Hoffend & Sons, Inc. of Rochester, New York, has upgraded its support to USITT to the level of Contributing Member. Hoffend recently introduced its new VORTEK, which it calls the automated standard for safer theatre rigging. The heart of VORTEK is the fully mechanical, continuously applied backup brake. Its automation center features cueing and grouping for precise synchronization. The company created a major display as part of the 2004 Stage Expo. To learn more, visit www.hoffend.net.

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Marian Sandberg-Dierson has been named editor of Lighting Dimensions. Mark Newman was named as managing editor and Lauren Thompson was named editorial coordinator for both Lighting Dimensions and Entertainment Design. The appointments were announced by David Johnson, editorial director and associate publisher of both magazines, and is the first step in an overall plan to re-focus Lighting Dimensions as a hands-on technical journal dedicated to the new generation of lighting professionals.

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Rosco has scheduled a series of free day-long professional development workshops in theatres across the nation. Designed for lighting and scenic professionals, teachers, and technicians and led by Rosco Product Managers, the workshops show how to create stage pictures and effects with lighting or scenery. For complete descriptions of the workshops, and a list of locations in Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; Berkeley and Los Angeles, California; Detroit, Michigan; and Kansas City, visit the Rosco web page and follow the link to Professional Development Workshops or call Rosco at 800-767-2669, extension 211.

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Again in 2004, Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. (ETC) will offer graduate students an opportunity for an all-expense-paid trip to LDI in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 22 to 24. Six graduate students will be chosen from among graduate students in lighting design, theatre technology, or closely related fields. Applications are available from the ETC web site at www.etcconnect.com and were also distributed from the ETC booth at Stage Expo. This is the fifth year ETC has awarded the sponsorships, which include airfare, hotel, meals, conference pass, and an exclusive student reception. Deadline for the sponsorships, which foster future lighting design talent, is May 7.

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Texas Scenic Company President Glenn C. Martin III has welcomed a new employee, Paul Aneshansel, who joins the company as a project manager. Mr. Aneshansel was manager of building operations and technical director at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts in Houghton, Michigan and as technical director at the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles, Illinois.

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This column is specifically written for and about USITT Contributing members. We are delighted to receive news and press releases about all our members. Please mail, fax, or e-mail your news to Barbara E.R. Lucas, Public Relations & Marketing Manager, at the USITT Office or write barbara@office.usitt.org. If there is something special you would like us to write about, call 800-93USITT. Deadlines for upcoming issues are noted in the USITT Calendar.

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