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New Sustaining Member

We welcome Harkness Screens (USA) Ltd. as a new Sustaining member of USITT. The company, based in the United Kingdom, has been manufacturing screens for more than 80 years and today has factories in the United Kingdom, United States, and France. It recently opened a factory and sales office in Beijing, China. Harkness says it is the world's leader in manufacturing and supplying screens for cinema, film production, special effects, 3D, events, and audio-visual uses. To learn more, visit www.harkness-screens.com.

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Historic Strand Theater Renovated

The rigging system of the Strand Theater in Lakewood, New Jersey was recently renovated by RDM Rigging of Pine Beach, New Jersey. Opened in 1922, the Strand Theater remains a popular center for plays, musicals, and touring productions. As part of the rigging renovation, all the on-stage circuitry and associated support structures were replaced. Equipment was supplied by TMB.

Funding for the renovation was provided by Lakewood Development Corporation, the theatre’s owners. Information about the Strand Theater can be accessed at www.strand.org. Learn more about the many products and services from TMB at www.tmb.com.

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Introduces New Fall Protection Line

Sapsis Rigging, Inc. announces The SRI ProPlus Fall Protection System, a new line of fall protection equipment designed for technicians working at height in the entertainment industry.

The entire ProPlus line meets the new ANSI Z359.1-2007 standards. In addition, all ProPlus harnesses come with a sub-pelvic strap which helps reduce the stress caused by orthostatic intolerance (suspension or harness trauma).

The SRI ProPlus Fall Protection System line was shown for the first time at the 2009 Stage Expo in Cincinnati. The entire ProPlus Fall Protection System line is available from the online catalog www.sapsis-rigging.com. For more information please contact sales@sapsis-rigging.com.

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TOMCAT Adds Facebook Page

In addition to its home on the web at www.tomcatglobal.com, TOMCAT USA has a new page on Facebook.

Those who visit the page will find photos of TOMCAT products, workshops, and projects. In addition, anyone with an account can stop by and become a fan of the staging and lighting equipment company. Just search for TOMCAT USA on Facebook or use this direct link.

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TPC Aides Metropolitan Lighting

Theatre Projects Consultants (TPC) was approached by the architectural firm of Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates to help renovate the American Wing Courtyard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMA). As part of the renovation, they were looking for a better way to access the exhibit lighting for routine maintenance and focusing.

Approximately 60 feet above the exhibit floor, the existing lighting position spanned over 100 feet in length and was situated along the edge of a third story gallery. By applying a little entertainment technology to the museum environment, TPC provided a well-designed and efficient solution.

Together, the lighting components and self-climbing trusses provide an integrated system that gives the MMA the easy access and focusing capabilities they desired.

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Active Time for Schuler Shook

Schuler Shook Senior Consultant Joshua Grossman, ASTC, recently presented an educational tour of the Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago for the membership of USITT’s Midwest Regional Section. Hosted by Joel Hobson, Lookingglass technical director, the tour focused on the technical systems and flexible layout of one of Chicago’s premier theatre companies. The tour was organized by Shane Kelly, head of technical theatre for the Theatre School at DePaul University. Mr. Grossman served as Schuler Shook’s project manager for the award-winning adaptive reuse that created Lookingglass Theatre’s new home in 2001.

Mr. Grossman also was elected to the board of directors for the American Society of Theatre Consultants. The organization met to select the five-member board at the end of February. A full member of ASTC since 2005, he is looking forward to serving the membership in his new position.

In other Schuler Shook news, Partner Todd Hensley, ASTC, is teaching Stage Lighting Design at DePaul University’s Theatre School this spring as an adjunct faculty member.

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Online Store Opens

Wybron, Inc. customers can shop for color changers, luminaires, gelstrings, and more anytime day or night with the lighting manufacturer’s new online store.

Launched March 19, the online store sells Wybron’s Coloram IT, CXI IT, and Forerunner color changers; Nexera LX CMY dichroic color-mixing luminaires; gelstrings; and accessories such as power supplies, mounting brackets, and cable. The full line of Wybron products, including such items as the Eclipse mechanical dowser and the Transition fiber optic illuminator, will only be available through the company’s distributors or the company’s internal sales team.

Products online will be sold at full retail price and must be paid for with a credit card. Any Wybron product listed in the online store, as well as Wybron’s complete line of products, will be available through the company’s worldwide dealer network. To find a dealer, visit www.wybron.com/dealers. For more information, call 719- 548-9774, e-mail info@wybron.com, or visit www.wybron.com.

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