bento box line to the charity. The Bento boxes are Lex Products' smallest series of UL Listed boxes for distributing power or breaking out circuits. Their compact size makes them ideal for tight space above the stage or for convenient use on location. Engineered thermoplastic construction makes them a very durable, fully insulated solution.
The Behind the Scenes program provides financial assistance to entertainment technology professionals who are seriously ill or injured. For more information, to donate, or to apply for a grant, visit www.estafoundation.org/bts.htm.
