USITT is pleased to have OSRAM SYLVANIA as a new Sustaining member of the Institute. Osram, the North American operation of OSRAM GmbH of Germany, is one of the world's leading lighting manufacturers, including lighting products, electronic and magnetic ballasts, and precision materials and components. The well-known maker of quality portable lighting devices also will exhibit at Stage Expo in 2008.

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Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas, the new enterprise headed by Don Childs in Las Vegas, Nevada has upgraded its membership to the Sustaining level. The Stagecraft Institute is a private training company providing state-of-the-art training for live entertainment production personnel. It uses an extensive network of industry professionals to develop targeted training to meet specific industry needs. Stagecraft Institute recently completed its first multi-week course offering information on a wide range of stagecraft skills.

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In May, Mana, Mexico's most successful rock band, launched a year-long world tour with shows planned in over 70 cities in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. The tour's first shows were in California at the San Diego Sports Arena and the Universal (Gibson) Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. The United States leg of the tour will culminate at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Pro Color, from Guadalajara, is the production contractor for the tour providing sound, lighting, and rigging. Pro Color is a sound and lighting rental company that supports Mana and other touring acts including Alejandro Fernandez and Alejandro Sanz. Pro Color gets its equipment from TMB.

Included in the equipment specified for the tour are four ProPower RPD power distribution racks, over 400 feet of ProSpan truss, and over 20,000 ft. of ProPlex data and ProCable power cables. For more information about TMB Professional Products, visit its website at www.tmb.com.

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Six Flags recently approached TOMCAT USA to provide a fixed grid system to be permanently installed at its Music Mill Amphitheatre in Six Flags over Texas. The project was completed just in time for the busy summer season and is now installed in its new home: just in front of the stage. This extra equipment is used in the Coobrila show by Cirque Dreams, Inc. which runs June 16 through August 19 as part of the Late Nights Six Flags series.

Although the entire system is made of medium- and heavy-duty trusses, the equipment is not typical. To achieve the desired look, no guide cables were used to secure the system. Tomcat used eight 34-foot, medium duty spigoted towers with diagonals on all four faces of the truss.

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Auerbach Pollock Friedlander collaborated with the design team of SMWM Architects on the recently opened San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The firm provided theatre consulting and sound, video, and communications consulting for the new facilities centrally located in the San Francisco Civic Center arts district.

Auerbach Pollock Friedlander's work included participating in the initial consideration of expanding the Ortega Street Campus progressing to the exploration of several adaptive-reuse venues and then a due diligence study for the War Memorial Veteran's Building and the International House. This work ultimately led to the realization of the new Oak Street home for the Conservatory.

The firm's work included planning the performance spaces and designing seating and theatrical performance systems, such as theatrical lighting, sound, stage lifts, variable acoustics elements, and orchestra riser systems for the 445-seat Concert Hall, the 135-seat Recital Hall, and the 100-seat Osher Salon. Firm members also worked on all sound video and performance communications systems for the performance spaces, studios, classrooms, and recording studio.

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After a successful eight months with Stage Technologies, Gerry Jeatt was appointed Operations Manager. Mr. Jeatt joined the company in October 2006 primarily to oversee large United Kingdom and international projects. His responsibilities have since developed and, following the company's further recent expansion, he has become increasingly involved in the manufacturing side of the business. His new position as operations manager will ensure the overall smooth running of production processes, including custom and product solutions, for all of Stage Technologies' worldwide projects.

Robert Hopkins also recently joined Stage Technologies. Mr. Hopkins will work on permanent installation projects as a System Integration Engineer. He has a strong knowledge of electromechanical automated systems and motion control from working in the theatre and entertainment industry for nearly 12 years. A graduate of Brunel University, Mr. Hopkins joined a specialist scenery design company and then worked with sports broadcasting and live entertainment industries.

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