News From David Grindle, USITT Executive Director
Here’s to Us, Partner!
Partnering with other organizations is key to USITT’s success. One event this months wouldn’t exist without an effective partnership between organizations.
LiNK, the college interview and audition weekend November 13 to 15 in Atlanta, Georgia, came about because members asked for that type of event. Our smaller academic institutions would not have been able to afford the high participation costs driven by paying for interview space, marketing, and managing such an event. Since those schools in particular were the ones asking, we needed to find a solution.
The Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) was interested in a similar event. SETC includes not only design and technology programs but acting and directing. With our complementary membership bases and complementary missions, SETC was the perfect organization with which to develop LiNK. USITT and SETC share the expenses of the event and any funds left over. This allows us to offer a significant event at a reasonable cost to participants.
By partnering with other associations, USITT can pool resources and be more effective. Partnerships allow us to share information with members that may be of benefit to each of our constituencies. Members need to know that their associations are seeking to provide the best services at an affordable price. At the same time, we should not create redundant resources or events when we serve many of the same people.
USITT has developed partnerships with organizations in the United States and abroad. We are able to promote the work of USITT and its membership through these partnerships and bring more information to our members as well. Theatre design and technology is part of so many areas and venues that USITT has many opportunities to partner.
Members interested in historic theatres can connect, through their USITT membership, with the League of Historic American Theatres. Anyone traveling abroad and who wants to connect with people in the industry can contact USITT for connections with partner associations around the world. Looking for information on arenas or performing arts centers? Let us connect you with the International Association of Venue Managers. These are but a few of partnerships that help USITT help its members.
Thank you for being part of USITT. Our diverse membership of designers, technicians, managers, architects, engineers, and more are connecting and connected through the Institute and its many partnerships.
