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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).

Theater Books to Consider

A look at some noteworthy books, including ‘The Production Manager’s Toolkit Second Edition,’ by Cary Gillett and Jay Sheehan; ‘The Projection Designer’s Toolkit,’ by Jeromy Hopgood; ‘Bloody Brilliant: How to Develop, Execute, and Clean Up Blood Effects for Live Performance,’ by Jennifer McClure; ‘Off Headset: Essays on Stage Management Work, Life, and Career,’ edited by Rafael Jaen and Christopher Sadler; ‘The Assistant Lighting Designer’s Toolkit,’ by Anne E. McMills; and ‘The Scenic Charge Artist’s Toolkit: Tips, Templates, and Techniques for Planning and Running a Successful Paint Shop in the Theatre and Performing Arts,’ by Jennifer Rose Ivey.

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.

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

Actors’ Equity Association Issues Request For Proposal For Name Change And Rebranding Process

Actors’ Equity Association, the national union representing more than 51,000 professional stage managers and actors working in live theatre, recently issued a request for proposal (RFP) to guide stakeholders through a process of determining a potential new name for the union, as well as for implementing a possible name change and rebranding. The goal of a name change is to create an identity for the union inclusive of all its members, which includes not only actors but also stage managers as well as other kinds of performers.Read More »Actors’ Equity Association Issues Request For Proposal For Name Change And Rebranding Process

Ecom Events Adds to the Enchantment of Fiers à Cheval with CHAUVET Professional

“We think of our creations as an invitation to dream,” Jean-Baptiste Duperray, founder and artistic director of La Compagnie des Quidams has said. This invitation was eagerly accepted recently by all who visited the historic Château des ducs de Bretagne on the banks of the Loire to see the talented street art group’s “Fiers à Cheval” performance.  There, as the show’s large, self-lit inflatable horses floated in the air, flowing in harmony with metamorphic human artists,  the imagination of spectators took flight.  Read More »Ecom Events Adds to the Enchantment of Fiers à Cheval with CHAUVET Professional

Karol G $trip Love Tour

The Latin Grammy winning artist, Colombian singer and songwriter Karol G, has been wowing her fans with her “$trip Love Tour” in 2022. PLSN got all the details of the visually stunning show speaking with the tour design team—Creative Director and Show Designer Travis Shirley of Blank Wall Creative, Lighting Designer/Programmer Chris Smith, and Lighting Director Ryan King.

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.

Curating The Making of a Broadway Show Exhibit

The Museum of Broadway, an immersive and interactive theatrical experience, has opened in New York City’s theater district. The Making of a Broadway Show exhibit was designed by Scenic Designer and Architect David Rockwell with Faye Armon-Troncoso serving as Set Decorator & Prop Supervisor. She spoke with Stage Directions in PLSN about her work in support of this thoughtful and deep diving look at the many people, roles and elements that bring a Broadway show to the stage. Featuring the work of dozens of designers, theater artists, and historians, the museum’s exploration of the past, present, and future of Broadway is receiving standing ovations from visitors.

The New Stage Managers’ Association Foundation has been Launched

Last night, Monday October 24, 2022, at The Stage Managers’ Association 2022 Del Hughes Awards for Lifetime Achievement, Elynmarie Kazle (past chair of the SMA) announced the creation of a new organization – the Stage Managers’ Association Foundation. The SMA’s Del Hughes Awards were held at the National Opera Center’s Marc A. Scorca Hall in NYC.Read More »The New Stage Managers’ Association Foundation has been Launched

TCG Announces RECOGNIZE Grantees for THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color

$900,000 in General Operating Support Awarded to 22 Theatres

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) is pleased to announce the recipients of RECOGNIZE grants as part of the THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color program. With $1,635,000 in support from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF), TCG is working in partnership with an Advisory Circle of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC*) to provide unrestricted funds for Black theatres, Indigenous theatres and Theatres of Color (BITOC*) based in the U.S. (including Tribal Nations and U.S. Territories). In this inaugural round of the program, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation has joined as a supporting partner for theatres in Western states. TCG is looking to partner with additional funders to further augment the reach and impact of the THRIVE! program and interested parties should contact LaTeshia Ellerson for more information.Read More »TCG Announces RECOGNIZE Grantees for THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color