Stage Directions Magazine

11/02/2023

WICKED The Musical is celebrating its 20th anniversary today, having opened at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway October 30, 2003. Directed by Joe Mantello, the show’s incredible design work and production elements have brought Oz to life for 7,718 performances on Broadway. Eugene Lee’s scenery; Susan Hilferty’s costumes; Kenneth Posner’s lighting; and Elaine J. McCarthy’s projections, are as spellbinding today as they were when the Emerald curtain rose two decades ago. Follow the link to a wonderful series of videos where the Wicked designers and associates take us inside their stunning work on Broadway’s fourth longest running show.

'Wicked' is celebrating its 20th anniversary today, having opened at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway October 30, 2003. Directed by Joe Mantello, the show's incredible design work and production elements have brought Oz to life for 7,718 performances on Broadway. Eugene Lee's scenery; Susan Hilferty...

11/02/2023

Congratulations to the backstage crews of the Goodspeed Opera House for unionizing.

IATSE

Projection, Lights and Staging News

07/20/2023

The Broadway League and Buena Vista Theatrical d/b/a/ Disney Theatrical and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees announced they have reached a tentative agreement for the “Pink Contract,” Thursday July 20, 2023, pending ratification by the bargaining unit. The respective parties will inform their members of the details of this agreement in the coming days.

IATSE

Projection, Lights and Staging News

07/13/2023

Bluffton Youth Theatre, in Bluffton, SC, aims to support young performers regardless of the physical, mental, or emotional challenges they face. They are moving into a permanent theater location, but they say their $5,000 trailer with roughly $1,000 of contents inside was stolen by “heartless thieves.” In the midst of raising funds for their new theatre, this theft sets them back in an already challenging endeavor. The theater group is raising funds to replace the stolen items with a GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/recover-the-loss-of-our-stolen-trailer

Bluffton Youth Theatre’s Trailer ($5,000 value) and contents ($1,000 value) were… Jennifer Ford needs your support for Recover the loss of our stolen trailer

06/19/2023

From back when you painted in three-piece suits! Here's a lovely post we shared from the Guild of Scenic Artists of a painting by Paul Mathey of Auguste Alfred Rubé, a Scenic Artist in the 1800s who painted a number of drops for the Paris Opera.

We recently came across this painting by Paul Mathey of Auguste Alfred Rubé, a Scenic Artist in the 1800s who did a lot of work for the Paris Opera.

A painting of a painter at work! It appears that not much has changed, though perhaps there are fewer three-piece suits.... 😍

06/13/2023

Here are the Design Winners of the 2023 TONY Awards. We send our sincere congratulations to all the honorees and the nominees on such wonderful work this season!

Some beautiful design work was nominated for the 76th Annual TONY Awards this year and selecting winners was surely a difficult task. However, winners were indeed announced at the celebration of Broadway's incredible season of work. Here is the list of the Tony Award worthy designs for 2023 with the...

06/13/2023

The Stage Managers' Association of the United States (SMA) has announced its annual Del Hughes Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Stage Management. The distinguished 2023 honorees are theatrical production stage managers John M. Atherlay and Gwen Gilliam, and opera production stage manager Brett Finley. In addition to these Lifetime Achievement Awards, the SMA will honor Elynmarie Kazle with The Founders Award.

Projection, Lights and Staging News

05/16/2023

The Tony Awards will go ahead with the June 11 ceremony and broadcast. The WGA has said that they will not picket the awards ceremony. Click for further information on this situation.

The WGA has made a statement that they will not picket the Tony Awards, thus clearing the way for the Broadway celebration to be broadcast live on June 11, 2023, with some adjustments. The 'no picket line' assurance means that members of other unions will now be able to attend and work the Tony Awar...

05/12/2023

News from the Howell Binkley Fellowship. They have announced the third Binkley Fellow for 2023, Amara McNeill. Follow the link to learn more. We send our congratulations to McNeill and look forward to seeing her lighting designs on stage!

Projection, Lights and Staging News

05/12/2023

We send our congratulations to Chelsea Antrim Dennis on her next act with the Washington National Opera as Director of Production.

Chelsea Antrim Dennis joins the Washington National Opera as Director of Production, beginning August 7, 2023. Dennis comes to WNO from Santa Fe Opera, where she currently serves as Director of Production. Dennis’ position will oversee the technical production, costumes, lighting, stage management...

05/02/2023

We would like to send our congratulations to Lisa Dawn Cave for her upcoming Tony Awards' Honor for Excellence in the Theatre. It is well deserved for all of her work and advocacy for everyone. Follow the link to learn more about her work and this honor.

Stage Managers' Association of the United States

Projection, Lights and Staging News

04/16/2023

We tip our hat to Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera closing today and sadly say goodbye. This month we caught up with some people who’ve been there since the first curtain!


The Phantom of the Opera

Bringing Down the Chandelier on Broadway’s The dazzling replica of the Paris Opera House chandelier (known as Ruthie II on Broadway, in honor of Ruth Mitchell, Assistant to the Director Harold Prince) features 6,000 beads and weighs one ton. It has traveled 4,588,949 feet (863 miles). ndrew Lloyd ...

03/24/2023

We at Stage Directions Magazine congratulate Elynmarie Kazle for being honored with the Dr. Joel E. Rubin Founders Award by USITT. Follow the link to learn more about this honor.

Projection, Lights and Staging News

03/11/2023

PRG North America will be leading a session at the upcoming USITT 2023 Conference and Expo in St. Louis. Join them as they discuss Executing the Designer's Vision through Designer and Shop Collaboration on Broadway Productions. The panel includes Lighting Designer Adam Honoré, Sound Designer Matt Bell, Scenic Designer Ed Pierce. This session will be moderated by John Van Arsdale, Director of Projects, PRG and PRG Account Executives Erin Insalaco and Josh Karp will be on the panel as well.

Follow the Link to learn more about this session and how you can sign up for a raffle to win an iPad Mini at the session.

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Projection, Lights and Staging News

02/25/2023

Lighting Designer, Educator, Author, and Mentor James L. Moody passed away suddenly on February 20, 2023. He was 80. He influenced and mentored many people throughout his life and we are sorry that he is gone far too soon. Follow the link to learn about his remarkable life and career lighting concerts, television, and theater.

Projection, Lights and Staging News

01/31/2023

The Conference: Live at Lititz announced today that the second annual conference will take place at the Rock Lititz campus on December 6, 7, & 8, 2023. Join the CJMS team (Charlie Hernandez, Jake Berry, Marty Hom, and Stuart Ross) in building a stronger, healthier live event industry.

Follow the link to learn more about the upcoming conference.

Projection, Lights and Staging News

01/26/2023

We send our congratulations to Laura Lee Everett, who will become the next Executive Director of USITT. She will be at the USITT Expo in St. Louis in March and officially begins March 21, 2023. Everett is currently the Chief Programs Officer for OPERA America.

Projection, Lights and Staging News

01/16/2023

The Parnelli Awards Ballot is now live! Follow the link to learn more and find a link to voting. PLSN congratulates all the nominees for a Parnelli Award, the most prestigious award in our industry. Now that the ballot is out and the voting is open, if you are a PLSN subscriber, be sure to vote for the live event professionals and companies who you think exemplify the best of the best in our industry.

Voting has begun for the next Parnelli Awards ceremony, to be held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA on Friday, April 14, 2023, during the NAMM Show. Please note that only current subscribers to Projection, Lights & Staging News and FRONT of HOUSE magazines get to vote. Voting will clo...

12/22/2022

A big h/t to Bill Campbell for sharing this gem!

12/20/2022

Breaking News: ARRI AG has signed an agreement with ams OSRAM for the of Claypaky. Follow the link to learn more about this deal on PLSN.com.

Projection, Lights and Staging News

10/25/2022

We at Stage Directions Magazine send our congratulations to the Stage Managers' Association of the United States on the formation of the new Stage Managers' Association Foundation. This new educational initiative was launched last night at the SMA's Del Hughes Awards event. Follow the link to learn more.

The Stage Managers’ Association has created a new organization – the Stage Managers’ Association Foundation to support and promote the craft and art of stage management. It will fund education, training, and scholarships that enhance and develop stage management skills.

10/24/2022

You have less than two weeks to make your voice heard! The Live Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (LACE) Survey shines a light on all the work done in the entertainment industry, and beyond. This five-minute survey is available for everyone. It closes on Nov. 4, 2022.

The LACE Survey is for anyone who works in concert touring, theater and the performing arts, themed entertainment, museums, exhibitions, parade floats, haunted attractions, live music concerts, Houses of Worship, retail experiences, immersive environments, living history sites, or other live events in the arts, culture, or entertainment.

Millions of Americans are employed in the fields of live events, but their work is often hidden. This survey addresses that hidden labor by learning more about workers themselves.

We strongly encourage you to take this brief, 5-minute survey.

There are only two weeks left to make your voice heard! The Live Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (LACE) Survey shines a light on all the work done in the entertainment industry, and beyond. This five-minute survey is available for everyone who works in concert touring, the performing arts, themed e...

10/11/2022

On Monday October 24th, 2022, the Stage Managers' Association of the United States (SMA) will present its annual Del Hughes Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Stage Management, at the National Opera Center’s Marc A. Scorca Hall in NYC. The distinguished 2022 honorees are corporate, event, and theatrical stage manager Andrew Feigin, opera stage manager Raymond Menard, and theatrical stage manager Bernita Robinson. In addition to these Lifetime Achievement Awards, the SMA will honor Marguerite Price with The Founders Award, and Narda E. Alcorn and Lisa Porter with a Special Recognition Award.

The event is available virtually on Monday, October 24th, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

Registration is required and the event is free. Follow the link to get more information and to register.

https://plsn.com/newsroom/all-news/the-stage-managers-association-2022-del-hughes-awards-for-lifetime-achievement-in-the-art-of-stage-management-oct-24th/

Projection, Lights and Staging News

10/10/2022

Today 10/10/2022 is International Stage Managers’ Day, an annual event that began in the UK in 2013. Since this year’s International Stage Managers’ Day takes place on a Monday and many theaters are dark, SMs will have a whole day to celebrate.

This year, the Stage Managers' Association of the United States Newsletter and SMA International Cohort are collecting submissions from stage managers around the world centered around the theme of 'Resetting Better Now, Not Later'. Follow the link to learn more and to submit your own thoughts on the subject.

Monday October 10, 2022 is International Stage Managers' Day. Be sure to honor and recognize the hard work of Stage Managers in your world. Also, be sure to submit your thoughts on this year's theme of

10/10/2022

In honor of International Stage Managers' Appreciation Day 10/10/2022, here's the Stage Manager's Prayer for you.

Please say thank you to a Stage Manager today or do something nice for them. Show your appreciation for all of their hard work. Without them, we’d never get anything done!

Stage Managers' Association of the United States Stage Management Association

10/07/2022

Tonight, Friday, October 7, 2022 is the TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards Ceremony. We at Stage Directions Magazine send our sincere congratulations to all of the honorees tonight! Read more about all the honorees and their backgrounds at the link.

TDF, the not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, announced those to be honored at this year’s TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards ceremony, set for Oct. 7 at the Edison Ballroom in NYC’s Times Square. Fred Voelpel, who passed away in June, will be honored posthumously with the TDF/Iren...

10/04/2022

We were very sorry to hear about the damage that Hurricane Ian wrought on the Venice Theatre in Venice, FL. Here's some news from the vibrant theatre company as they set about rebuilding along with some photos. We look forward to their next act!!

Hurricane Ian, that recently came ashore on Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm, wrought severe damage to the Venice Theatre in Venice, FL. The theatre has been forced to cease all activities in the wake of the storm, but it was reported that all staff and team were safe after the storm.