Schuler Shook announced the addition of three new theatre consultants to the firm. Harold "Chip" Ulich joins Schuler Shook's Dallas office. Mr. Ulich hails from the Phoenix area where he worked in lighting systems design and sales. Prior to that, he was director of operations at Herberger Theater Center and special projects director for Scottsdale Cultural Council. Mr. Ulich is working on the new Charlotte County (Florida) Event Center, a new showroom at Paramount Las Vegas, and on Gaylord Hall at the University of Oklahoma.

Christopher Sprague joins the firm's Chicago office, moving from his position as assistant technical director for Houston Grand Opera. His involvement with both productions and operations at Houston Grand Opera will enhance his work as a theatre consultant.

Paul Whitaker joins the firm's Minneapolis office with experience in architectural lighting design, theatre planning, and theatre lighting design. He was a theatre planner for Schuler Shook from 1997 to 1999. Since then, Mr. Whitaker received his MFA from Yale School of Drama in design. His theatrical lighting design credits include work for the Public Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, and The Long Wharf Theater.

"We are very fortunate to have three outstanding individuals join our team. We look forward to their contributions in the planning and equipping of theatre facilities," said Schuler Shook partner Robert Shook, ASTC.

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As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, Vari-Lite took PLASA attendees on a walk down memory lane. On display in the PLASA café was a complete historical retrospective of the Vari-Lite product line from the prototype VL0 to the VL2416. The newest additions to the Vari-Lite range, including the VL500 80V automated luminaire, were at the PRG Europe stand next to this extraordinary retrospective. All fixtures, excluding the VL0, were operational allowing show patrons to see the VL1 automated luminaire in action, the famed luminaire that began the automated lighting revolution back in 1981. Also on hand during portions of the show were Jim Bornhorst and Rusty Brutsche, two of the Vari-Lite founders, helping Vari-Lite celebrate turning 25 at PLASA.

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Entertainment Technology announces the release of software version 3.1 for the complete line of Marquee Lighting Control Consoles. Software version 3.1 is now available for download through www.etdimming.com.

Designed by Horizon Control, Marquee software version 3.1 introduces new moving light and intensity effects, independent attribute timing, redundant tracking backup, a new color picker tool, and astronomical time event control. The new moving light and intensity effects allow operators to select from a pre-existing list of lighting effects or use a list of simple, supplied mathematical equations along with host parameters to create an unlimited array of interesting and unique effects specific for the lighting task.

Independent attribute timing allows programmers to add unlimited cue dynamics to every attribute of every fixture in every cue. Redundant tracking backup allows a second Marquee console, or processor operating the Marquee PC software, to track the main console and automatically take control in the event of a failure.

For a complete list of features for Marquee Software Version 3.1 visit www.horizoncontrol.com.

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Production Resource Group, LLC, a leading supplier of entertainment technology, has named Darren DeVerna president of the company's east coast operations. He will work out of PRG's offices in New York City, Mount Vernon and New Windsor in New York, and North Bergen, New Jersey.

Mr. DeVerna most recently served as PRG's senior vice president of business development. He also managed the company's lighting, audio, and video operations in the northeastern United States and oversaw PRG's support for theatrical productions on Broadway and on tour throughout North America.

He began his career with Four Star Lighting, where he was instrumental in growing into one of the major lighting companies serving the Broadway market. He was president of Four Star when the company merged with PRG in 2001.

"Darren literally grew up in the entertainment industry and his range and depth of experience give him an unparalleled ability to understand a client's needs and come up with the right solution," says Jere Harris, chairman and founder of PRG.

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City Theatrical launched a new line of CE compliant products at PLASA. For the first time, CTI's most popular products will be fully compliant with the new "Reduction of Hazardous Substances" regulations, as well as have CE certification.

Products that already had CE compliance and are now RoHS compliant include AutoYoke, EFX Plus2, and all products in the WDS Wireless Data System family.

Products gaining CE with full RoHS compliance include four products in the PDS family of power/data supplies for Color Kinetics products: PDS-750 TR; PDS-375 TR; PDS-375 TRB; and PDS-50, as well as the City Theatrical Projector Dowser and DMX Iris.

CTI's President, Gary Fails commented, "The entire world is increasingly aware of the hazards of electronic waste, particularly leaded solder. Since our products are used all over the world in live entertainment, compliance with RoHS is important to us. Additionally, our new CE products strengthen our product lines and give us greater market exposure in the European Union countries."

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