What is USITT?
United States Institute for Theatre Design & Technology will be 50 years old next year. I have been an active member in the organization for half of its life. The organization is the "Association of Design, Production, and Technology professionals in the performing arts and entertainment industry", so this includes people from educational, semi-professional, professional theatre and business and industry. One of the major activities that USITT presents is an annual conference at a major city in the U.S. or Canada. While the institute began with a focus on design and production in the U.S., it now has a partner organization in Europe and Asia (OISTAT) and features and attracts theatre and entertainment professionals from these areas to its national conference each year. The national conference attracts about 4000 participants each year to the annual four-day event in March. The conference includes sessions on every conceivable design and production subject, design exhibits, technology displays, portfolio reviews and displays, employment services, grad school & internship interviews, and a stage products exhibition floor where most every theatre supply and production company is present to display and introduce their products. Lots of swag is available! It is a great week for learning new things and meeting people from all over who are engaged in design and production for performance and entertainment. Visit the "USITT National Conference Picts" link in the sidebar.
A National Organization and Regional Sections
USITT is a national organization that includes more than 3,600 designers of scenery, costume, sound, and lighting; scenery, costume, sound, and lighting technicians; properties, makeup, and special effects craftspersons; stagehands; architects; theatrical consultants; acousticians; performing arts educators and staff; and performing arts manufacturers, supplies and distributors throughout the Unites States, Canada, and 40 other countries.
USITT also has 19 regional sections through the US and Canada. The Northern Boundary Section (NBS) includes members in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Iowa. The regional sections plan events through the year and foster connection and communication between design and production students, educators, professionals and commercial suppliers. NBS hosts an annual Fall Workshop in September of each year and the workshop is typically held at a college or university campus in the four-state area. NBS also publishes an online newsletter four times a year. As Vice-Chair for publications in NBS, I am the newsletter editor. Links forFall Workshop picts and the May, 2009 newsletter are located in the sidebar.
