Representatives from USITT’s Commissions were in Syracuse for two days of meetings in late July. They had the opportunity to tour the design, test, and manufacturing facilities at J.R. Clancy, Inc. and spend a part of their morning at the USITT National Office.

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Sandy Bonds, VP for International Activities and soccer fan, shared this report and photos from her World Cup experience. It seems costume designers are always looking for inspiration.

“Sports fans around the world like to flaunt their team spirit by wearing team colors in their clothing and face painting. The World Cup, recently held in South Africa, drew out the creativity of scores of fans. The Netherlands fans, whose team, the Orange, placed second in the competition, were easily the most dedicated and inventive in their costumes. Surpassing the typical scarves, big hats, and body makeup, scores of Orange supporters appeared in elaborately conceived and executed outfits. Of particular interest were those combining the orange color of the Dutch team with the local theme of South Africa, such as the ostriches (and tribal warriors) shown here.”

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University of Southern California School of Theatre Dean Madeline Puzo was honored recently as part of the Playwright’s Arena “Hot Night in the City” annual benefit. The Los Angeles group recognized Ms. Puzo for her outstanding contribution to the Los Angeles theatre community. She has been dean of the School of Theatre since 2002, and the school has added three new graduate degrees, revised and expanded its undergraduate programs, and doubled its faculty during that time.

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Head of the USITT Centre for OISTAT Michael Ramsaur, who is also VP and Immediate Past President of OISTAT, received an Outstanding Contribution Award from the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, China for his outstanding contribution to theatre and film professional training and education in China and the world. Michael also won a San Francisco Drama Critics Circle award for this lighting design for Crazy for You produced by Broadway by the Bay.

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Congratulations to Claudia Longo and all the folks at Kryolan Professional Makeup because the company has been named the Official Cosmetics of Miss Universe 2010. The contest is set to culminate in late August at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, with Bret Michaels and Natalie Morales as co-hosts.

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The program for the 2010 season of Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, New York showcases construction drawings and elevations for sets as spot graphics and theme art, an unusual way to show off some of the behind the scenes work needed to create its productions. And, for some audience members, it provides an opportunity to speculate which drawings were used for which realized pieces. The drawings are by Donald Eastman, set designer for the 2010 festival season, who requested they not be credited, but we enjoyed viewing his work.

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Tom and Donna Ruzika of Silverado, California seem to be developing a tradition of spending part of their summer designing lights at the Hollywood Bowl. This year, the production was Rent with Meridith Greenberg as production stage manager. They all worked with Director Neil Patrick Harris and an outstanding cast to make magic at the gigantic venue. Donna also spent part of the summer at the Utah Shakespearian Festival. We’re hoping for a more complete report of their adventures for a future issue of Sightlines.

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The University of Washington's newly renovated Playhouse Theatre recently named the stage after one of USITT's Past Presidents. The Sarah Nash Gates Stage recognizes USITT’s Past President for her 15 years of service as Executive Director of the School of Drama along with her leadership of the playhouse renovation effort.

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