There is still time to register for the Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology's Rendez-Vous, Canada's unique annual entertainment conference held this year from August 16 to 19 at the Roundhouse Centre in Vancouver, BC. Full Conference registration includes over 30 professional development sessions, Education Forum, the Annual General Meeting, a Keynote and Awards Banquet, numerous networking opportunities and, of course, CITT/ICTS's zany social events scheduled during the four-day weekend.

For conference updates, visit our website at http://www.citt.org/conf.php. To download the detailed schedule in PDF format, click here.

CITT/ICTS will also host the OISTAT Education Commission meeting in conjunction with Rendez-vous. Over a dozen international delegates from Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Germany, New Zealand, Serbia, Sweden and the United States will participate as guest panelists at Education Forum and will offer an international view on theatre design and technology.

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Live Nation and Global Spectrum signed collective bargaining agreements with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) which phase in a requirement for ETCP certified technicians in a variety of venues operated by the two companies.

The new agreements call for IATSE to provide the venues with an ETCP certified rigger at any rigging call and an ETCP certified head electrician. Most contracts call for a one- to three-year phase-in. Some of the first venues to implement the agreements are Live Nation theatres in Baltimore, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia.

Live Nation and IATSE have been strong supporters of the Entertainment Technician Certification Program since the beginning. Both organizations hold seats on the ETCP Council and have been actively involved in developing the program. Both organizations also are major financial contributors to ETCP.

The existing agreements are expected to serve as models for future negotiations between the two employers and individual Locals regarding the requirements for ETCP certified technicians. Many IATSE Locals around the country have actively encouraged members to become ETCP Certified.

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All the available space in the 2007 Costume Symposium in Orlando, Florida has been filled. To assist those who might still like to attend if space becomes available, a wait list has been created for Costuming in the Entertainment Industry, August 8 to 10. To be placed on the wait list, contact Monica Merritt at monica@office.usitt.org.

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All three Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) examinations will be given as paper and pencil exams at the LDI 2007 show in Orlando, Florida. The entertainment electrician exam will be held Friday, November 16; the arena rigging exam the morning of Saturday, November 17; and the theatre rigging exam that afternoon. Candidates who wish to take multiple exams will receive a discount for the second exam. Interested applicants must submit their application, along with supporting materials and fee, postmarked no later than October 1.

Candidate information, including eligibility requirements and applications, is available on the ETCP website. Those who you would like the information mailed can contact Meredith Moseley-Bennett, ETCP certification coordinator, at 212-244-1505 or certification@esta.org.

Rigging examinations are given daily at over 190 computer-based testing centers across the U.S. and Canada. For a list of centers in your area,visit the testing company's website. After an application has been received and accepted, information will be sent on how to schedule an examination at a site, date, and time that is most convenient.

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The Live Design Honors, recognizing The Design Aesthetic of Hal Prince, on May 15 at the Kimmel Center at New York University benefited Behind the Scenes. It was the second time for the Live Design Honors, in which the magazine pays tribute to a group of outstanding individuals and the collaborative spirit of the designers who create memorable and innovative productions.

A raffle and silent auction were held during a cocktail reception prior to the evening's panel. Auction items included a copy of The Designs of Tharon Musser signed by all living "Musser University Alumni" participants. The auction raised almost $7,500.

The raffle drawing at the end of the evening was conducted by Mr. Prince.

The Mount Vernon High School Chapter of USITT held its first Short Reach Short Riders Tricycle Race on May 12. Thirty-eight students and friends rode in events ranging from sprints and relays to The Enduro. The participants had a great time while raising $2,000 for Behind the Scenes. Also attending the event were Long Reach Long Riders Moe and Christine Conn and Greg Williams.

Contributors to the ride were Apollo Design Technology, Scott Church (Selecon), J.R. Clancy, MVHS Chapter of FFA, Barbara E.R. Lucas (USITT), Reid Neslage (H & H Specialties), Lori Rubinstein and John McGraw, Bill Sapsis, Vincent Lighting Systems, and Rich Wolpert (Union Connector). For more information about Behind the Scenes, visit www.estafoundation.org/bts.htm

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