A Canadian company specializing in the design, implementation, and supply of motion control systems and custom electronics for the entertainment industry has joined USITT at the Sustaining member level. Niscon Inc. of Missisauga notes its Raynok Motion Control System is an industry leader turning dreams of creative scenic imagery into a reality of stage effects. Raynok commands the rigging systems at Caesar's Palace Coliseum Theatre in Las Vegas and Singapore National Arts Council Drama Theatre. Learn more about Niscon at www.nisconinc.com or see them at Stage Expo in Toronto, Canada in March.

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We also welcome Korean National University of the Arts as a new Sustaining member. The university offers both bachelor of fine arts and master of fine arts degrees through its School of Drama's Department of Stage Design. Faculty members include Sang-chul Choi, Jeong-seop Yoon, and Hee-sun Ko. Korean National University of the Arts will have a booth at Stage Expo in Toronto to allow people to learn more about its programs.

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Paul Garrity, Principal of Auerbach·Pollock·Friedlander, was named Sound Designer of the Year at ETS-LDI 2004. He was recognized for "his work in supporting and enhancing the field of sound design, as well as for his work on Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity theatre that has a unique and adjustable sound environment." Mr. Garriety is the first designer to receive the award for sound system design rather than the sound design of a particular production or show. He has more than 25 years of international consulting experience. He is based in APF's New York office and is a guest lecturer on sound design at the Yale School of Drama.

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When the Prada Epicenter Store opened in Beverly Hills, California, Pathway Connectivity was helping deliver the unique design for the high-concept environment. One key to the design was custom glass privacy panels, with each three-foot by eight-foot pane individually controlled based on input from many sources. Josh Weinberg of Scharff Weinberg noted, "We can change the glass pattern based on music from the store's sound system." Patterns in the glass can also change based on nearby movement, and privacy glass in dressing rooms changes from transparent to opaque. Eighty of Pathway's Glass-Faders were used in the Prada installation.

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It will be a busy spring at Cobalt Studios, where four Pro-Seminars are planned. First in the lineup is an Anti-Freakout Job Market Roundtable in February followed in April by All about Foam, Faux Woodgrain - Interior Grade, and Guns and Sprayers in the Scenic Arts. For more information, visit www.cobaltstudios.net.

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Manufacturer of performance makeup Mehron, Inc. has added colors to both its StarBlend and Paradise Makeup AQ lines. Orange has been added to the StarBlend line, a water-activated highly pigmented pressed powder makeup which can be used dry or wet. New tropical colors have been added to the Paradise Makeup AQ palette, designed for face and body artists to give them a range and versatility with eye-popping colors. To learn more about these and other Mehron products, visit www.mehron.com.

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TOMCAT's Hoist & Rigging Workshop 2005 has been scheduled for February 2 to 5, 2005 in Midland, Texas. Class size is limited so those interested are urged to contact Lisa Jebsen at 432-694-7070. New this year is a two-day Advanced Workshop which will be held February 4 and 5, also in Midland. The Advanced Workshop is for those who have already completed the regular workshop or have extensive experience working with motors and truss in the field.

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Dazian LLC has moved its West Coast office to a larger facility to better serve customers. The new location, at 7210 Case Ave., North Hollywood, has expanded areas for the in-house sewing department, its extensive inventory of rental draperies, and larger warehousing capacity for in-stock inventory of FR fabrics for the entertainment industry. The toll-free telephone number for the West Coast office continues to be 877-432-9426.

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John Coyne and Michael Nishball have been promoted to Principal Consultants at Theatre Projects Consultants. Mr. Coyne, an architect and scenic and costume designer, has been a member of TPC's United States office design department for the past three years. Current projects include Dallas Center for the Performing Arts and Tempe Center for the Arts in Arizona. Mr. Nishball is director of the technical production department in TPC's US office and is a rigging and stage equipment specialist. He has been with the organization since 1995 and has more than 20 years of experience in theatrical rigging system design and installation as well as specialized production techniques.

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High End Systems is now offering three new versions of software-only Catalyst packages. The three are priced for any size application or budget, the company notes, and will allow customer upgrades. Catalyst combines lighting effects with digital media to create visual scenery, and allows the integration of graphics, video, drive output devices such as HES' Digital Lighting products, video screens, and LED arrays. All packages include more than 1,000 media files optimized for lighting applications.

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Sapsis Rigging, Inc., known as a leading provider of safety inspections, has introduced more comprehensive safety programs for the entertainment industry. Fall Arrest and Rescue Plans, OSHA Compliance Audits, Equipment Maintenance Plans, and Certified Structural Reports are a few of the available services. A multi-faceted approach allows SRI to address various venue, company, and individual safety needs, which industry leaders, venue managers, and many others enthusiastically responded to at ETS-LDI in Las Vegas in October. For information on a specific program or service, contact Bill Sapsis at 800-727-7471.

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