Theatre Design & Technology - Summer 2007 - 13

That was mid-twentieth century. How did we get here from
there?
I needn't tell you about American theatre today. The regional theatre has greatly matured. Professional companies
staging first class performances have developed throughout the
country. So now most major cities, even much smaller cities,
have become theatre centers in their regions. It would be difficult to find people anywhere in the country who are not an easy
distance from good theatre.
New dramas and new productions originating in regional
companies often go on to play in New York City. Thus they are
functioning as "tributary" theatres.
Theatre education in college has improved overall. Further, we now have professional training programs taught by
faculty with professional credits. So, young graduates in acting
have opportunities for careers in theatre, film, and television.
Design and tech students have the chance to work as assistants
to designers or receive valuable internships with reputed theatre companies.
Architects have become more capable in designing theatres. Theatre consultants, gaining new respectability, formed
the American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) in 1983.
They have contributed their voice to advance code, safety, and
recommended building practices.
In 1987, manufacturers, dealers, and distributors of theatre equipment and services formed the Entertainment Services
and Technology Association (ESTA). This 450-member organization has established an outstanding publication and technical
standards program to educate and improve our profession.
Of course, we cannot forget the enormous development in
technology in the past half-century. We now have new plastics,
adhesives, paints, coatings, motorized rigging, intelligent light
sources, new projectors, and control systems. We are in a new
technical age. The age of the computer. Computers have revolutionized nearly all areas of our field.
We also need to realize how much USITT has contributed
to this progress. Let us look at just four major achievements.
First, the Institute is a leading force in disseminating knowledge and information about design and technology. Our conferences now present over 180 informational
sessions on all areas of our field. More in-depth education is
provided by pre-conference workshops, master classes, and
costume symposiums.
Our journal, TD&T, contains valuable articles, reviews,
and new product information. The Institute's newest effort, the
Monograph Series, is an important step in becoming a leader
in documenting the work of significant designers. Publications
available, seen at the USITT Boutique during our conferences
as well as in USITT's online bookstore year-round, lists over
forty publications for sale. There are many more books today
that we would call basic references than the nineteen listed as
basic fifty-five years ago.
Second, the Institute has a long record of reaching
out, exhibiting outstanding work, recognizing superior
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achievements in our field and showcasing industry
products and services. This year the annual Stage Expo included over 190 exhibitors occupying over 27,000 square feet
of space. The Design and Tech Expos show outstanding juried
projects. The Cover the Walls exhibit held each year is open
to anyone. There are also many special exhibits. The fabulous
World Stage Design at the 2005 Toronto conference is a good
example. At the 2006 conference there were special exhibits
for hands-on hydraulics, stage transportation (prop vehicles),
theatre architecture, antique followspots, international designs,
and the work of six distinguished designers.
The Institute presents numerous awards each year. Many
are intended to acknowledge individuals for outstanding
achievements in our field. We also recognize quality theatre
architecture. Since 1994, ninety architectural projects have received honor or merit awards.
Surely, the most extensive outreaches are our international associations with the International Organization of Scenographers, Technicians and Architects of Theatre (OISTAT) and the
Prague Quadrennial (PQ). This has brought us into world-wide
communication in our field and yearly attendance of international guests at our conferences.
Third, no other organization is more supportive of
students and young professionals than USITT. Our annual student membership exceeds one thousand. That is thirty
percent of our entire membership. Students are involved in
the twenty-two student chapters across the country. They participate in Tech Olympics at our conferences. Each year no less
than 100 students join the Student Volunteer Program to help
us run these conferences. They work for fifteen hours to earn
free conference registration. And if there were more conference jobs, there would be more volunteers.
Student portfolio reviews and special mentoring programs
are held each year. For the Young Designers Forum, a jury selects
up to twenty designers to have their work reviewed by professionals and exhibited at the annual conference. Travel and study
grants are awarded to students for travel to Europe and PQ.
Thanks to generous donors, the YD&T Awards have been
established for talented young designers and technicians. By
the end of this evening, eighty-five young people will have received one of these awards over the years.
Finally, USITT has become a leader in the advancement of our profession. Over forty research projects and
fellowships have been funded by the Grants and Fellowships
Committee. That represents over $200,000 in grant money
mostly from donations to the Kook Endowment and including
$58,000 raised from the Art Auctions held every three years.
Our commissions have been largely responsible for professional advances such as graphic standards, portfolio guidelines,
costume job descriptions, tenure and promotion guidelines,
and many others.
USITT has joined with sister organizations to improve our
profession. The Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) is an example of this joint effort. And talk about

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Summer 2007