TECHnically Speaking

This week we sat down with our National Office Staff to discuss all things USITT21 Virtually Anywhere! Director of Education & Training, Christine Troscher; Sales Manager, Cody Hann; and Conference Planner Jody Harris gave the inside scoop on sessions, entertainment, education, and our virtual Stage Expo. To register for USITT21, go to usitt.org/registration. TECHnically Speaking is a public servi...

Our newest episode of TECHnically Speaking features North Carolina-based lighting designer Jenni Propst. Jenni has worked as a production manager, head electrician, and event manager for clients ranging from non-profit groups to large corporate events, national tours, and even NASCAR. She has toured domestically and internationally as a head electrician and lighting supervisor with Alonzo King LIN...

Today we have a special episode feature USITT’s community conversations. On Nov. 19 we held another successful Community Conversations webinar, this time presented by Latinx professionals Alejo Vietti, Regina Garcia, Jesse Portillo, and Tanya Orellana. If you’d like to attend a future community conversations webinar, please visit the webinars block under our education and training tab on our websi...

Today we have a special episode featuring USITT’s Community Conversations. On Oct. 30 we held our first community conversation with lighting designers Jim Streeter, Christina Watanabe, Adam Honore, and Hideaki Tsutsui as they discussed their careers, process, and what inspires them. If you weren't able to attend the free webinar, we've got you covered. TECHnically Speaking is a public service of U...

Today we’re on the line with father-and-son duo John and Tyler DeLong of DeLong Rigging Solutions. Tyler and John are both ETCP certified Riggers who have extensive experience working in the live entertainment industry. Their company, DeLong Rigging Solutions, is a product of a great idea, a widespread industry need, and the pandemic. Tyler, like many other individuals in the entertainment industr...

Today we’re on the line with Sandra Goldmark; a designer, teacher, and entrepreneur whose work focuses on circular economy solutions to overconsumption and climate change. She is an Associate Professor of Professional Practice in Theatre and Director of Sustainability and Climate Action at Barnard College, and the author of Fixation: How to Have Stuff without Breaking the Planet. Let’s welcome San...

Today we’re on the line with stage managers, educators, and authors, Narda E. Alcorn and Lisa Porter where we’re discussing their new book, Stage Management Theory as a Guide to Practice: Cultivating a Creative Approach, their recent HowlRound essay, "We Commit to Anti-Racist Stage Management Education," and what we as designers, creators, stage managers, and industry professionals can do to make...

In the Summer 2020 edition of Theatre Design and Technology or TD&T, we explore racism in the theatre in an important piece by Taylor Leigh Lamb. In her article, Lamb interviews noted theatre historian, lighting designer, and USITT's 2020 Wally Russell Professional Mentoring Award recipient Kathy A. Perkins, who states emphatically, "There's no shortage of Black designers." Kathy wrote about Black...

Welcome to Technically Speaking, the official podcast of The United States Institute for Theatre Technology where we discuss the stories and work of our members as well as industry topics and happenings. I’m your host, Jenn, USITT’s Content Specialist and today we’re on the line with Bryan Huneycutt. Bryan Huneycutt has spent over 35 years in the Performing Arts. He is a Co-Founder of the Safety A...

Today we’re on the line with Clint C. Clarke. Clint has worn many professional hats so far in his career – from working in arenas, to the wireless team for Barack Obama’s inauguration, Clint now calls the Most Magical Place on Earth his home as he works as the Audio Designer for Disney Parks Live Entertainment. Clint is responsible for designing, installing and programming audio systems for the Wa...

Today we’re on the line with Long island NY based lighting designer and programmer, Jess Moody. Her passion is for concert lighting, however, she also has extensive experience in lighting for dance and theatre. Jess currently works as the house lighting designer for the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts as well as busking and designing for the Bay Street Theatre, the Till s Center, and Ade...

Today we’re on the line with William Young, the winner of not one but two 2020 YDMT awards The Barbara Matera Award in Costume Making Sponsored by Judy Adamson and The Master Craftsmanship Award Sponsored by Bernhard R. Works. William Young is a costume technician with skills ranging from millinery to tailoring. He earned his undergraduate degree in Plant Sciences from the University of Tennessee...

Today we’re on the line with The 2020 KM Fabrics, Inc. Technical Production Award winner Dashiell Menard. Dashiell is currently a Technical Designer at Showman fabricators in New Jersey where he does Technical design and construction drafting across the spectrum of the entertainment industry. There he works with a team of Technical Designers, Project Managers, and Lead Carpenters to realize theate...

Today we’re on the line with the 2020 Barbizon Lighting Company Jonathan Resnick Lighting Award winner Jasmine Lesane. Jasmine is a Lighting Designer & Director dedicated to realizing visions through innovative design solutions. A recent grad of Carnegie Mellon's School of Drama, Jasmine's experience extends across of all types visual design. Recent Lighting Design credits are School Girls; Or Afr...

Today we’re on the line with 2020 Zelma H. Weisfeld Costume Design & Technology Award winner and costume designer Brooke Nicole Kesler. Brooke is so honored to be the 2020 recipient of USITT's Zelma H. Weisfeld award! She is currently the Costume Assistant at The San Diego Opera, and is looking forward to graduating with her MFA in Design and Technology with an emphasis in Costume Design from San...

Today we’re on the line with 2020 USITT Award for Scene Design Sponsored by Rose Brand winner Afsaneh Aayani. Afsaneh is a Houston-based scenic designer, puppeteer, puppet maker, mask maker, voice actress, and artist with over 15 years of industry experience. She began her artistic journey in Iran where she developed her skills as a puppeteer and puppet maker, performed as a voice actor on televis...

Today we’re on the line with sound designer and winner of the 2020 Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement award, Jeff Sherwood. Jeff is finishing his final semester of the MFA Theatre Sound Design program at Purdue University where he studies under his mentor Richard K. Thomas. He is an emerging theatre artist specializing in sound design, music composition, and audio engineering. He strives to bring o...

Welcome to Technically Speaking, the official podcast of The United States Institute for Theatre Technology where we discuss the stories and work of our members as well as industry topics and happenings. I’m your host, Jenn, USITT’s Content Specialist and today we’re on the line with production designer and this year’s Herbert D. Greggs Award winner in the Honors category Caitlyn Garrity. A produc...

Today we’re on the line with 2020 Rising Star Award winner Joe Klug. The Rising Star Award sponsored by LDI/Live Design is given annually to a young professional at the beginning of their career. Joe is a Freelance Scenic Designer and currently the Assistant Professor of Scenic Design at University of Arizona. According to his artistic statement, His works centers around trying to re-engage with a...

In this episode, Deb Sherrer and I discuss her service on USITT's Board of Directors, advice for those in the live entertainment industry, the process of switching careers, and her most influential mentor to date. For more information on our three spring webinars, please visit https://www.usitt.org/education-training/usitt-webinars . For more information on USITT, please visit usitt.org.

Technically Speaking is the official podcast of The United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Join us as we discuss the stories and work of our members as well as industry topics and happenings. to learn more about USITT, please visit us at usitt.org.

Welcome to TECHnically Speaking, the official podcast of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Here we’ll discuss the stories and work of our members as well as industry topics and happenings. In this episode we're joined by intimacy director Sarah Lozoff. We discuss the importance of intimacy directors in the live entertainment industry as well as some of the most common misconcepti...