TECHnically Speaking

TECHnically Speaking is back from its hiatus with an invaluable conversation with present and future leadership of the IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Social Justice) Committe. Current chair Cary Gillett and incoming chair Lawrence "Larry" Bennett take us through the history and continuing growth of the IDEAS committee, how former members are still "doing the work" in other parts o...

On this week’s episode, we chatted with lighting designer and Barbizon Lighting Company Senior Sales Associate Kearston Dillard-Scott about the USITT25 Lighting Lab presented by the Lighting Design & Technology Commission in collaboration with Barbizon Lighting Company. Get insider knowledge of the lab, learn the positives of taking selling out of learning spaces, and join Kearston and her cre...

This week we chatted with ETCP certified Rigger, Consultant Partnership Manager, and Systems Integrator at Wenger Corporation, Eric Huss. Tune into the episode to get the details on Wenger's reimagined and vastly comprehensive Rigging Guide for Performance Spaces, how venues can go beyond the minimum standards of ADA compliance, and how you can connect with the Wenger team at USITT25 in just a few...

In this episode, we're breaking down the details of the BACKstage Exam with educator, USITT Board Member, and co-creator of the exam, Dana Taylor. Learn about how the exam came to be, how educators and students find mutual benefits within its purpose, and how you too can take part in this Basic and Comprehensive Knowledge Exam for High School Technical Theatre Students! Attend Dana's sessions at U...

We chatted with Executive Director Laura Lee Everett a year and a half after her initial TECHnically Speaking interview to reflect on what she has seen, what she has experienced, what she has accomplished, and what she hopes USITT will accomplish in the coming years. TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, bu...

This week we're joined by scenic and lighting designer and 2024 winner of the USITT Scene Design Award sponsored by Rose Brand, Tianxuan Chen! We chatted with Tianxuan about her design process, using music as inspiration for design, how "inflatable tube men" can add a unique element to the stage, and more! Click here to learn more about Tianxuan and the USITT Scene Design Award sponsored by Rose B...

On this week's episode, we chat with stage manager and educator Nancy Uffner, our 2024 Distinguished Achievement Award (DAA) winner for her work in Education. Join us as we ask Nancy about her career highlights, her approach to stage management, what advice she has for the next generation, and more! Click here to listen to the episode or search "TECHnically Speaking" wherever you get your podcasts...

This week we're joined by stage manager and 2024 winner of the USITT Stage Management Award sponsored by Clear-Com Communications Systems, Annie Hennen! We chatted with Annie about their stage management style, their time at the Santa Fe Opera, a holy grail backstage product they always have on them, and more! Click here to learn more about Annie and the USITT Stage Management Award sponsored by C...

This week we're joined by licensed cosmetologist, makeup artist, wig designer, and 2024 winner of the USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Professional Make-Up, Tiara Jones! We chatted with Tiara about her work in fashion, makeup, and wig design, her holy grail makeup product, the challenges she's faced as a young professional, her creative process, and more! Click here to learn more abo...

On this week's episode, we spoke with costume designer, educator, and 2024 Herbert D. Greggs Honor Award winner, Anastasia Goodwin about her winning article, "The Costume History Classroom as Laboratory" which appeared in the Fall 2022 issue of our journal  Theatre Design & Technology  ( TD&T ). We chatted with Anastasia about her passion for education, the innovative teaching methods cove...

Have you ever wondered how to get more out of your USITT Membership? Are you curious about opportunities like committee involvement and Board fellowship? Join us for this week's episode as we chat with sound designer, past Sherry Wagner-Henry Board Fellow, committee member, and donor Kyle. W. Jensen. Click here to learn more about Kyle and the Sherry Wagner-Henry Board Fellowship. Click here to le...

On this week's episode, we sat down with our incoming Sherry Wagner-Henry Board Fellow and scenic artist, Dani Ranisate. We chatted about her process of being selected for the fellowship, her work on forming a USITT Student Chapter, the connections she's made with our Board of Directors, and more! Help us welcome Dani to the Board! Click here  to learn more about Dani and the Sherry Wagner-Henry B...

On this week's episode, we sat down with special guest Xotchil Musser — our 2024 Barbizon Lighting Company Jonathan Resnick Lighting Design Award winner, to talk about their design process, their study of the connection between lighting and mental health, advocacy for anti-racist theatre, and more. Click here  to learn more about Xotchil Musser and the Barbizon Lighting Company Jonathan Resnick Li...

On this week's episode, we chat with Lighting Designer Dawn Chiang, our 2024 Distinguished Achievement Award (DAA) winner for her work in Lighting Design and Technology.  Join us as we ask Dawn about her creative process, impactful industry relationships, her work on the Great White Way, and more! To learn more about Dawn and the DAA for Lighting Design & Technology, click here . TECHnically S...

*Trigger warning: This episode touches on the topics of mental health, suicide, substance abuse, bullying, and therapy. Please listen with caution. Over the past month, we partnered with the Behind the Scenes charity to share their resources on Mental Health First Aid, suicide prevention, bystander intervention, and more for Mental Health Awareness Month. On this week's episode, we're joined by Be...

On this week's episode, we're joined by theatrical and game audio designer and our 2024 Rising Star Award winner, William Lowe.  Join us as we chat about the storytelling of sound, how keeping up with industry trends can be a full-time job, and working in the vast world of game audio design. To learn more about William and the Rising Star Award sponsored by LDI/ Live Design, click here . TECHnical...

On this week's episode, We sat down with special guest Andrew Riedemann— our 2024 Bernhard R. Works, Frederick A. Buerki Scenic Technology Award winner, to talk about the live entertainment industry, life in technical production, working overseas, and more! Click here to learn more about Andrew Riedemann and the Bernhard R. Works, Frederick A. Buerki Scenic Technology Award . TECHnically Speaking...

On this week's episode, we sat down with special guest Aholibama Castañeda González — our 2024 KM Fabrics, Inc. Technical Production Award winner, to talk about the live entertainment industry, technical production in the festival world, what the award means to them, and what’s next in their career! Click here to learn more about Aholibama Castañeda González and the KM Fabrics, Inc. Technical Prod...

TECHnically Speaking is back with a brand new episode featuring 2024 Howard Vincent Kurtz Student Engagement Grant winner and interdisciplinary artist, Marisa Lawrence! In this episode we chat with Marisa about her research on integrative Costume Technology applications beyond the stage and screen, how she keeps up with the ever-evolving tech world, her work in stitching positions, game design, an...

This week we're joined by USITT23 Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award winner and sound designer, Huhao Yang. From designing in China during his undergraduate studies to his large-scale work with Toyota and Wyndham, we covered it all in this week’s episode! Click here to learn more about Huhao Yang and the Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award . All episodes of our USITT23 series were recorde...

This week we're joined by sound designer and 2023 Distinguished Achievement Award (DAA) for Sound Design & Technology winner, David Budries. We chatted about about his illustrious career in sound that he assures us is NOT over — even now during his retirement, his passion for the industry, where he gathers design inspiration, and how he paved his own path through personal mentorship. All episo...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by visual artist and 2023 USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Professional Make-Up winner, Ying-Syuan Zeng. Hear us chat about her work in many facets of the industry including wigs, makeup, and scenic design, her creative process, favorite show to work on, and more! Click here to learn more about Ying-Syuan Zeng and the USITT Makeup Design Award spo...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by costume designer and 2023 Zelma H. Weisfeld Costume Design & Technology Award winner, M.J. Hromek. Click below to learn about M.J’s creative process, her best advice for those new to the industry, and what this award win has meant to her. Click here to learn more about M.J. and the Zelma H. Weisfeld Costume Design & Technology Award . All episodes of...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by designer, educator, and costume commissioner Howard Vincent Kurtz to discuss the creation of Student Engagement Grants. These new grants encourage and support emerging theatre artists, and are funded by Kurtz each year to support our student members. Student Engagement Grants nominations close Nov. 9! Click here to learn more about Student Engagement Grants...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by stage manager and 2023 YDMT winner of the USITT Stage Management Award sponsored by Clear-Com, Kelsea Sibold. We chatted with Kelsea about her favorite events to stage manage, lessons learned from working with different teams, her best stage management advice, and more! Click here to learn more about Kelsea and the USITT Stage Management Award sponsored by C...