Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2006 - 5

from the

editor

Contributors to this issue of TD&T reflect the rich diversity
of USITT members-students, full professors, freelance
professionals, and commercial members.
Andy Pierce, a graduate student at University of Missouri-Kansas City, describes a six-day, high-intensity workshop with guest professor Deborah Nadoolman Landis who
is currently president of the Costume Designers Guild.
Landis Magnuson revisits a nineteenth-century opera house
where an unusual tilting floor allows the building to be used
for both cultural and civic functions. Bradford Clark and
Rafael Jaen share their expertise with creating digital portfolios in a variety of formats. Holly Poe
Durbin, who has a special interest in the confluence of costume and art, describes an art exhibition
in which the three artists have backgrounds in designing and building clothes for theatre. Alan Hardiman
takes us backstage and above the ceiling of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto to
explain why even in a new opera house carefully designed to have superb natural acoustics the architects and consultants specified a sophisticated electro-acoustic sound reinforcement system. David
Vogel, a freelance technical director and lighting designer, conducted a survey to collect data on the subject of training programs in technical direction. His conclusions should stimulate both argument and
reform. Finally, Jeff and Lindsay Brown profile the Arizona Theatre Company which maintains its
distinction as Arizona's state theatre by simultaneously serving as the resident theatre in three communities-Phoenix, Tucson, and Mesa.
We have a new member of the editorial board-David Glowacki is replacing William Hektner
as associate editor for health and safety. During Bill Hektner's tenure, since 1996, we've published
some important pieces such as Randy Davidson's 2001 Fellows Address, "The State of Health and
Safety in the Theatre: 2001," and David Glowacki's "MSDS: Looking for Nutrition in the Alphabet
Soup." Bill says he is gladly and permanently retired.
David Glowacki, currently serving as vice-commissioner for the Health and Safety Commission, has agreed to expand his service to USITT. We can't be more pleased, especially because he
tells us that he has just been certified as an Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer.
Two editorial errors in the summer issue need correction. First, in the "On the Cover" note on
page 3, I misidentified Adam Miecielica's school. His set design for Big Love featured on the cover
was produced at University of Arkansas (not Alabama). Second, in Mike Monsos' piece about historic theatres in Utah, he mentions the Deseret Dramatic Association. Deseret (not Desert) was the
name of an area proposed by the Mormons in 1849 as an independent State. -dr
U S I T T M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T
United States Institute for Theatre Technology is the association of design, production and technology professionals in
the performing arts and entertainment industry. Founded in 1960, the Institute's unique mission is to actively promote
the advancement of the knowledge and skills of its members.
USITT's volunteer members and staff work together to fulfill the mission by: promoting research, innovation and
creativity by sponsoring projects, programs and symposia; disseminating information about aesthetic and technological developments; providing opportunities for professional contacts and networking; producing the USITT Annual Conference & Stage Expo; participating in the development of industry standards; promoting and sponsoring international
alliances and activities; advocating safe, efficient and ethical practices; sponsoring exhibits of scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, stage technology and architectural designs; recognizing excellence and significant contributions in the performing arts and entertainment industry.
Statements and opinions expressed in articles or editorials in TD&T are the expressions of the individual contributors and
do not necessarily represent the policies or opinions of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Inc. Advertisements appearing in this publication are the sole responsibility of the advertiser.
TD&T (ISSN 1052-6765) is published five times a year-Winter, Spring, Summer, Special Issue, and Fall-by United States
Institute for Theatre Technology, Inc., 6443 Ridings Road, Syracuse, NY 13206-1111. Subscription to TD&T, also known as
Theatre Design & Technology, is a benefit of USITT membership. Fourteen dollars is deducted from membership dues to cover cost
of publication. Periodicals postage paid at Syracuse, NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
TD&T, c/o USITT, 6443 Ridings Road, Syracuse, NY 13206-1111. COPYRIGHT © 2006 by United States Institute for Theatre
Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
4

THEATRE

DESIGN

TECHNOLOGY
F

2006

THEATRE
DESIGN &
TECHNOL OGY
The journal for design,
production and technolog y
professionals in the
performing arts and
entertainment industry.

EDITORIAL OFFICE
DAVID RODGER
Editor

DEBORAH HAZLETT
Art Director
*
3001 Springcrest Dr.
Louisville, KY 40241-2755
502-426-1211 fax: 502-423-7467
e-mail: TDT@broadwaypress.com

A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R S
RAYMOND KENT
Architecture

PEGGY ROSEFELDT
Costume Design & Technology

PATRICK M. FINELLI
Computers & Software

WILLIAM KENYON
Education

JERRY GORRELL
Engineering

DAVID C. GLOWACKI
Health & Safety

RICHARD DEVIN
Lighting Design

RICHARD PETERSON
Management

ROBERT L. SMITH & HEIDI HOFFER
Scenic Design

DAVE TOSTI-LANE
Sound Design

BILL BROWNING
Technical Production

ARNOLD WENGROW
Book Reviews

WILLIAM J. BYRNES
Inside USITT

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
ARNOLD ARONSON * ERIC FIELDING *
SARAH NASH GATES * JOEL E. RUBIN *
BEEB SALZER * DELBERT UNRUH * TOM
WATSON * ARNOLD WENGROW

A DV E R T I S I N G
MICHELLE L. SMITH
Membership & Ad Sales Manager
*
6443 Ridings Road
Syracuse, NY 13206-1111
800-93USITT / 315-463-6463
fax: 866-FXUSITT / 315-463-6525
e-mail: michelle@office.usitt.org

I N T E R N AT I O N A L A F F I L I AT I O N
USITT is the United States Center of OISTAT:
The International Organization of
Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2006