Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 1996 - 6

Anew calendar year, a new volume year, and a new smiling face on
the editor's page. In keeping with this "new" theme, this issue contains some cutting-edge developments in virtual reality, a behindthe-scenes look at a new Broad\\'ay show, and new solutions to old
problems in workplace safety. In addition, we look back in time to
union struggles in 1920s England, a recently discovered theatre
from first century India and an old but magical technology, tile olio
drop.
Rocky Paulson and Steve Nelson have penned an in-deptll
look at fall protection in our industry. Old habits and ignorance
have kept tile riggers who set up events in large venues risking
their lives every time they go to work. This article describes two existing fall protection systems; one is a temporluy system for lighting
trusses and the other is a permanent installation in the high steel of
tile Gund Arena in Cleveland.
Rich Dunham, Vice-Commissioner of the Lighting Design & Technology Commission has written a probing profile of Ken Billington, recipient of the 1994 Distinguished Lighting Designer
Award. Rich's extensive interviews iUuminate Billington's \~ews on all sorts of topics-working \\~tll
otller designers, running cues \\~tll directors, using new technology-and, we get a "you-aretilere" description of BiUington's work on a recent Broadway show, from first meeting witil tile director through tlyouts in Boston, to opening night in New York.
New Technology expel1 Mark Reaney takes us behind his Wizard of Oz-like cUl1ain to show us
all tile computers, \~deo and sound mi.xers, polarizing filters and projectors that he set up for his
~rtual reality in the tlleatre production of Tbe Adding Macbine at niversity of J(,1I1Sas. In addition,
Contributing Editor Delbel1 nruh pro~des a companion :u1icle in which he postulates tllat \~rtual
reality in tile tlleatre represents tile logical next step in the way we perceive space and time on
stage.
Mark Heiser has come across some long-forgotten letters in tile archives at the University of
California at Da~s which, under his looking glass, pro~de a fascinating peek at union/management
conllict in 1920s England.
Thomas Ault, familiar to TD&T readers for Ilis articles on theatre histOlY and architecture, is
one of only a few Westerners who have seen, let alone studied, an ancient theatre in India known as
Queen's Cavern. His :u1icle, together with some excellent photographs, now gives us all a close-up
look at tllis two-century-old secret place.
Bill Raoul also steps back in time to give us a quick refresher course on hanging :Uld rigging a
wonderful old technology-tile roll or olio drop; Leon Brauner brings us up-to-tlle-minute \\~tll
the exciting plans for tile upcoming F0I1 Wortll Conference & Stage Expo; Christine Kaiser, SLIT
Treasurer, gives the Institute's financial healtll a big tllUmbs up; :Uld last, but not least, book and
product re~ewers E1bin Cleveland, Cosmo Catal:ulO Jr., Joseph Stell, and Ron Naverson give us tlleir
candid and careful evaluations.
I promise to be less long-winded in future editor's epistles, but like a new father, I couldn't
resist tile opportunity to dote a little. I'll be passing out cigars in the Broadway Press booth at tile
Fortll WOI1h Conference & St.1ge Expo. Do stop by.
Da~d Rodger

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do not necessarily represent Ihe policies or opinions of the United States Institute for The.ure Technology. Inc. AdvertisemenL~ appe-Ming in this publication are the sole responsibility of the advertiser.
TD&T (lSSN 1052-6765) is published five times a year-Winter, Spring, Summer, F:dl, and Speci:d Issue (in 5eptember)-by United Stales Institute for Theatre Technology, Inc., 10 W. 19th St., Ste. 5,1, Nell' York, NY 10011-4206. TD&T is
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\X/INTER

996

TD&T

THEATRE DESIG & TECHNOLOGY
The jOllrtlal for
design & prodllction professiollals
in tbe performing arts.

HUt) iR' * .n i1111
DAVID RODGER
Edilor
STEVE NELSON
Senior Editor
DEBORAH HAZLEn
Arl Director
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STEVE POLLOCK
Arcbileclure
ELIZABETH LEWANDOWSKI
Coslume
PATRICK M. FINELLI
Compulers & Software
ELBIN CLEVELAND
Education
CHRISTINE FRANKEBERGER
Hea/lb & safe~J'
RICHARD DEVIN
Ligbliug Design
ROBERT L. SMITH
Scenic Design
CHARLIE RICHMOND
Sbofll Conlrol
KEN BELL
Sound Desigu
BILL BROWNING
Tecbn ical Prodnction
RICHARD PETERSON
Prodnclion & Managemenl
NORMA ADLER
Inlefl/ational jonfl/als
ELBIN CLEVELAND
New Prodnct Reviews
ROBERT C. HELLER
New Prodncl Annollncemenls
SYLVIA J. H. PANNELL
Book Reviews
WILLIAM J.' BYRNES
Inside USIIT

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 1996