Several new books, including the latest addition to USITT’s Monograph Series, The Designs of Jules Fisher are now available online. USITT also is selling Dressed: a Century of Hollywood Costume Design, which won the 2009 USITT Golden Pen Award, and new books by member authors.

Members always receive a discount on books purchased through the website, or by calling 800-938-7488.

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ESTA has introduced the Business Peer Group Advisory Program (BPGAP), an opportunity for members to meet regularly with a small group of peers in the industry with similar business issues, questions, and solutions. The program provides a forum where members can feel comfortable discussing, sharing, and brainstorming to help their businesses and each other in a non-competitive atmosphere. BPGAP is open to individuals from ESTA dealer, manufacturer, production, and professional service members.

For more information on BPGAP and to download the application to participate, visit www.esta.org/BPGAP or contact Lori Rubinstein in the ESTA office at 212-244-1505.

Designers on both sides of the Atlantic supported Behind the Scenes and Light Relief By Design Day, the day the industry came together to celebrate its successes and to give back in thanks. On April 24, designers with shows around the world donated their royalties to support one or both of the two charities dedicated exclusively to helping entertainment technology and design professionals, Behind the Scenes in the United States and Canada, and Light Relief in the United Kingdom. Designers and others not in royalty situations have stepped forward with direct donations.

To find out more and to read about the original idea, go to www.estafoundation.org/bts or www.lightrelief.org.uk.

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The USITT 2009 Costume Symposium, Creating Creatures with Foam and Varaform, will be held August 6 to 8 at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

The 2009 Costume Symposium will create an opportunity for participants to learn about and create reticulated foam and Varaform creatures.

As part of the symposium, led by seasoned professionals, each participant will receive a detailed workbook illustrating step-by-step development processes, basic patterns for creating donkey heads and puppets, and a DVD that details the development processes in action.

These hands-on workshops include sculpting, adapting patterns, and assembling thermoplast and foam creatures. Participants will also explore a variety of approaches to designing creature costumes and show how simple rigging tricks to help creatures “come alive.”

Costs will increase June 1, if the event is not sold out, so those who are interested are urged to register before that deadline.

For more information, or to register, click here.

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