Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 1976 - 6

previously appear in the U.S.I.T.T. Membership Directory.
Why not write today and become an ACTIVE MEMBER?
Recent U.S.I.T.T. Newsletters have indicated what the
various commissions are doing, who to contact, and what
input is needed. It is unfortunate that the response from
the general membership has been less than overwhelming.
If our organization is to be of value to each member and
"play its role" in the American Theatre effectively, each
member must examine how he or she can serve the
Institute. The completion of a questionnaire, submission
of a project critique, writing of a letter, or sending of a
position paper are often the only feasible ways for certain
members to participate and these are the very type of
active participation that is needed NOW.
This message began with two questions: How does
U.S.I.T.T. serve its membership? It has continued that
thought into a brief section on how each member can contribute to the service all expect and deserve. In what space
remains, it is important to underscore and repeat some
of what has already been said in order to stress the importance of active participation by all members.
Active participation can include submission of articles
for publication in the Journal, reviews of current theatre
books for the Journal, the suggestion of possible projects
for the commissions, written criticisms of project work,
service on committees, completion of surveys, presentation of programs, attendance at meetings of commissions
or sections, and attendance at national conferences. Regardless of how each member participates, it is vital that
all derive maximum benefits from membership by a
personal and active involvement in some way. If this message should inspire any members to seek more information on exactly how they can become involved, please
send a brief note to the Second Vice President, c/o
Department of Theatre Arts, San Jose State University,
San Jose, CA 95192 or call (408) 277-2763. To date,
no reasonable offer has been refused! The opportunity
remains for YOU to become active in U.S.I.T.T.!

NEWS

NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, PART OF A
COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING, OPENED IN SYRACUSE
N.Y., ON JANUARY 15, 1976
Ella Fitzgerald and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra
inaugurated the 2117 seat Concert Theatre of the new
Civic Center in Syracuse, N.Y. on January 15, 1976. On
the two evenings following the opening gala, the new auditorium housed subscription concerts by the Syracuse
Symphony under the direction of Christopher Keene.
The Concert Theatre is part of an Onondaga County
office building, which includes a 464 seat facility, named
the Carrier Theatre. A third mUlti-purpose facility, the
Community Room, seats about 300 people. The county
office functions take place in a high rise tower and in
rooms situated alongside, beneath and above the performing arts portions of the project. The Civic Center is
administered for Onondaga County by the Cultural

SPRING, 1976

Resources Council, Dr. Joseph Golden, Executive Director.
Russell Johnson Associates of New York and Toronto
provided the acoustics consulting for the three auditoriums. McAfee Malo Lebensold Affleck Nichol of Montreal
are the architects for the project. Robert Brannigan Associates provided theatre consulting.
For further information, phone Ross Barentyne at
212-799-3049, or write Russell Johnson Associates,
919 Ansonia Station, New York City 10023.
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY LIGHTING DESIGN
COMPETITION AWARDS ANNOUNCED
BY BERKEY COLORTRAN
A competition to design a drafting table lighting fixture has resulted in cash awards to three winners. The
competition, open to architectural lighting students in
the Syracuse University School of Architecture, was
sponsored by Berkey Colortran, Inc., a division of
Berkey Photo, Inc. Colortran is a leading manufacturer
of lighting equipment for the industrial, motion picture,
television and theatrical markets.
Robert T. Gordon of Jackson, Wyoming received
first place award of $300. The $200 second prize went
to Randolph Noe of Bethel, Conneticut, while the third
place award of $100 was garnered by Jonathan Perlstein of Glendale, New York. In addition, Berkey Colortran donated $400 to the Dean's Fund at the School of
Architecture.
The contest was conceived by officials of Berkey
Colortran and John Fisher, dean of the University's
School of Architecture. Professor Robert S. VanKeuren,
AlA, instructor of the School's lighting course and a
principal of Witt and VanKeuren, an engineering and
architectural design film in Syracuse, coordinated the
competiti on.
The criteria for the competition was to design a drafting table and desk luminaire providing up to 1000 foot
candles at the point of interest, accurate in color rendition
and assisting in line and form definition. The luminaire
would be adjustable to cover any area of a 15 square-foot
table surface without clamp relocation; cover a three
square-foot area with an average intensity of 300 lumens;
cover a 10.7 square-foot area with an average intensity of
266 lumens; be adjustable without tools, screw clamps
or toggles; and be capable of remaining in position after
adjustment. The attractiveness and ultimate saleability
of design was also a prime consideration.

CADILLAC
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OFFERS COMPACT LIBRARY OF PLASTICS

GUIDE

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Zytel® nylon.

Continued on

THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

Page 37

USITT

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 1976