The Midwest Regional Section's next 2007-08 program will be Saturday, February 16. This day will include two events: the morning begins with an in-depth discussion of how moving lights can artistically be integrated into a standard theatrical production; in the afternoon, there will be a tour of the newly renovated U-505 German WWII submarine exhibit at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. Marty Lazarus, president of Chicago Spotlight and a member of the USITT-Midwest Board of Directors, is hosting both events. The morning will begin at 10 a.m. at Chicago Spotlight's headquarters, with a two-hour break for lunch and travel time to the Museum for the 2 p.m. tour.

The morning session will feature Tom Celner, one of the industry's top-ranked moving light programmers, and lighting designer Paul Miller. Both men have extensive Broadway credits as well as a great deal of experience in other venues. While some may feel moving lights still fit into the image of "flash and trash" concert lighting, more and more of the industry is seeing these "effects" units incorporated into mainstream theatre. Just how will be the subject of the morning's discussion and Q&A session.

The U-505 exhibit tour will be hosted by Ed McDonald, MSI's director of exhibit projects and maintenance. While attendees will have to pay the $12 charge for parking in the Institute's underground parking garage, Mr. McDonald has arranged for attending members to be comped the museum's admission fee. That means free admission and a walk-and-talk session with the two men most qualified to speak about this world renowned exhibit that has long been a centerpiece of the MSI's offerings. Attendees are asked to gather at the Zephyr railroad exhibit immediately off the lower entrance floor of the parking lot (this is the museum's main entrance).

For more information, contact Dennis Dorn, vice-chair for programming at dldorn@wisc.edu or 608-772-1006, or Marty Lazarus at marty@ChicagoSpotlight.com or 312-455-1171; or visit the Section website at www.usittmidwest.org.

In other Midwest Section news, the November 17 tour of two of Indiana University's major performing facilities was well attended. Co-hosts Bob Bovard, IU's Department of Theatre & Drama technical director, and Paul Brunner, technical director for the School of Music's world-renowned opera facility, led the activities that included discussions with leading opera designer Robert O'Hearn, and music center staff members Tim Stebbins from the MAC paint shop (Opera Painting, Texture Techniques) and stage manager David Grindle (Stage Managing Musicals and Operas).

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Sylvia Hillyard Pannell, USITT President, will visit the New England Regional Section and the Region I Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) in Fitchburg/Leominster, Massachusetts January 30 to February 2. There will be a free reception for all USITT members and those interested in joining on 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, February 1 at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Lemonister. Free food is provided compliments of Ed Hyatt and the Boston Illumination Group, and there will be lots of great networking opportunities. Come to see old friends or to bring fresh ideas that will be heard by the President of USITT and other regional officers. Registration for the festival is not required to attend this meeting. Stay tuned to the Section's listserve for more details.

Those wishing to register for KCACTF and partake of the many other opportunities available at the festival, may log on to www.kcactf1.org for information and registration forms.

The Regional Entertainment, Production, and Administration Job Expo (REPA 08) will be held at 88 Tremont Street, Boston on Saturday, March 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone is urged to be prepared with portfolios and resumes. Each year 30 to 40 employers from across the region gather to interview applicants for full- and part-time positions, internships, and other opportunities. Kick off a design, tech, or administrative career or network to enhance an already thriving career by joining us. There is no fee for applicants.

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With 2007 over, USITT Chesapeake Regional Section thanks its vendors, manufacturers, and supporters for all the incredible support offered over the course of the year. From booths at the Expo, to swag gifts, to workshops, their dedication to the members of the Section makes this chapter of USITT incredibly strong.

2008 promises exceptional growth and an establishment of a true leader in the Entertainment Technology fields in the Mid Atlantic Region. To those ends, Section leadership is using this chance to reach out to its vender and the manufacturing community.

USITT Chesapeake is on the precipice of an exciting new adventure into the electronic age. Since 2001, the chapter has maintained a fairly static presence on the web, providing contact information and links to local theatre, arts organizations, area vendors, and manufacturers.

Dedicated work by Gregg Hillmar allowed the Section to be among the first to offer the ability to complete online renewal of membership, make donations, and register for upcoming events. In early 2006, Mr. Hillmar took a much more interactive website live but problems with hacking forced reposting the static website.

Chesapeake Section leadership approached WSI to look at designing, hosting, protecting, and maintaining a new gateway portal to technical theatre and entertainment technology for members and future members. The new site will be a place for all members (now over 700 past and present) to be informed of the latest products, events, training, and opportunities available from New York to Virginia.

In addition to job and resume postings, bulletin boards for questions, past publication archives, and an online store, this is the place members will go to find out about local venders and product manufacturers.

Several thousand dollars has already been raised, however an additional $7,500 is needed to get the site running and pay for the first year's hosting. A variety of options are available to companies to make a tax deductible donation or sponsorship. If you wish to be a part of this exciting new venture, just send an e-mail to Kacey Fisher at Kacey@fishertheatrical.com.

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