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.
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.
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.
Find out who’s working on what projects as Debi Moen shares the scope on SZA’s S.O.S., Hayley Kiyoko, Brit Floyd, Billy Idol, and the CMT Music Awards in Austin, among other gigs.
Taking place after a sun-drenched April Fools Day that followed a surprise late-winter blizzard, the memorial service for Richard (a.k.a. Rick, a.k.a. Nook) Schoenfeld, packed the third floor event space above Brit’s Pub in Minneapolis with family, friends, and colleagues gathered to celebrate the former editor of PLSN’s life.Read More »Remembering Nook: Family, Friends, and Colleagues Gather for a Celebration of Life in Minneapolis
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
I want to make sure that the lighting is as good as it can affordably look. I want to make sure that every music change gets the attention that it deserves. I want to explore different looks and see what fits best…
Let your voice be heard! Please join us in making the determination of who is deserving of the industry’s highest honor: a Parnelli Award. Please note that voting closes this Friday, March 17, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. (PST).
Take a few moments to cast your vote for this year’s Parnelli Awards. Only current subscribers to Projection, Lights & Staging News and FRONT of HOUSE magazine are eligible to vote. Make a difference and be a part of the process in determining this year’s winners.Read More »Voting Ends This Friday (3/17) for the 21st Annual Parnelli Awards!
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
Lighting and Production Designer Patrick Brannon talks about his approach to design, including for country superstar, and Grammy Award-winner Tim McGraw: “I like to just… Read More »Incorporating All You Learn in Your Design
Two Sundays in a row PRG supported two major music events with global audiences, The 65th Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show. They shared with us the lighting teams and the gear that realized the two designs.
In the February PLSN issue, Chris Lose wrote of advice he got from Nook Schoenfeld when Lose took over the LD-at-Large column. Here’s an excerpt from that column on being inspired by everything around you.