News From
Around the Institute
Kim Scott Promoted
Congratulations to USITT Board Member Kim Scott, whose responsibilities at Cirque du Soleil have expanded to include Company Manager of The Beatles LOVE show at The Mirage in Las Vegas. Kim continues to serve as Company Manager for the Cirque production CRISS ANGEL Believe at the Luxor Las Vegas.
Kim was elected to a three-year term on USITT's Board of Directors last year. She helped launch USITT's Elite Training program in 2011 and helped found Cirque du Soleil's Resident Show Division Training Center for technical staff training in Vegas in 2009.
Aldridge Honored as Top UNLV Alumnus
Congratulations to Joe Aldridge, USITT's former president, who has been piling up the honors in the past year. Most recently, he received the UNLV Alumnus of the Year award. Part of his extensive biography, highlighted in announcing the honor, included, "It is this commitment to safety and technical theatre innovation that separates Aldridge from anyone else in the business of technical theatre. He is the Past President of the most prestigious technical theatre membership organization in the world: the United States Institute for Theatre Technology."
You can watch part of the presentation here.
David Grindle Named Show Manager of the Year
USITT Executive Director David Grindle won a Show Manager of the Year Award from The Expo Group at the 2014 Trade Show News Network Awards Nov. 14-16 in Cleveland.
The award honored David's work to make USITT's Annual Conference & Stage Expo a great experience for attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors. David was among five trade show execs who won in categories based on the size of their event. TSNN ranks USITT as a Tier III event, with 300 to 700 booths.
David received the SMOTY crystal obelisk and a donation to the charity of his choice; he chose USITT and the Syracuse Vocal Ensemble.
Ann Roth, USITT book, featured on CBS Sunday Morning
CBS Sunday Morning recently profiled costume designer Ann Roth, winner of USITT's 2014 Distinguished Achievement Award in Costume Design – and listed USITT-published The Designs of Ann Roth as a key resource.
The show, aired on November 23, gave an up-close look at Ms. Roth's work to turn stars like Glenn Close and John Lithgow into their characters, from the 1982 film The World According to Garp to the new Broadway production of Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance.
Ms. Roth was a highlight of USITT 2014 in Fort Worth, where she received her Distinguished Achievement Award and held her first book-signing for The Designs of Ann Roth by Holly Poe Durbin and Bonnie Kruger. The book is the latest in USITT's The Designs of series, and is available at www.usitt.org/store.
Myers Receives PLASA's Swan Award
Dinna Myers recently received PLASA's highest honor, the Eva Swan Award, which recognizes exceptional, long-term commitment to the association.
The award was presented at the Behind the Scenes Happy Hour November 20, the evening before the LDI Show.
The Swan Award is presented to a member who has put forth exceptional efforts in time, expertise, and personal resources, and has been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction and contributing to the realization of the association's mission. Dinna Myers has gone above and beyond these criteria to create a stronger, better industry for all.
Dinna Myers, director of sales and marketing at USITT Contributing member Musson Theatrical, has made a significant impact on the association during her many years of service on committees and the board including terms as dealer representative and secretary. Instrumental in crafting membership campaigns, setting communication strategies, and developing member benefits, her work with ESTA, now PLASA, has helped create the largest and most diverse community of entertainment technology companies and professionals.
