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Bidding Adieu to ‘Phantom’ on Broadway

For LD Andrew Bridge, the final April 16 production of Broadway’s “The Phantom of the Opera” after a 35-year run was particularly poignant. “The opulence and the way it is choreographed on stage, the scene changes and all that, we will miss that. There aren’t many shows that can do that now. We have something like 150 people working each performance. You can’t do Broadway shows today with that size crew, cast and a 27-piece orchestra, it’s just not viable. So, I think we’ll all miss the opulence of that kind of Broadway show.”

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.

Bringing Down the Chandelier on Broadway’s ‘The Phantom of the Opera’

Broadway’s longest running show in history, The Phantom of the Opera, takes its final bows and will go dark, closing in mid-April. PLSN speaks with some of the creative and production team who have been with the show since the beginning 35 years ago. Sharing their thoughts are Lighting Designer Andrew Bridge, Associate LD Vivien Leone, Head Electrician Alan Lampel. We also talk with Gary Fails about the fog system, which is integral to the overall impact of the show.

T11 Profiles Join T1s and T2s at the Opera National de Paris

The Paris Opera has ordered nearly 300 x Robe T11 Profile and T11 PCs. Palais Garnier photo courtesy Robe France

As part an inventory renewal of static profile luminaires, the Paris Opera has ordered nearly 300 Robe T11 Profile and T11 PCs, which will join the 200 T1 and T2 Profiles already in place at the primary opera and ballet company of France. All the fixtures are supplied via Alterlite, and like the T1 and T2 moving heads, the T11s will be distributed between the Opera’s two landmark venues in the French capital, Palais Garnier and Opéra Bastille.Read More »T11 Profiles Join T1s and T2s at the Opera National de Paris

Elynmarie Kazle Honored with the USITT Joel E. Rubin Founders Award at USITT23

At the USITT 23 Conference in St. Louis, USITT honored Elynmarie Kazle with The Joel E. Rubin Founder’s Award, which is presented to a USITT member in recognition of outstanding and continued service to the Institute. This award was named in honor of Dr. Joel E. Rubin, co-founder and the second president of the Institute. Given to USITT members in recognition of extraordinary and continued service to the Institute, the award is presented as an important highlight of the Annual Conference & Stage Expo.Read More »Elynmarie Kazle Honored with the USITT Joel E. Rubin Founders Award at USITT23

Applications Open for 2023 ETC Fred Foster Student Mentorship Program

ETC is now accepting applications for the 2023 Fred Foster Student Mentorship Program. Entering its 25th year, this program connects selected students with established industry professionals, ultimately pairing them with mentors who will help guide their transition into the working world. ETC will accept applications to the 2023 program through April 7, 2023. Read More »Applications Open for 2023 ETC Fred Foster Student Mentorship Program