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Last Chance: Nominations for Regional Hometown Heroes Close Aug. 25

Each year, PLSN honors regional lighting production companies with our Hometown Hero award. This award—from nominations to winners—is selected by PLSN readers. The winning company will receive the Parnelli Hometown Hero Lighting Company of the Year Award on Jan. 26, 2024 in Anaheim, CA during NAMM. But hurry, nominations close soon. The deadline is this Friday, Aug. 25, at 5 p.m. PDT.

75th Emmy Awards Nominations Announced

The nominations for the 75th Emmy Awards were announced this past week, including the nominees for the Creative Arts Emmys, honoring artistic and technical achievements in television. The 2023 Creative Arts Emmy Awards are currently scheduled to take place at the Peacock Theater over two consecutive nights on Saturday, September 9, and Sunday, September 10.

Stage Directions Callboard, June 2023

The Howell Binkley Fellowship Program announced their third Fellow for 2023, Amara McNeil; and a 2023 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre will be presented to Production Supervisor and Production Stage Manager Lisa Dawn Cave. We also look at the Tony design nominations and present the news of appointments and promotions at the Washington National Opera (WNO).

Making the Evening Happen: The Sponsors

The annual Parnelli Awards ceremony is the one night a year we shine the spotlight on those who spend their careers away from it, toiling backstage. And the evening wouldn’t be possible without our forward-thinking, industry-supporting sponsors. Here’s a brief introduction to who they are and what they do for our industry.

Willa Kim Scholarship & Exhibition; News from Perdue and USITT

The Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced the recipients of 2023 The Willa Kim Costume Design Scholarship, honoring costume designer Willa Kim’s legacy and her life’s work as a pioneer, legend, and inspiration for many of today’s theater artists. Kim’s iconic work in ballet, theater, opera, and television is also the subject of a career spanning retrospective at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts as noted in this month’s theater news, along with a new online course in Structures for the Stage from Purdue University. We also look at USITT’s Gateway Program and USITT’s 2023 Joel E. Rubin Founders Award honoree, Elynmarie Kazle.

Designer, Author, Educator James L. Moody, 80

Designer James L. Moody died this year at the age of 80. A pioneering lighting designer for concerts, television, and theater as well as a professor, lecturer, author, and mentor, Moody had an amazing and varied career that influenced many throughout the live entertainment industry.

In Memoriam: James Moody, Designer, Author, Teacher, Mentor, 80

Designer James L. Moody died on Monday, February 20, 2023, at the age of 80. Lighting Designer for theater, concerts, and television as well as professor, lecturer, author, and mentor, Moody had an amazing and varied career.

We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues on his passing. His daughter Kimberly posted on Facebook, saying “For friends and family who knew him and would like to celebrate his life there will be two ceremonies, one at his Buddhist temple in Los Angeles and the other with the United States Coast Guard in Oxnard.” PLSN will share those details when we get them.Read More »In Memoriam: James Moody, Designer, Author, Teacher, Mentor, 80

3rd International Drone Show Competition Winners Announced

The 3rd International Drone Show Competition, initiated by SPH Engineering’s Drone Show Software (DSS) team, announced its results. Participants from 31 countries competed for the right to get to the final and become the winner in one of five categories. Applications from drone show operators, event companies, firework enthusiasts, 3D animators, and other professionals involved in the drone show industry were evaluated by an international jury, composed of representatives of the media industry, drone enterprises, creative and design agencies, experienced high-tech entrepreneurs, etc. PLSN Editor, Michael S. Eddy was one of the judges for the 3rd International Drone Show Competition.

Read More »3rd International Drone Show Competition Winners Announced

Parnelli Awards Nominations Close This Friday, Dec. 16th. Don’t Miss Your Last Chance to Nominate!

Nominations are coming to a close 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. The deadline for Parnelli nominations is Dec. 16, 2022, 5 p.m. PST. Anyone can now nominate live event professionals and companies who exemplify the best of the best in our industry for a prestigious Parnelli Award.

Parnelli Awards Nominations Continue

Nominations are now being accepted 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. Anyone can now nominate live event professionals and companies who exemplify the best of the best in our industry for a prestigious Parnelli Award. The deadline for Parnelli nominations is Dec. 16, 2022, 5 p.m. PST.

Editors’ Notes

PLSN Co-Editors Michael S. Eddy and Debi Moen share their thoughts on the November 2022 issue of the magazine, which coincides with the LDI trade show in Las Vegas and the Parnelli Golf Tournament.