News From
Regional Sections
Desert State: Plan Event, Investigate Life with War Horse
The Desert State Regional Section is planning an event, The Business of Theatre, April 20 at R.C. Lurie Company in Phoenix, Arizona. Details will be posted on the Desert State webpage and Facebook page.
Desert State held a special workshop February 9 with crew-members of the Warhorse national tour, at the Grady Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, Arizona. The focus of the workshop was life on a national tour and being a member of the union, as well as discussion of the technical challenges specific to Warhorse. In addition, attendees were given a backstage tour.
War Horse Touring Personnel who participated in the TechTalk were Steve Rogers, head audio; Corey Krolikowski, head carpenter; Billy Paton, head electrician; Kurt Oostra, head props; and Dave Vick, head rigger/automation carpenter.
Southeast: Section Experiences Disney 'Magic'
The Southeast Regional Section's annual Master Classes and Design Expo were hosted by Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida from September 27 to 29. They covered a wide variety of topics and allowed participants behind-the-scenes access to many areas of Walt Disney World venues.
Geoff Devenney and his team shared the mechanics and maintenance that creates the death-defying onstage magic of Cirque Du Soleil's La Nouba. Participants were allowed backstage and above-stage access to the scenery, lighting, audio and show control elements of the show. Participants got down and dirty with Dirk Ring, Ryan Abel, and the Epcot technicians exploring the pyrotechnics for Illuminations – Reflections of Earth.
Mary Lilly and Maureen Townsend shared the unique challenges of creating costumes and hair for animatronics. Issues such as access to machinery for maintenance, construction/closures for figures that are permanently mounted to the floor, and oil leakage were just a few of the topics. Steve Probus shared the differences and similarities of props for the wide variety of venues and media handled by the Walt Disney Imagineering Prop Department.
Gene Columbus, executive director of Orlando Repertory, presented the keynote address, sharing his years of experience with the Walt Disney Company managing, producing, casting, and staffing many of the shows and events at Walt Disney World.
The Section also held its fall business meeting and welcomed Chip Hass (UNCG) as Chair and Stacey Galloway (UF) as Vice-Chair for Relations. The group offered its heartfelt thanks to David Wheeler for his many years of service as Section Chair.
The Southeast Section thanked Walt Disney World Resorts and its staff for being such gracious hosts. A special thank you to Jack Feivou, general manager of Epcot & Entertainment, and Wendy Abraham, project and communications integration manager for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Creative Entertainment. The group acknowledged sponsors Barbizon, Charlotte; BMI Supply; Sculptural Arts Coatings; Stage Rigging Services; and Stage Decoration & Supply.
