Please welcome InCord to Sustaining membership in USITT. InCord bills itself as a manufacturer of top-quality safety nets that are made to customers' precise specifications, priced competitively, and delivered exactly when customers want them.

InCord is dedicated to helping organizations prevent life-threatening, costly accidents. Its safety netting and fall protection equipment helps people comply with tough regulations such as OSHA's Fall Protection Standard 1926.502. Visit www.incord.com to learn more about the company and its products.

To Top

USITT is also pleased to welcome the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center as a new Sustaining member. Its mission is to be a place for artistic discovery and entertainment, and its vision is to be a cultural and economic anchor, providing innovative, world-class programming to an ever-expanding audience. Christopher Sheley is technical director for the center, and information about specific programs can be found at www.csfineartscenter.org.

To Top

On August 8, 2008, 8:08 p.m. EST, the moment had finally come: inside the spectacular "Bird's Nest," the floor began to rise, floating platforms lifted smoothly, hundreds of dancers, light and rhythm filled the stadium space - and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing had officially begun. The brilliant opening made a stunning impression before the eyes of the whole world, which in part should be credited to the company SERAPID. With offices in Sterling Heights, Michigan, SERAPID is a supplier of lift and linear-motion systems and well-known in the international entertainment industry.

Sixty-two of SERAPID'S LinkLift 100 lifting columns elevated the stage area in the Beijing stadium, the total surface measuring 11,625 square feet. The gigantic structure might well have set the first world record in the games. The whole of the stage was divided into ten individual platforms, their unusual shapes following the ideas of the renowned United Kingdom-based event-designer Mark Fisher. The Beijing Olympic project further highlights SERAPID's repertoire of great stage installations including the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, California; the Walt-Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles; the Copenhagen Opera in Denmark; and the Brighton Dome Theatre in the United Kingdom.

To Top

At PLASA 2008 the TMB stand housed new brands in TMB's distribution family plus many other new product offerings! Global manufacturers were on site, as were TMB sales staff for hands-on demos. Also featured was the renowned hospitality of TMB and its gracious PLASA neighbours, Bandit Lites.

TMB Architectural presented a comprehensive range of products and solutions. Making their PLASA debut were the new ProTester MOBAL digital cable tester by GDS; the PufferSphere digital spherical display from Pufferfish; ProPower RBD portable rubber power distros; ProMotion motor control by GDS and the ProFan professional high velocity fan with DMX control.

Find out more about TMB and its' products at www.tmb.com.

To Top

Stage Technologies launched new automation products at this year's PLASA in London and will feature them at LDI in Las Vegas.

Don't miss the opportunity to see the innovative Flight, a product designed to bridge the gap between lighting and automation. In addition, the new Acrobat G6 console and a range of new Autour control racks designed specifically for the rental and touring market are featured.

Stage Technologies will exhibit at booth 356 at the LDI Show October 24 to 26 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nevada.

To Top

Have you experienced problems, mishaps, or disasters involving lighting equipment? Wybron wants to hear from you. The lighting company is collecting stories that illustrate Murphy's Law - the old adage that says, "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." It's a truth well-known by those in the live production world.

Go to www.wybron.com/murphyslaw to share stories of lighting equipment difficulties and disasters. Five randomly selected people who fill out the custom survey will each receive a $20 iTunes gift certificate.

Wybron plans to feature the best stories in an article that discusses how lighting feedback systems can warn users about problems before they happen. For more information, visit www.wybron.com or call 719-548-9774.

To Top

Stagecraft Industries, Inc. has announced that Tom Apperson, presently Chief Financial Officer, has been named President of the company. He will manage day-to-day operations and advise CEO and Chairman of the Board, Mark Walter. Mr. Apperson has an extensive background in the construction industry, in financial management, and in technology. He has been with Stagecraft since 1984.

Kevin Shetterly was named a Stagecraft Corporate Officer. Mr. Shetterly is Sales Manager for Rigging and Drapery Products. His 15-year career with Stagecraft has included field installation, project management, estimating, and sales. He has a degree in theatre technology from the University of Illinois.

Stagecraft Industries is a leading provider of stage rigging, stage draperies and theatrical lighting equipment. To learn more visit www.stagecraftindustries.com.

To Top

Cobalt Studios has planned several Specialty Pro Seminars for the next few months.

Donna Wymore will present All About Foam September 29 through October 3. The Art of Scene Painting - Historic Method - Part 2 will be led by Lance Brockman October 6 to 10. From November 10 to 14, Theresa Dringenberg will lead Sign Painting for Film and Theatre. The Anti Freakout Job Market Roundtable is scheduled for February 27 and 28. Landscape & Mural Painting with Bob Moody will be held April 20 to 24.

More details are available at www.cobaltstudios.net

To Top