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‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga’ Takes a Tour Bus Ride Without Leaving the Stage

When the production team of the Hulu series’ “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” had an episode that took place primarily on a tour bus, they brought Carstage, an In-Camera Virtual Effects (ICVFX) specialist, onboard. While dealing with ICVFX for such a large vehicle like a bus may seem daunting, it was something Carstage had already tackled. They also got a big assist from Nationwide Video’s Secaucus, NJ location, which was just a five-minute drive from the filming stage.

ODESZA: ‘The Last Goodbye Tour’

Electronic music with live music from drumline and horn sections produces a unique acoustic and visually arresting live musical experience for ODESZA’s audiences. Co-Creative Directors Luke Tanaka and Sean Kusanagi along with Lighting Designer Kyle Kegan have been working with the band and PM Shane Crowl to ensure the visual design reinforces the dynamic performance on tour and at festivals during “The Last Goodbye Tour.”

Maggie Rogers: ‘The Feral Joy Tour’

Maggie Rogers, the Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist, is touring with Lighting Designers Dan Hadley & Tess Falcone and Lighting Director Ali “Blue” Allison. Along the way, they talked to PLSN about working with the artist for “The Feral Joy Tour” and how the design supports the artist.

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.

Robe Up All Night with Black Coffee at Zamna Festival

Photo by Kristian Suárez

The beauty, magic, and history of Mexican Caribbean indigenous cultures blended with superlative dance beats as the rhythm and free spirit of rave sent a rush of positive energy and human experience coursing through the 2023 Zamna Festival in Tulum. The stunning eye-catching jungle venue surrounded by nature reserves and sacred cenotes, provided a perfect setting for this iconic Mecca-of-music event, and into this dreamscape reality stepped Lighting Designer Eran Klein, working with artist Black Coffee on the Island Stage.Read More »Robe Up All Night with Black Coffee at Zamna Festival

Creative Conners: Smart Chain Hoists | Programmable CM Hoists with Stagehand Control

Chain Hoists are the workhorses of entertainment rigging. Pair a Creative Conners’ Smart Hoist with the company’s Stagehand control and Spikemark software to unleash their full potential: 100 fpm, variable speed, and programmable positioning. Here’s a video overview of Smart Chain Hoists from Creative Conners:

Read More »Creative Conners: Smart Chain Hoists | Programmable CM Hoists with Stagehand Control

Chaparral High School in Killeen, TX Installs Vari-Lite Luminaires to Enhance Professional Learning

The new lighting systems includes a Neo and Vision.Net control system, VL800, Acclaim LED and Coda LED fixtures, and Aurora LED Strips. Photo by Cindy Roberts

Chaparral High School in Killeen, TX opened its doors in August 2022 with a state-of-the-art performing arts wing designed to elevate student learning. It is equipped with an array of luminaires from Vari-Lite including a Neo and Vision.Net control system, VL800, Acclaim LED and Coda LED fixtures, and Aurora LED Strips.Read More »Chaparral High School in Killeen, TX Installs Vari-Lite Luminaires to Enhance Professional Learning

Top Tours of 2022

“Billboard” magazine recently ranked tours around the world by total ticket sales from November 2021 through October 2022. The Showtime section within PLSN’s January 2023 issue focuses on the lighting, staging and video production teams and equipment supporting these tours.