News From
Around the Institute
Leadership Transitions
July 1 is a time of transition around USITT. We close out one year and begin another. We express our appreciation for the service of those on the Board of Directors whose terms come to a close June 30 -- Emily Gill, R. Michael Gros, Rafael Jaen, Debra Garcia Lockwood, Jill Maurer, and Stephanie Young. During their years of service they have seen transformations, new initiatives, and the fruition of long-range plans.
At the same time we welcome Paul Brunner, Tayneshia Jefferson, Michael Katz, Elynmarie Kazle, Robert Scales, and Kim Scott who will serve three-year terms on the Board of Directors, bringing their knowledge and experience with USITT and the industry to help with the governance of the organization.
Personal Transition
We wish warmest congratulations to USITT's Engineering Co-Commissioner on her recent marriage. Kimberly Corbett Oates, who is with the Dallas office of Schuler Shook, will use both names professionally. Her new husband, Michael Oates, is a native Texan.
Gallinati Joins Gopher
Chérie Gallinati
Chérie Gallinati joined the team at Gopher Stage Lighting, returning to the industry after a brief hiatus with a soft goods/orthopedics manufacturer. She has worked for more than 10 years in the Twin Cities theatre and construction trades, both at SECOA and Norcostco. Her degrees are from Coe College in Cedar Rapids (BFA, theatre arts) and The Ohio State University (MFA, lighting design). She also designs freelance all over the Twin Cities, both for theatre and for movies. Her most recent production, The Giant Spider, premiered on May 22 at The Heights Theatre.
Gramza Wins Award
Congratulations to Janet Gramza, Communications Associate in USITT's National Office in Syracuse, New York, who recently won a Syracuse Press Club Professional Recognition Award for a story she wrote for The Post-Standard newspaper in 2012.
The story, "Chris Ulanowski: A Public Man's Private Turmoil," examined how a well-known Central New York newsman lost his career and ultimately committed suicide due to borderline personality disorder. Janet joined the USITT staff in November 2012.
In Memoriam – Kurt Sharp
Kurt Sharp, a regular participant at USITT’s Annual Conference, died in May while fighting to recover from an auto accident. He had been hospitalized since November 2012.
Kurt was a very talented scenic designer and scenic artist for theatre, film, and television, mostly in the Chicago area as a member of United Scenic Artists. Having served as a member of both the Central Region Board and the Executive Board of Local USA-829, he helped to provide information about the Local as a USITT session panelist for many years. Kurt worked with Chicago Scenic Studio for more than 20 years, and he designed scenery for many Chicago-area theatres, including more than 40 productions at the Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre. He received his MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a concentration in scenic design and a secondary emphasis in costume design, and his BA in theatre with an acting concentration from Illinois State University. He will be missed by his many friends and colleagues within USITT and United Scenic Artists.
