We welcome Cooper Control as a new Sustaining member of the organization. Cooper Control offers lighting solutions for the entertainment industry including its Zero 88 brand of lighting consoles. Cooper is an exclusive distributor of EDI lighting control systems, and provides products that are high quality, easy to use, and offer the best value for the performance entertainment marketplace. Cooper Control is a new exhibitor at Stage Expo for 2010, and can be found online at www.coopercontrol.com.

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Stagecraft Industries Inc. is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Founded in the 1920s and simply known as the Stagecraft Shop, its humble beginnings included building scenery for vaudeville shows. During the grim Depression years, the Shop merged with a school supply firm and began to provide equipment for educational performance spaces. It continued to grow during the '40s and '50s, providing stage equipment for large performing arts facilities and more school auditoriums than ever before. In 1960, the Shop became Stagecraft Industries, Inc. Thousands of school auditoriums, professional theatres, and churches in the country use Stagecraft's equipment.

Stagecraft believes their most important asset is their employees. This team is comprised of sales consultants, project managers, drafters, metal workers, seamstresses and installers that bring decades of experience to every job. A glimpse inside the 25,000 square foot plant located in Portland, Oregon will reveal anything from motorized pods for TV studios, to wire tension grids, to massive velour curtains for a performing arts center. It has one of the largest stage curtain sewing rooms on the West Coast and recently landed the contract for new curtains at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Stagecraft recently expanded its manufacturing capacity to complete a $1 million project in Doha, Qatar that requires over 100 emergency lighting transfer cabinets.

Stagecraft has regional offices in Oakland, California and Seattle, Washington.

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Serapid, Inc. introduces the Trap Lift, the fastest trap lift known to the market today. Built with Rigid Chain Technology, renowned for its safety and reliability, the trap lift can be used to carry scenery, objects, and actors from areas under the stage up to stage level.

The Trap Lift is quiet enough to be used during performances and comes with special safety features (such as a safety switch mounted to the top platform) to allow people to ride on it. The unit is self-contained and self-guided.

The unit will be on display at Serapid's booth (553) during the USITT Stage Expo March 31 to April 2 at the Kansas City Convention Center.

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Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas (SILV) announced its final schedule for 2010. Courses will include: Rigging June 14 to18; CAD June 21 to 25; Lighting Technology and Scene Painting June 28 to July 2; Pre-visualization July 5 to 9; Moving Lights July 12 to 16; Sound and Make-up July 19 to 23; SFX and Masks July 26 to 30; and Tech Management August 2 to 6.

New this summer are auxiliary classes designed to address topics geared to a more traditional theatrical experience than the high-tech classes from past summers. Scene Painting will be taught by Jenny Knot (Rosco) and Heidi Hoffer (Oklahoma State University). Kristina Hanssen (Sam Houston State University) returns to teach Make-up assisted by SILV Alumna Nora Evans. The Mask class is being developed with the assistance of Mark Jenkins, formerly head of props for the Beatles' LOVE. The sound class will be taught in Cirque du Soleil's new Training Studio.

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Stage Technologies recently launched its all-new, content-rich website for the start of 2010. The site has a sleek look and feel that reflects the trademark technology behind the core design and automation business and the vibrant energy of the entertainment world.

Stagetech.com builds on the products information that was previously available to users, adding more technical information and easily downloadable product images. A cross section of detailed project case studies can be found in the projects area of the site, which illustrates the main market sectors of the company's expertise in stage engineering, power flying, and performer flying. The brand new Showreel and Articles areas allow users to browse videos and published articles of interest.

Stagetech.com was developed using feedback from Stage Technologies staff, clients, and existing site users and continued input is encouraged. Anyone can register to view and download literature in one easy-to-access area. Registered News & Press users can also request additional access to the press gallery, where they can download press releases and images for use in publications. Follow Stage Technologies on Twitter (stagetechworld) and keep an eye on YouTube (StagetechGroup) for new postings.

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TMB announced the expansion of its North American Sales Group with the addition of Bryan Reiss. Mr. Reiss has over 15 years' experience. His role will be primarily in customer development; enhancing customer relations and service, increasing awareness of TMB's innovative products and value-added services, and strengthening and expanding TMB's Northeast customer base.

A graduate of Adelphi University where he earned a BFA in theatre design, the New Jersey native began his working career as technical director with the touring production of Peter Pan. After 10 years in executive sales at Bash Theatrical and then PRG, he joins TMB after stints in sales management at BML Blackbird Theatrical Services and Altman Lighting.

With locations in Los Angeles, London, New York, Toronto, and Beijing, TMB's Sales Group has a regional and global outreach. Find out more about TMB and its many products and services at www.tmb.com.

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It's a new year and that means there are new releases in TOMCAT USA, Inc.'s ongoing educational "Did U Know" podcast video series, and extension of TOMCAT U.

The current topics are "How to Tie a Figure of 8 Knot" and "How to Properly Inspect Your Truss". Will Todd, product support manager, leads both sessions. Stop by the website to view the latest video podcasts and download them all.

The videos can be viewed and downloaded here. They can also be viewed on TOMCAT's Facebook page – and on TOMCAT's YouTube channel.

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