A look at some products and services that will be exhibiting at USITT
The 62nd Annual USITT Conference and Stage Expo is coming up on March 3-5, 2022, in Baltimore, MD. This 2022 event will be the in-person return of the conference and stage expo and while things may look a bit different [as USITT notes at www.usitt.org/whats-different], those attending will find a wide variety of applied educational activities, sessions, panels, and more. Also returning is the always informative and fun Stage Expo, where a range of exhibiting companies will be showing off new products and services to the industry. To give you a bit of a preview of all the Stage Expo will have to offer we have a selection of companies with a sneak peek of what they will be highlighting at USITT 2022. For further information on the Stage Expo and the Conference, we suggest you head over to the USITT Conference website, where you can see all the exhibitors, sessions, trainings and labs on offer as well as register at www.usitt.org/conference22 .
Chauvet Professional
Ovation Rêve E-3 is a new kind of epic story-telling machine that fuses the best of both worlds into one totally reimagined LED light source. Crafted to perfection, Ovation Rêve features a bright, multi-color LED light engine capable of producing both deep, saturated colors, AND completely tunable whites. Theatrical lighting designers can seamlessly transition from captivating a wide range of saturated colors in class-leading output to distinct whites with +/- green adjustments using ONE fixture. Its Color Temperature presets range from 2,800K to 8,000K and maintains outstanding brightness and a high quality of light throughout. An emulated red shift feature also exists for a tungsten feel. Ovation Rêve E-3 features several dimming curves, a virtually silent operation with fan-off modes, and a series of technician-friendly features such as an innovative, adjustable yoke that makes mounting in low clearance situations a breeze. No ifs, or buts. Simply and categorically unrivaLED for theatre.
Doug Fleenor Designs
Doug Fleenor Design, a long-time supporter of USITT will be exhibiting at the USITT Stage Expo in Baltimore, MD. DFD is a manufacturer of DMX512 distribution and interface equipment for the entertainment industry. A long and growing list of standard products is supplemented by a custom design service that provides solutions to unique problems. Started in 1990 by principal engineer Doug Fleenor (aka Dr. DMX), with two products—the Inline Opto-Isolator and the DMX to AMX Converter, both of which are still in production—the company has grown to be an established leader in DMX512 technology. Started as a design firm to help other companies incorporate DMX512 into their own products, Fleenor did not envision his company becoming the premier manufacturer of DMX512 distribution and interface products that it is today. But as DMX512 evolved, many of his clients’ needed solutions that no one was making: distribution products, interfaces to control non-DMX devices from their console, simple go/no-go test gear, and small controllers. Still innovating, Doug Fleenor Design is always worth a visit at the Stage Expo.
Elation Professional
The Proteus Rayzor Edge™ and Proteus Rayzor Blade™ are a combination of linear wash, linear strobe, and SparkLED FX inside a compact IP65 linear fixture design. Protected from dust and water ingress with an IP65 rating, they are part of Elation’s Proteus range of outdoor luminaires. Driven by 6 or 12 independently controlled 60W RGBW LEDs respectively. The oversized front lenses are enhanced by the patent-pending Spark-LED technology, which consists of individual white LEDs placed inside the lens. Proteus Rayzor fixtures offer this internal lens illumination for depth and visual impact. The Spark-
LEDs are controllable by the lighting console or via internal FX patterns. In addition to the wash and SparkLED effects, the Edge and Blade have two seamless high-intensity strobe lines with a total of up to 256 cool white strobe LEDs. Flanking the Rayzor lenses across the entire length of the fixture, these dual strobe arrays offer visual effects with an integrated FX or pixel controlled from the lighting console. These fixtures allow for tilt sweep motions and have a zoom range from 5˚ – 45˚, with an output up to 12,500 lumens.
IA Stage
Grip Stuff by IA Stage is a line of high-quality textile products made specifically for the entertainment industry. We’ve chosen to introduce the line with saddle-style sandbags. From fabric selection to strap installation, these sandbags are engineered to take a beating. We’re confident that we produce the best sandbag in the industry. We use 600 denier polyester fabric, which has a special polyurethane coating on the reverse side, rendering it water-resistant. We chose polyester, not nylon, so ultraviolet rays will not deteriorate the bags. Double stitched main body utilizes the highest quality bonded polyester thread to make extremely durable seams. Each bag is equipped with a heavy duty, 1.5” wide polypropylene strap, attached with parachute style stitching. Straps are available in 21 custom colors. 25lb. black bags are standard. Other weights and colors are available. If you’re looking for something other than sandbags, we also manufacture an assortment of equipment covers, bags, and pouches. Tell us what you’re looking for and chances are we can make it.
www.iastage.com/products/grip-stuff
IWEISS
IWEISS is a 120+ year-old company that’s become a firm providing theatrical drapery, manual and automation rigging systems, and a full line of theatrical products. 2018 marked IWEISS’ first year distributing its Align manual rigging systems to a nationwide selection of theatrically based suppliers and contractors. IWEISS’ Align rigging equipment has been installed in venues from elementary schools and churches to nationally acclaimed Broadway touring venues, regional theaters, performing art centers, and New York City’s Broadway theaters. Align is now a complete line of counterweight rigging which includes head blocks, loft blocks, and guide systems for overhead rigging and provides a cost-efficient stage rigging solution. All Align products are highly visible and manufactured with strict engineering as stock equipment designs. Align products can be customized to your request using the highest industry standards in machining including CNC laser cutting, forming, and lathing technologies.
Robe
Robe’s T11 luminaire range of conventional fixtures are available in three versions—Fresnel, Profile, and PC, via a quick-change front lens system. The T11 uses Robe’s MSL-TE™ 350W LED engine generates 16,760 initial lumens; the Fresnel produces 9,600 lumens. Being a TE™ (Transferable Engine) light source, brings the advantages of exchangeability. This concept enables different and interchangeable LED engines in the same fixture hardware, which can be quickly changed in under seven minutes. The light engine uses Robe’s MSL™ (Multi-Spectral Light) color technology. A rapid-change front lens system transforms the T11 into the Profile, Fresnel or PC variants making it an even more cost-effective and adaptable creative tool. The T11 has a zoom ratio from 5° – 50° for the Profile; 5° – 60° for the Fresnel and PC lens variants. The T11 includes a virtually controlled CCT range between 2,700K to 8,000K. Calibrated whites and tungsten emulation with high TLCI and TM30-18 ratings and a CRI of 95+. The T11 includes a manual shuttering system; in the Fresnel version it acts as an internal barn door.
Scenic Solutions
Dedicated to quality and craftsmanship, the full-service studio Scenic Solutions helps you with whatever you need to create high-impact stage shows, set designs and experiences that captivate and inspire. They are family-owned, with a mission to provide peerless service, equipment, and expertise. With a unique point of view that separates them from other suppliers, Scenic Solutions’ ability is to look at traditional fabrication challenges in non-traditional ways.
Offering a range of services including fabrication, rigging, design, scenic art, soft goods, flame treatment, specialty equipment, lighting, and installation, Scenic Solutions utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to fabricate sets and build scenery to exact specifications. They are able to take on any size project and handle massive assemblies with ease at their 24,000 square foot facility, with 31-foot ceilings, a 44-ton gantry crane and a variety of specialized equipment. Building shows, not just scenery, they strive to help you create life-like or fantastical scenes that support your production. From hand-painted backdrops to realistic fabrications, they can help you set any stage and transport your audience to exactly where you want them and help to suspend reality when your vision comes to life.
Wenger | J.R. Clancy Vantis™ Wall Controller
The line of Vantis automated rigging controllers from J.R. Clancy offers an even higher level of safety, control, precision, and intuitive operation for theaters. The Vantis Wall Controller offers numerous features, like variable speed control, multiple targets per machine, unlimited presets, and load-sensing capability. And they’re all available on the 10” touchscreen. That may sound complicated, but the simple, powerful, and intuitive interface makes it easy to control. You can even program your own presets for up to 24 motorized machines and then tailor the permissions on each for a new level of security, protecting your equipment and your users. The Wall Controller is available in a Cabinet or Rack Mount version and has an optional Vantis Remote Operator Pendant. This option provides a remote GO button to ensure the user can have line of sight to the moving equipment.
Hands-on Opportunities
USITT22 offers attendees a wealth of hands-on Labs, some require advance signup but there are also many walk-up opportunities. So, while you are taking in the Stage Expo be sure to check out what is happening at this year’s Labs which include the Lighting Lab; Virtual Design Lab; Digital Media & Projection Exploration Lab; VR Lab; Scenic Art Paint Lab; Costume Lab; Props & Models Lab; Mechanical Advantage Lab; and the Ground Rigging School Lab. You can view the walk-up lab dates and descriptions by visiting the USITT22 schedule on the website.
