One of the newest projects of the Costume Design & Technology Commission, the Costume Plot Database, needs your input.

The database is a searchable collection of the costuming needs and pitfalls for a variety of productions. Searches can be made by playwright, title, genre, period, number of costumes, and number of actors. The list is regularly updated, and anyone may submit productions to the database. The database will be more useful if all Costume Design & Technology members commit to submitting a play not already listed in the database. Submissions can be made electronically through the website or by hardcopy on a downloadable form found on the website. Visit the website today and submit recent (or not so recent) productions at www.costumeplotdatabase.com.

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During July, USITT members should receive e-mails or letters showing the information which is on file to be used for the 2007 Membership Directory & Resource Guide. Members are asked to check e-mail and mailboxes for this important communication and provide any changes to the USITT office no later than August 1, 2006.

Remember: members must be current as of August 1, 2006 to be included in the 2007 Directory. Providing corrected information ensures that the Directory remains a useful tool for keeping members connected -- an important goal of the Institute.

Members who have moved recently, changed e-mail addresses, or generally lost touch can also submit current information using the change of address form located here.

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July 1, 2006 is the application deadline for the first ETCP (Entertainment Technician Certification Program) Entertainment Electrician examination. Those who pass these rigorous tests will become ETCP Certified.

Examinations (including ETCP rigging exams) will be held in October 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada, in conjunction with LDI. The electrical certifications are designed for highly experienced electricians (including leads, supervisors, and managers of entertainment electrical work). The rigging certifications are designed for highly experienced riggers (rigging supervisors, high steel riggers, fly-persons, etc).

Candidate information, including eligibility requirements and applications, is available on the ETCP website, or by contacting Katie Geraghty, ETCP Certification Director, at 212-244-1505 or kgeraghty@esta.org.

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BSR E.19, Recommended Practice for the use of Class A Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) intended for personnel protection in the entertainment industry, is available for public review. The draft standard gives advice on where, when, and how to use GFCIs rated for 100 A and less in the entertainment industry. These devices are used for personnel protection in entertainment applications encompassing places of assembly, the production of film, video and broadcast, theatrical productions, carnivals, circuses, fairs, and similar events in North America. The official ANSI 45-day public review period started on May 26 with the draft standard available here. The public review runs through July 10.

BSR E1.19 is a project of the Electrical Power Working Group, which is seeking voting members in the interest categories of Dealer/Rental Company and User. Parties that sell or rent power distribution equipment or use this equipment, and are willing to attend meetings regularly to work on standards related to the use of electrical power distribution products, are invited to join the working group.

For more information, contact Karl G. Ruling, ESTA, 875 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1005, New York, NY 10001; 1-212-244-1505; FaX 1-212-244-1502; e-mail standards@esta.org

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The Board of Directors of The ESTA Foundation has awarded the first Behind the Scenes grant to Christian Choi, an 18-year industry veteran lighting director and moving light programmer whose career was derailed by a back injury sustained on the job and two difficult surgeries. Mr. Choi has been out of work for almost two years.

Mr. Choi wrote, "I filled in the necessary paperwork and within a week I heard back from the Foundation that I had been awarded a grant to help me literally get on my feet and to continue to keep a roof over our heads. We were in shock; then the relief set in."

After reviewing his application, the Application for Assistance Review Committee realized his situation was dire and needed to be addressed immediately. The committee requested the Foundation's Board meet in emergency session to review its recommendation.

Behind the Scenes is an initiative of the ESTA Foundation to provide industry members with financial support when they are seriously ill or injured. For more information about Behind the Scenes or applying for a grant, visit www.estafoundation.org/bts.htm.

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