Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 1975 - 5

EDITORIAL & NEWS
EDITORIAL - - - - - - - - On July 1st, Ed Kook took over as president of the
Institute. As we all begin a new theatre season, Mr. Kook's
letter should prove an inspiration for everyone of us.
A LETTER FROM YOUR PRESIDENT
TO ALL OF THE MEMBERSHIP
The purpose of this letter is to talk about the quality
and standards of the American Theatre and the role of the
U.S.I.T.T. After a long decline in activity and attendance,
Americans are witnessing a resurgence of theatre as a vital
part of our culture. Theatre producing companies are
springing up allover the country; theatre-going is again
becoming a habit. We in the U.S.I.T.T. have made, and
continue to make, an essential contribution to this
resurgence. Membership, which is comprised of theatre
artists, consultants, craftsmen, teachers, engineers, acousticians and technicians consistently work together to raise
our standards to even higher levels of professionalism and
to firmly establish the "American Theatre" as an
enduring, vigorous cultural force in the lives of all of us.
The U.S.I.T.T.'s programs have been, and are, directed
toward the development of projects infields of theatre
planning, design and construction. Suggestions and criticisms of educational courses in theory and practice in
these specialized areas are intended to up-grade and
up-date curricula through their dissemination. And because the U.S.I.T.T. is firm in its tenet that education is
an ever continuing process, it goes beyond arranging
forums, seminars, demonstrations and investigations of
contemporary theatres, their facilities, equipment,
machinery, control systems and materials utilized in the
presentation of plays.
The U.S.I.T.T. has instituted master classes to acquaint
its members with the latest and most creative work both
here and abroad. These classes bring top designers,
architects and engineers to the Institute's several regional
sections. For this program, U.S.I.T. T. has been fortunate
in obtaining the distinguished services of Joseph Svoboda
of Czechoslovakia, Helmut Grosser of West Germany, and
England's Frederick Bentham. Each is a leader in his field
and has toured our country from Coast to Coast to relate,
describe and demonstrate his experiences. Now I can
announce the acceptance of similar tours by two leading
American designers, Jo Mielziner and Ming Cho Lee, who
will visit the Regions in 1975 and 1976. Their lectures will
afford the membership an exciting interchange of ideas
and will provide the finest source for learning about stage
design as it is practised at the top level of our professional
theatre. We are especially eager to bring as many young
students as possible into these sessions. The future is in
their hands and we must encourage them to reshape the
theatre with their energy and vision.
Another forthcoming event of importance is the
Czechoslavakian sponsored Ouadrienelle to be held in
Prague in January, 1976. To it will journey artists and
workers to relate their experiences and the aesthetic and
technical aspects of production in which they have been
involved. The U.S.I.T.T. delegation will include ten (10)
students who will be selected by their schools. A grant of
$250.00 to each will be offered to help defray their

travelling expenses. To apply for such a grant, students are
advised to communicate with the main office of the
U.S.I.T.T., 1501 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10036.
These funds come from our Treasury with assistance
from generous patrons. As a non-profit, tax-free organ ization, the U.S.I.T.T. is self-supporting and it is comforting
to report that it is solvent. It derives its operating funds
from membership dues, from the sale of publications,
from organizational subscriptions to Theatre Design and
Technology and the advertisements in it, and from
commercial exhibitor's rental fees at our annual convention. In addition, we are most grateful for, and dependent
upon, the voluntary services rendered by the elected
officers, the Board of Directors and the selected Commissioners. These dedicated' individuals enl iven and enhance the larger purposes and goals of the U.S.I.T.T.
I am asking the membership to be cognizant of the
services rendered by these volunteers. They serve many
long hours beyond their daily pursuit for bread. At the
same time,all of us in the Institute hold them accountable
for carrying out the responsibilities of their several offices.
We need more members to voluntarily participate in
this essential work. I believe there is great gratification in
the performance of such service. The more we can grow
and the more actively we can collaborate, the greater our
part will be in the continuing resurgence of the American
Theatre.
Edward F. Kook, President
U.S.I.T.T.

ARE YOU ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE
WORK OF A U.S.I.T.T. COMMISSION?
The Institute's organizational structure has changed in
recent months and now contains the following Commissions:
Theatre Administration, William Crocken, Commissioner
Architecture, Peter H. Frink, Commissioner
Codes, Randall Davidson, Commissioner
Costumes, Don Stowell, Jr., Commissioner
Engineering and Acoustics, Fred M. Wolff and David
Klepper, Commissioners
Performing Arts Training and Education [PATE] John
Bracewell, Commissioner
Presentation. Margaret Ezek iel, Commissioner
All of the Commissions are engaged in tasks of vital
importance. Everyone of them can benefit from your
involvement. Write today to the Commissioner of the one
in which you can make a contribution. Ask for a listing of
the projects and investigations in progress. As all of us tell
our students: "You only learn in the Theatre when you
get involved!" All of us stand to benefit from your
involvement. Do it today.
Last summer, in less than a month's time, two most
respected and distinguished gentlemen of the American
Continued on page 8

USITI

THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

FAll. 1975

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 1975