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Conference & Stage Expo
For the Record
Exhibit Stage Lifts at PLASA 2009

Serapid, Inc. showcased its award-winning products at PLASA 2009 in London, England September 13 to 16 at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre.

The LinkLift and horizontal motion systems provide simple solutions to many of the common challenges associated with stage engineering. At the heart of all SERAPID products is the Rigid Chain - a chain capable of pushing, pulling, and lifting with the strength of a steel column. The LinkLift was recently seen during the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremonies in Beijing.

Serapid’s horizontal motion systems feature high transfer speeds and extremely low noise levels. More information can be found at Serapid’s website.

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Kind of Blue

There are churches, there are megachurches, and then there are megachurches.

Houston’s Lakewood, the country’s largest church and the home of Joel Osteen, falls firmly in the latter category. With a weekly attendance of approximately 43,000 people, it makes its home in the former Compaq Center, previously home to the Houston Rockets.

Wybron, Inc. Nexeras are used to light the 16,000-plus seat arena. Lighting the space is a challenge since it must provide worshippers with an intimate experience and still allow the services to be recorded for broadcast.

Since 1979, Wybron, Inc. has been an industry leader in innovative lighting products that have transformed the entertainment, church, and architectural landscapes.

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Institute Wraps Up Third Session

From a number of perspectives, the third annual session of the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas was by far its most successful. There were participants from seven countries and 15 states. The ages of participants ranged from 16 to 61. Vocations varied from a high school student to working professionals and included university and high school teachers, tech directors, fire twirlers, and iron workers. The students included the largest diversity scholarship class yet.

Faculty for the sessions included Sonny Sonnenfeld and Penn & Teller’s Director of Covert Operations Nathan Santucci. Many states were represented as well as Canada, Holland, Japan and England.

On hand were Luc LaFortune, Don Holder, Valy Tremblay, Brian Gale, Joe McGeough and the staff at Flying by Foy; Jason Badger, Matt McAdams, Andrew and Pete Rogers with Silver States Wire Rope and Rigging, Yves Aucoin, Dr. Randall Davidson, Andrew Campbell of Cold Blue, Graham Campbell, Nol van Genuchten, Matt Dillingham and the staff at Advanced Entertainment Services, Steve Emerson, Linda Leonard, Leonard Miller with Vari-Lite, Peter Nordyke, William Burns, Kris Hanssen, Louis Bradfield, Jason Duke, Nicholas Champion and Bobby Harrell of Strand Lighting, Deanna Fitzgerald, Randy Johnson and Allen Lee from Bliss Light, Eric Mongerson, Cory Walker with Morpheus Lighting, Al Siniscal and Tony Alamia from A-1 Entertainment, Barbara Brennan PRG - Las Vegas, and David Hilton of ETC.

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Offer Fall, Winter Seminars

Cobalt Studios will offer several specialty pro-seminars this fall and early winter. Taught by Cobalt and guest artists/instructors (and industry legends), these three- to five-day seminars are great professional development opportunities for scenic artists and instructors alike.

Among the offerings are:

  • Foliage Painting I: Photo-real Foliage Painting Techniques; October 6 to 9; Instructor: Rachel Keebler.
  • Sign Painting For Film And Theatre; November 9 through 13; Instructor: Theresa Dringenburg.
  • Perspective For The Scenic Artist; (class is filled) November 30 through December 3; Instructor: Diane Fargo.
  • Interior Marble, December 7 to 11; Instructor: Rachel Keebler.

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