It has been over two years since our last podcast and a lot has happened since. While we don't dive completely into it right now, this is just a warm-up for what is coming up next.

We really thank you for being so patient.

We have a lot of kinks to work out before we get going in full. We'll be talking soon! We look forward to you listening.

Production Manager, Technical Director, Graduate Student, Ana Aguilera joins me in a brief conversation about some of the current topics happening in today's theater world.

 
The Theatre Art Life Podcast - 

Ana Aguilera - LinkedIn Profile

Questions, Comments, Suggestions -

Show Email - Archivett24@yahoo.com

Remember me when I am gone away,

Gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

You tell me of our future that you plann'd:

Only remember me; you understand

It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

And afterwards remember, do not grieve:

For if the darkness and corruption leave

A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad.

 -  Christina Rossetti (1830 - 1894)

News and Notes:

StageDirections.com - IATSE Endorses Joe Biden for President of the United States

WhatsOnStage.com - Derby Theatre: 'Theatres can be a key ally in regenerating communities'

TheStage.com - Supply companies: ‘We’re planning for the worst and hoping for the best’

The Guardian.com - 'Glimmer of hope': leading performers return to London's Wigmore Hall

Variety.com - ‘The Expendables’ Studios Nu Boyana in Bulgaria Re-Opens

USITT - Facebook 

  

ABY COHEN is a Scenographer and curator, working for theatre, cinema and exhibition. GOLDEN TRIGA awarded at Prague Quadrennial in 2011 for her exhibition and curatorial project for the Brazilian National Exhibition (Countries+ Regions Exhibition). Invited by the PQ2015 artistic director, Sodja Lotker, she became the first Brazilian PQ’ international curator, in 2015, for SHARED SPACE/ POLITICS. Under the role as PQ2015 curator, she created a special project, the occupation-installation-performance NO MAN’S LAND, at Prague Crossroads. Aby started working in the theatre, as a set designer, with director Antunes Filho in 1992. Since then she has developed projects in Brazil and abroad (USA, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Taiwan and Suriname). Curator and designer for the visual identity of ESPAÇO BRASIL, celebrating the Brazilian year in Portugal 2012/13. She received other important international awards, such as the IDCA - International Communication Design Awards in 2013, for the MAX-MIX BRASIL exhibition project, for Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam, 2012/2015. 

Her most recent projects are focused on the possibilities of creating, exhibiting and performing scenography: DESENHOS de CENA #1, SESC São Paulo/2016 and, DESENHOS de CENA #2: WSDesign Playground Project, Taiwan, 2017, DESENHOS de CENA #3: INTERSECTIONS – artistic residence performance project ongoing in Brazil, Wales and Scotland during 2018 and 2019. Ph.D. in Performance Design at ECA/USP, where she had been lecturing Performance Design for 2 years (2016-2018). Currently Head of MA Set and Costume Design at Fine Arts Faculty of Sao Paulo (Belas Artes). Former Vice-President of OISTAT 2013-2017 

www.abycohen.com

Sean Crowley has worked across the design spectrum in film, opera, theatre and television. He has been Wales’ most prolific theatre designer over the past 11 years, designing over 150 productions for companies across Wales, the UK and Europe. Sean became Head of Design at RWCMD in 1999 and is also the College’s Director of Drama.

Sean is the Chair of the Society of British Theatre Designers and was Project Leader for World Stage Design, held at the College in September 2013. He has been a member of the Linbury Prize committee since 2002, and was Chair of the Association of Theatre Design Courses UK for nine years.

In 2007, Sean was Project Leader and Co-Designer for the Prague Quadrennial Scenofest – an international festival of design and performance attracting some 30,000 visitors with over 5000 active participants. Sean was made an Honorary Fellow of the College in July 2007 and was appointed as an Associate Director at the Torch Theatre in 2010. In March 2011, he was the Exhibition Designer for the Society of British Theatre Designers national exhibition, Transformation & Revelation. As the Project Leader for World Stage Design 2013 he helped bring 13,000 exhibitors, practitioners and visitors to Cardiff.

Sean Crowley has worked across the design spectrum in film, opera, theatre and television. He has been Wales’ most prolific theatre designer over the past 11 years, designing over 150 productions for companies across Wales, the UK and Europe. Sean became Head of Design at RWCMD in 1999 and is also the College’s Director of Drama.

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama : https://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/

Society of British Theatre Designers : http://www.theatredesign.org.uk/about/sbtd-committee/

Here is part 2 of my series of interviews with many of the young designers who presented their work at the young designers forum this year at USITT.  You all did a fantastic job.  Your work is inspiring and I wish you nothing but the best.

Vanessa J Lopez - Costume Technician, Crafts Artisan / https://vanessajlopez.com/

Olivia Deluca - Lighting Designer / https://www.delucalighting.com/

Jeremy Smith - Scenic Designer / https://jeremysmithstudio.com/

Brandon Reed - Sound Designer / https://www.brandonreedsounddesign.com/

Becca Johnson - Scenic Designer / https://www.beccajohnsondesign.com/

Katy Fetrow - Designer /  https://www.katyfetrow.com/

Sasha Schwartz - Scenic Designer, Scenic Artist /  https://www.sashaschwartzscenic.com/

Madison Mclain - MakeUp, Fx Artist and Wig Maker / https://www.madisonmclain.com/

Jelena Andzic - Set Designer, Artist / https://www.jelenaandzic.com/ 

Alice Trent - Lighting & Projection Design /  https://www.alicetrentlighting.com/

Danielle Soldat - Costume Technician / https://www.daniellesoldat.com/

This is a series of short interviews with the young designers who brought their work to USITT and were part of the Young Designer Forum.

In this episode:

Erin Reed - Costume Designer / https://www.ereedcostumedesign.com/

Jenn Bobo - Prop Artisan & Scenic Designer / https://www.jbbdesigner.com/

Qier Luo - Lighting Designer / https://www.qierluo.com/

Izzy Hines - Scenic Designer / https://www.izzyhines.com

Natalie Kandra - Technical Direction & Scenic Carpentry 

Carolyn M Walker - Costume Technology & Shop Management / https://www.carolynmariewalker.com/

Talbot Jenkins - Costume Design / https://talbotjenkins.wixsite.com/talbotjenkins

Catie Blencowe - Lighting Design / https://www.cbdesignsltd.com/

Kelli Harod - Scenic Design / https://www.kelliharrod.com/

Aaron Curry - Lighting Designer / https://www.aaroncurrydesigns.com/

Thank you to everyone for participating.  

This episode was recorded form the main temple hall of the Scottish Rite Temple of Louisville, Kentucky.  I had the opportunity to come along with author and artist Wendy Rae Waszut-Barrett and watch her work documenting the various drops currently stored there.  I also had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Terry Bowman, Deputy of the Supreme Council in Kentucky, Lighting Technician Mr. Tom Irwin and finally Stagehand Mr. Stephen Lay.  

Recorded: Wednesday March 20, 2019.  

This episode of the podcast is a big thank you not only to the first 20 people I have interviewed but also to you the listener.  Its also a chance to catch you up with various events coming up in 2019.   Its also a chance to catch you up with various events coming up in 2019.  I also give some of my thoughts about what is going on in my head and what I hope we can do to make tomorrow better.   Events Coming Up: https://www.usittshow.com - USITT 2019 https://www.pq.cz - Prague Quadrennial https://www.stage-set-scenery.de/en/ - Stage | Set | Scenery Magazines: http://stage-directions.com/ - Stage Directions  http://plsn.com/ - PLSN - Projections Lighting and Staging News http://www.theatredesign.org.uk/publications/blue-pages/ - The Blue Pages https://www.usitt.org/tdt/ - TD&T - Theatre Design and Technology

Thank you to Stage Manager Kate Porter for her time  and conversation. At the time of this recording,  Kate was on tour in Edmonton, Alberta Canada 

Ms. Porter is a Graduate of Yale '02 and a former Stage Management Intern of the Steppenwolf Theater, Chicago, IL. 

She is currently a professional Stage Manager dividing her time between Theater and Opera.  She is also a member of the Canadian Actor'sEquity.

Katie begins calling Puccini's "La Boheme" for the Vancouver Opera in a few short weeks and will be teaching at the opera stage management program at Banff.

She is originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

  

GISELLE E. LANGTON 

Director, Stage Manager, Producer

Ms. Langton has produced Rick Abbot’s Play On! (1993), Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart (1993), Charles Busch’s The Lady In Question (1994). Athol Fugard’s “MASTER HAROLD” …and the boys (in association with J. Austin Forsyth and the Little Carib Theatre (1995), Dan Coggin’s Nunsense (1996), Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues (2002) and the award-winning production of Earl Warner’s MANTALK in association with MSJ Productions (2004). In a thirty-two year career, she has stage-managed countless presentations for drama, choral, steelband and dance companies in Trinidad. She has also worked on numerous film and television productions, including Asha Lovelace’s Joebelle and America. Ms. Langton has been Production Manager for The Callaloo Company, notably for the Carnival presentations of Picoplat and The Sacred Heart.

In 2007 she stage managed two back to back performances at Madison Square Garden for Machel Montano’s Rezzerek, designed and directed by Peter Minshall. She is the holder of six (6) Cacique Awards. In 2003, Ms. Langton made her directorial debut with Charles Busch’s Shanghai Moon. In 2009, she was the Production Stage Manager for Machel Montano’s first children’s alternative concert “Boy Boy and the Magic Drum” directed by Mervyn de Goeas.

She has served as an Executive member of the National Drama Association and, has been the Coordinator of the Cacique Awards Evaluators. Her television career began with Television Enterprises (TVE). For the television series Westwood Park, she has worked as Script/Continuity and 1st A.D.

Ms. Langton was also the Producer for the creative concept company, CedarHouse Company Limited. In 2011, she was the Stage Manager for Heather Headley’s concert “Home”, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts.

Ms. Langton directed David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Rabbit Hole” in November 2011, at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop for Proscenium Theatre.

She was Operations Manager, for the National Theatre Arts Company, from 2015 to 2016.

Ms. Langton, has been the Unit Coordinator, for the Stage Department at the Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts) Auditorium – NAPA, from 2012 to present.

Albert Laveau is the Artistic and Managing Director of the Trinidad Theatre Workshop. He joined the then young theatre company in 1962 where, over the years, he became one of the best-known actors in Trinidad, along-side performers such as Errol Jones, Stanley Marshall, Eunice Alleyne, Claude Reid and dozens of others who graced the Trinidad Theatre Workshop stage over the years. Among his acting credits are included leading roles in productions of “The First Born”, “Dark of the Moon”, “Moon for the Misbegotten” and “Tartuffe”. He is perhaps best-known on stage for his role as The Devil in Walcott’s “Ti-Jean and His Brothers”. Mr. Laveau also played principal roles in Walcott productions including “The Joker of Seville”, “Dream on Monkey Mountain”, “Henri Christophe”, and “The Sea at Dauphin” among others.

A top-notch director as well as actor, Mr. Laveau spent part of the 1970s acting and directing professionally in the United States, where he worked with Joe Papp at the Public Theatre, was a guest director at New York University’s MFA Programme, became a resident director with the Negro Ensemble and also played in their touring production of “The River Niger” by Richard Walker for a year. Despite his success abroad, Mr. Laveau saw his work as first and foremost the development of theatre here in his home of Trinidad and Tobago. He moved back home, and in 1989 was appointed to the position of Managing and Artistic Director of his home theatre company, where he was able to put into place two programmes which he feels passionately about and are still active today: the Theatre in Education Programme which brings staged productions of plays on CXC syllabi to school children to enhance their understanding of the texts and also expose them to theatre, and the School for the Arts, which has taught hundreds of students over the past quarter century, from as young as six to the elderly, in acting, directing, design, dance and more.

In his later career Mr. Laveau made appearances in several local feature films, including the 2001 “Mystic Masseur” and 2013 “God Loves the Fighter”.

To this day Mr. Laveau is active in the Trinidad Theatre Workshop, pushing forward and leading his team to continue ensuring that his vision continues to live on.

http://www.culture.gov.tt/our-mentors/albert-laveau/ - Biography

https://www.trinidadtheatreworkshop.com/ - Trinidad Theater Workshop

Born in South-Africa, raised in Israel, Maureen has lived in England, Australia and is now based in Brooklyn, NY. She studied Design for Performance at the Wimbledon College of Art in London. A finalist in the Linbury Prize for Stage Design, she gained practical experience in England and returned to Israel where she continued to work in diverse areas of performance including devised performance, movement and object theatre. Maureen was recognized for her design contribution to the production of "The House by the Lake" at the Acco Festival for Alternative Theatre - and which has since toured Europe and Canada - and received a Fringe First Golden Hedgehog Award for her work on a physical theatre piece "The Boat is Sinking".

She then accepted a scholarship from the University of Connecticut Design Tech program, and since moving to the US Maureen has collaborated on productions for theatre, opera, new writing and musicals crafting characters and storylines through the design of costumes and space. Work of hers has been presented in CT, MA, LV and in NYC at BAM, and Off Broadwy at 59e59 theatres, The Actor’s Temple and the Rattlestick Theatre. And in July this year Maureen was a fellowship to the NYFA Immigrant Artist Program.

Maureen has exhibited at the United States Institute for Technology (USITT), and twice at the Kennedy Center's American College Festival - both locally and in Washington D.C. - garnering the National Partners-American Theatre award and Stage Craft Institute Las Vegas award for excellence in Design technology.

Productions Maureen has designed for have been reviewed in several notable papers including The New York Times, Theatre World Publication and USITT Sightlines. And her dramaturgical process behind the scenic design of "Intimate Apparel" for the Connecticut Rep. has been reviewed and published in "A Companion to Lynn Nottage" (Routledge).
 

Working not only in scenic design, but costume design as well, Maureen was awarded the Zelma H. Weisfeld award for Costume Design and Technology, and was invited to join the US exhibitors of "Costume at the Turn of the Century" at the Bakhrushin Museum in Moscow. This exhibition has since toured the US, the World Stage Design Festival in Taiwan, China and Poland.

www.maureenfreedman.com

This show is brought you to by Archiving Technical Theatre History on Facebook

Questions, Comments Suggestions - 

- Show Email: archivett24@yahoo.com

President Obama - Commencement Speech 2020

News and Notes:

Variety.com - Shakespeare’s Globe Could Close Permanently Due to Coronavirus, U.K. Legislators Warn

StageDirections.Com - IATSE Hires Epidemiologists to Consult on Reopening Procedures

TheTheatreTimes.com - THE INTERNATIONAL ONLINE THEATRE FESTIVAL IS EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 31, ADDING ELEVEN NEW PRODUCTIONS

StageDirections.Com - National Theatre at Home Streams Barber Shop Chronicles for Free via YouTube May 14 – 21

Playbill.com - The Daily Distraction: Tina Fey and Jonathan Groff Are 2 Lovers in the Amish Night

USITT - Website / Facebook

OISTAT - Website

  

Welcome to this latest episode of the podcast. 

The guest this week is Mr. Jim Streeter 

James E. Streeter currently serves as the Production Manager for the Frist Campus Center Film and Performance Theatre at Princeton University. He was previously the Resident Lighting Designer/ Master Electrician for Princeton University's Program in Theater and Dance, where has designed the lighting for multiple productions including:

A Little Night Music,  Cabaret, Yankee Dawg You Die, The Vagina Monologues, The Crucible, The Duchess of Malfi, HAMLETMACHINE, Twelfth Night, The Maids, A Delicate Balance, Happy Days, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Seagull 

As well as  the premieres of student works such as A Test of Love, Chamber Music, Mixed Drinks, Invitation to the Blues, Utopia Parkway, Shadowman, The Tire Iron ( Beer, Pool and Darts), Joyce Carol Oates' Mother's Day Weekend, Of Beauty Born and T.S. Eliot's The Wasteland.

Jim has also designed lighting and visual effects for A Sacred Place, choreographed by Jacques D'amboise, Negotiations, choreographed by Ze’eva Cohen and Aleta Hayes, Chamber Pieces, with choreography by Ze’eva Cohen, Aleta Hayes and Jill Sigman. 

Other works include Resident Lighting Designer for the Body Hype Dance Company at Princeton University, Konvergence and Rosemary with Ginger for the Acting Studio, Inc. in New York City, The Sound of Music and Phantom for The Media Center for the Performing Arts, The Glass Menagerie (Set & Lighting Designer) and A Lifetime on the Streets for Trenton State College Theater, The Rothchilds for Bristol Riverside Theatre, Jungle Coup, Moby Dick and the American Premiere of The Graduate for Stageworks/Summit and the East Coast Premiere of Cynthia Lee Smith's The Night Spirit for the Aphre Behn Theatre Co. 

Jim is a graduate of the Center for Media Arts and studied lighting design at The Studio and Forum of Stage Design in New York City.

He is also a member of the USITT Board of Directors and a strong proponent of USITT’s Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Committee. This committee is responsible for supporting and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within USITT’s programs and projects and the Institute as a whole. 

This was a fantastic conversation on topics ranging from lighting practices and how they need to evolve both in teaching and perception, the recent 2018 Telegraph article written by reporter Patrick Sawer titled "Traditional theatre lighting and stage design discriminates against black and asian actors warns Shakespeare's Globe" and finally the merits of hiring someone based on their talent.

This is a must listen conversation for students of all backgrounds.  This is one you shouldn't miss.  

Without further ado, Mr. Jim Streeter.

  

Ms. Lea Nataf is a Metteur en scène (Director) / Comédienne (actress) at La Compagnie des Atsaras as well as Technicienne Lumière (light Technician) at Théâtre Garonne. She has also been a Marionnettiste  (Puppeteer) at Cie Artémisia .

Studied Théâtre - Mise en scène at Université Bordeaux-Montaigne and Formation Technicienne Lumiere  ( Lighting Technician) at CSCV in Toulouse, France

Originally from Bordeaux and currently living in Southern France, Lea has had many amazing journeys. We met in Prague 2015 while volunteering for the PQ event. While we were to stand in front of the DAMU café giving directions, answering questions and guiding people around the event, we did spend a great deal of time entertaining one another and bonding in many funny ways.    

I am so glad to have gotten to meet Lea and finally after so much time be able to see and speak with her again. I have missed hearing and seeing her laugh. 

The audio for this episode is a bit tricky at times. I have done what I can to clear most of it up however there will be points where the levels are a bit off and you will have to adjust your volume. This shouldn’t take away from your enjoyment. Thank you to Lea for her time and energy. I look forward to a return trip to France to see her and experience the amazing work she is up to now.  

Without further ado Ms. Lea Nataf

Umberto Di Nino is an Italian professional born to offer the best advice in the field of scenography, construction of image and communication for television, cinema, theater, advertising, fashion shows and events.

His strategy is to Increase the value of the product through a scenography of great impact.  Umberto has a skilled core European team that he works with as well as a large number of qualified freelancers, specially selected for each project.  He is flexible, reliable and precise.
and can offer you great solutions for your project (creativity, production, services).

"We are image builders.  Our know - how can be useful for you" 

• http://umbertodinino.blogspot.com/
• http://televisionnetworking.ning.com/profile/UmbertodiNino
• http://www.youtube.com/user/BiancaConsulting
  

Fiona trained with the Motley Theatre Design Course, London.

She is a freelance scenographer who enjoys exploring the relationship between existing architecture and the performance space, unlocking the hidden dynamics within traditional and non-traditional theatre spaces to find the strongest points of exchange between performer and audience.

In June 2011 she was one of six international artists commissioned to lead 'Six Acts', a site-specific interaction with the city of Prague for Scenofest at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space and in 2013 she co-curated the design-led performance programme for World Stage Design in Cardiff. In June 2015 she returned to the Quadrennial as curator for 'The View From Here', a new collaborative project between the Association of Courses in Theatre Design (ACTD) and the Society of British Theatre Designers (SBTD).

Fiona is Honorary Secretary of the Society of British Theatre Designers and UK Performance Design Commissioner for OISTAT (International Association of Scenographers Theatre Architects and Technicians).

She is currently involved in planning for the UK’s submission to the next Quadrennial which will take place in June 2019.

Be sure to check out:

http://www.theatredesign.org.uk/ - Society of British Theater Designers

http://www.fionawatt.com/ - Fiona Watt Professional Site

http://www.stagingplaces.co.uk/ - Staging Places

Chris Van Goethem started in 1983 as a technician in a rental company, like most technicians in that period. Before that he was active in school and youth theater. He became stage manager through training on the floor and self-study and toured with many companies throughout Europe.

He has worked for Théâtre de la Place Liège, De Warande Turnhout, Young Persons Theater (UK), Open Cloth, various festivals in Morocco, Squonk Opera Pitsburg (US), Theater aan Zee, Champs d'action, Cultuurmarkt Antwerp, Theater Stap , Preserve the Desire, Villanella, Kommil Foo and Raamtheater. Van Goethem expanded his field of activity with teaching and consultancy in the field of stage techniques. He advised among others the theater technique for the Augustine Church Antwerp, De Warande Turnhout, Flaget Brussels, De Zwarte Komedie, the abbey of Herkenrode and the cultural center Merelbeke. He also advised on the preparation of the professional profiles and standards of Podiumtechniek (SERV), the professional qualifications (AHOVOKS), safety policy, training policy (SFP) and the start-up of various TSO schools and VDAB programs. 

His specializations are lighting, production and special effects. He teaches the RITCS (EHB) podium department, Sabbattini Antwerp and Comedrama Oujda (Morocco), three courses he co-founded. He also gives courses for the Pianofabriek, Arteveldehogeschool, SFP, SADA and Accademia Teatro alla Scala. 

Van Goethem wrote "lighting technology for stage technicians" and regularly publishes in professional journals such as Proscenium, STEPP magazine, Die Vierte Wand, Zichtlijnen and Proscen.
He supervises the RITCS stage techniques students in their individual three-year research project. As part of the podium arts expertise center he examines the history of stage techniques, education and competence management, sustainability, and safety.
From his engagement he is involved in international projects such as theatrEurope, Scenofest Prague, Wakha-Wakha, European Social Dialogue, Scenart Romania, OISTAT Time Line Working Group, ETTE and creativeskillsEurope.

chris.van.goethem@ehb.be

Ms. Dias is a scenographer and photographer living, working and traveling in and around Europe. Originally from Brazil and now living in Spain, Flo has had an amazing journey not only capturing images from some of the recent theater events such as World Stage Design (Taipei, Taiwan), the Prague Quadrennial and Oistat50 in Cardiff, Wales but also of the everyday life. It was fantastic to catch up with her and to learn more about the woman behind the camera and where she would like to go next.

You check out her work at

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/flor_dias/
Flicker - https://www.flickr.com/people/flordias/
Flicker - https://www.flickr.com/photos/hanakosu
Tumblr - http://photoflor.tumblr.com/

This episode is dedicated to my friend Edwin Erminy.  

The theatre and arts community of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and the world lost an amazing artist tonight.

I lost my friend.

Edwin will always be a testament to the joy, excitement and passion for Scenography. His love of all things art was infectious.

I cannot capture all that his life entailed in a single post nor can I begin to find the right words because there will not be enough of them.

I have lost a mentor. Someone who helped make me a better person by being around him. Who helped show me the way to becoming a better teacher. Who would also make fun of me because I was the antithesis to his way of making a plan or a drawing. Edwin's favorite phrase to me was "Come on Man" or his over the top exclamation of "What?! What?!" and then break out into laughter.

I'm glad we challenged each other. The last thing I would ever want to do was fail him no matter how much of an argument we would get into. I will remember his patience even though most things drove him mad but he never let that get out or show unless necessary. I will think of how he made fun of me for being an American and how his english somehow conveniently got bad the more "tired" he became.

There will be no last moments for me because you will not be gone. In Buddhism it is said that a spirit is not extinguished upon death, but instead transfers to another in one of six planes. That a person’s actions during their lifetime results in karma that determines in what form there spirit will be reborn—as a human, an animal, or various forms of spirits, including angels, demons, gods, and ghosts.

You will return and I know you will come visit us.
I'll always be sure to keep an eye out for you.

"I have been and always shall be your friend"

  

Welcome to this first brand new episode of 2019. 

I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. 

The guest this week is Mr. David Boothman.

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, David attended Queen's Royal College and studied Art at the Pratt Institute in New York developing his skills as a painter.  He is also an accomplished Jazz pianist and composer.  David is the brother to artist and musicians Michael and Roger Boothman and nephew to contemporary painter,  designer and artist Boscoe Holder and voice actor, dancer, choreographer, singer, director and painter Geoffrey Holder. 

David is currently working with the University of Trinidad and Tobago’s Academy for the Performing Arts and I had the opportunity to speak with him at the end of the most recent school term. David has got some interesting ideas about the relationships we as people have to art and about how to find balance in one’s life.

Without further ado , Mr. David Boothman

Anne E. McMills’ career extends across the many facets of the lighting world—from theatre (including Broadway and the West End) to television and theme parks to architectural lighting, industrials, concerts, cruise ships, award shows, dance, and opera. In addition to designing her own work, Anne has assisted many Tony Award-winning Broadway designers, mounting productions throughout the world. Anne is a proud member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829, as well as the author of The Assistant Lighting Designer's Toolkit and 3D Printing Basics for Entertainment Design. She is also the Head of Lighting Design at San Diego State University. Recent work includes Noel Noel with the San Diego Symphony, All is Calm with the San Diego Opera, Sense and Sensibility with South Coast Rep, and Beachtown with the San Diego Rep. For further information, visit www.annemcmillslighting.com.

R.W. (Rick) Boychuk has been a student, teacher, technical director, IA stagehand, designer, inventor and an author. A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan in technical theatre, he has worked in the industry for over 40 years. ​Rick owns and operates Grid Well, Inc. in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that holds patents on the Front-Loading Arbor, and patents pending for the Arbor Trap and SuperArbor. Rick received two CITT awards in 2016: The Ron Epp Memorial Award for Professional Achievement in a technical discipline within the Canadian live performance industry; and The Award of Technical Merit for outstanding achievement in the use of theatre technology. www.counterwieghtrigging.com www.gridwellinc.com www.historicstageservices.com/index.html

This podcast has been sponsored by Archiving Technical Theater History on Facebook

Questions, Comments, Suggestions - 

- Show Email - archivett24@yahoo.com

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."

- Marie Curie - Physicist

News and Notes:

TheatreTimes.com - INTERNATIONAL ONLINE THEATRE FESTIVAL 2020. A GLIMPSE INTO THE PHYSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCES.

WhatsonStage.com - Sheffield Theatres to present outdoor performances of Shakespeare shows in 2020

StageDirections.com - in 1: the podcast – #98 Quarantine Happy Hour #6

Variety.com - Disney’s ‘Frozen’ Ends Broadway Run Due to Coronavirus

Playbill.com - Disney Theatrical Productions Reveals Next Steps for Hercules and The Jungle Book Musicals, Aida Revival, More

Playbill.com - Answering Your Questions About Convalescent Plasma Donation, COVID-19 Treatment Research, Antibody Testing and More

USITT - Facebook / Website

Peter Craig is a designer, technician and theater consultant here in Trinidad and Tobago. Enjoy the show!

This weeks podcast is not an interview. It is a replay of a lecture I attended at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The event I was attending was OISTAT50, a celebration and recognition of the 50th anniversary of OISTAT. Ms. Howard's speech is titled "A Touch on the Times" and speaks about her history in design and shares stories about some of the remarkable people she collaborated with. I captured the audio on my recorder so it may sound a little rough in places. There was a live audience in attendance so there is some background noise as well. Ms. Howard was gracious enough to allow me to bring this too you and I am deeply grateful. I look forward to having a sit-down interview with her in the future. In the meantime, enjoy the lecture and listen to one of the masters of art and design. www.pamelahoward.co.uk - Pamela Howard Website www.oistat.org - Oistat Homepage www.rwcmd.ac.uk/default.aspx - Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Wendy Waszut-Barrett specializes in the evaluation, restoration, and replication of painted scenes for the theatre, opera, ethnic hall, and Masonic stage. She is the President of Historic Stage Services, a researcher, a teacher and artist. Wendy holds a PhD from the University of Minnesota in Theatre. Blog: http://drypigment.net/ Business: http://www.historicstageservices.com/index.html Facebook: Dry Pigment, Historic Stage Services

Hanne Nuyttens is a sound engineer, artist, eco-warrior and traveler. Hanne spent a term here in Trinidad and Tobago studying and found the experience transformative. We spoke about her journey from Belgium to South America, the importance why more women are needed as mentors all over the world and why its okay to speak up and say you don't know something. Check it out.

Kerri Ann Chandler is an studio and live audio engineer, producer, musician, instructor and friend here in Trinidad and Tobago. Kerri is my first guest and I couldn't be happier to have her on.

This is the first of hopefully many episodes. Coming to you from the twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, this podcast is an extension of the Archiving Technical Theater History Facebook Group. It's not all about history. Come check it out and give it a listen. In this episode, its the origin story.

This show is sponsored by Archiving Technical Theater History on Facebook.  Bringing together the world to exchange, knowledge, experiences and the need for greater appreciation for the history of the people, places and items that have made the technical production arts. 

Questions, Comments, Suggestions -

-Show Archive: archivett24@yahoo.com

“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” “Success is never final; failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts.”  - Coach John Wooden

News and Notes:

TheGuardian.com - An industry in freefall: dance sector calls for urgent help

TheGuardian.com - 'We put on theatre no matter what': what will Australian stages look like post-pandemic?

The Guardian.com - Zoom with a view: how lockdown art classes are booming online

StageDirections.com - The Actors Fund Has Distributed over $10 Million of Financial Assistance

TheatreTimes.com - WIT AND WISDOM: “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING” AT THE DELACORTE THEATER

Playbill.com - Playbill Teams Up With Pride Plays for Multiple Live Stream Productions Throughout June

Playbill.com - Remembering Tony-Winning 'Golden Girl' Bea Arthur on Her 98th Birthday

USITT - website / facebook

USITT  / OISTAT Education Commission    - website / facebook

Sponsored by Archiving Technical Theater History on Facebook

Questions, Comments, Suggestions - 

- Show Email: archivett24@yahoo.com

"Somedays its just better to take the penalty than to argue with the referee." - RB  

News and Notes:

TheatreTimes.Com -SHAKESPEARE ON ZOOM: HOW A THEATRE GROUP IN ISOLATION CONJURED UP A “TEMPEST”

WhatsOnStage.com - People likelier to spend more money on cultural events after lockdown than less, YouGov poll finds

WhatsOnStage.com - WhatsOnStage announces the Lockdown Playwriting Prize

StageDirections.com - Metropolitan Opera Stage Manager Co-Authors Petition to Support Entertainment Industry Workers in the Worker Relief and Security Act

StageDirections.com - Next up on the Tech Table Webinar: KC Wilkerson Speaks with Projection Designer Aaron Rhyne

Oistat - Facebook / Website

USITT - Facebook / Website 

Show Sponsored by the Archiving Technical Theater History Facebook Group

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Show email:  archivett24@yahoo.com

“My wife's the reason anything gets done, she nudges me towards promise by degrees. She is a perfect symphony of one our son is her most beautiful reprise. We chase the melodies that seem to find us until they're finished songs and start to play. When senseless acts of tragedy remind us that nothing here is promised--not one day. This show is proof that history remembers. We live in times when hate and fear seem stronger. We rise and fall and light from dying embers--remembrances that hope and love last longer. And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside. I sing Vanessa's symphony. Eliza tells her story. Now, fill the world with music, love, and pride.”
― Lin-Manuel Miranda

News and Notes:

WhatsOnStage.com - Hamilton Broadway recording to be released on 3 July 2020 on Disney

WhatsOnStage.com - New week of performers giving live concerts from home announced

The Guardian.com - Hottest front-room seats: the best theatre and dance to watch online

Playbill.com - Broadway League's Charlotte St. Martin, Roundabout and Lincoln Center Heads, More on Advisory Council to Reopen NYC's Culture Sector

Playbill.com - Broadway Shutdown Extended Through the Summer Due to Ongoing Coronavirus Crisis

CITT / ICTS - Facebook / Relaunching arts and culture in the aftermath of COVID-19

USITT - Facebook / Website

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Show Email - archivett24@yahoo.com

“You must strive to find your own voice because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all.” - 

Robin Williams as John Keating in Dead Poet's Society

News and Notes:

Variety.com: U.K. Cinemas Won’t Reopen Sooner Than July 4, Government Confirms

Variety.com: Rachel Khoo, Gok Wan Shows Among New Discovery Series to Be Filmed at Home

Stage Directions.com: UNCSA’s Brett Sellitti Wins USITT’s Richard Hay Undergraduate Scene Design Award

Stage Directions.com: The Event Safety Alliance Releases Guidance to Assist Event Professionals Reopening During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Playbill.com: Regent’s Park Open Air Season Postponed to 2021

USITT - Facebook / Website

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

show email - archivett24@yahoo.com

Mother's Day Poem By Maya Angelou - “MOTHER, A CRADLE TO HOLD ME” 

News and Notes:

Variety.com - Unconventional Mom Movies to Watch on an Unconventional Mother’s Day

Playbill.com - Theatre Community Comes Together May 10 for Broadway Does Mother's Day

WhatsOnStage.com - 10 West End musicals to watch now on BroadwayHD

USITT.com - Website

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Show Email - archivett24@yahoo.com

“Today it may seem hard we can’t mark this special anniversary as we would wish. Instead we remember from our homes and doorsteps. But our streets are not empty. They are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other.”

HRH - Queen Elizabeth

News and Notes:

Variety.Com - Queen Elizabeth Addresses U.K. in Rousing VE Day Speech

TheatreTimes.com - POLISH SHAKESPEARE ONLINE: MAJA KLECZEWSKA’S “MACBETH”

StageDirections.com - The Guthrie Theater Pushes Opening to March 2021 and a Truncated Three Show Season

Reuters.com - Musicals out, one-man plays in: Broadway gets creative waiting for show to go on

WhatsOnStage.com - Watch Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical By Jeeves right here for free all weekend

Playbill.com - Upcoming Cast Recordings

Playbill.com - Playbill Vault's Today in Theatre History: May 9

OISTAT Lighting Design Working Group - Facebook

USITT - Facebook / Website

Questions, Comments, Suggestions 

Show Email - archivett24@yahoo.com

Little by little the look of the country changes because of the men we admire. You're just going to have to make up your own mind one day about what's right and wrong.    - Homer Bannon ( HUD 1963)

Variety.com - Will the Tonys Be Canceled? Broadway’s Biggest Night Might Not Happen in 2020

WhatsOnStage - Streaming has created the best free festival in history – but theatre needs donations to keep the show on the road

Playbill.com - National Theatre to Release Streams of A Streetcar Named Desire Starring Gillian Anderson, Coriolanus, More

Playbill.com - Lin-Manuel Miranda Launches Campaign Supporting Immigrant Communities Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

USITT - Facebook / Website

Thoughts on mental well being and being in the arts.  

Simone Biles withdraws from Olympics - Espn.com

Questions, Comments, Suggestions - 

Show Email - archivett24@yahoo.com

"If you don't find the time, if you don't do the work, you don't get the results" - Arnold Schwarzenegger

News and Notes:

Variety.Com - Exhibitors Facing Challenges as Some German States Reopen Cinemas

Variety.Com - Norway’s Cinemas Can Reopen, but for Many It’s Too Soon

WhatsOnStage.com - Trafalgar Entertainment acquires Theatre Royal Sydney

WhatsOnStage.com - Yard Theatre announces Animal Crossing performance as part of free digital festival

Playbill.com - NYC's Shetler Studios Closes Its Doors After 30 Years

Playbill.com - Broadway Dreams Launches Virtual Training Intensives

USITT - Facebook

Questions, Comments, Suggestions - 

Show email - archivett24@yahoo.com

“I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me, too.  Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it’s true I’m here, and I’m just as strange as you.”  – Frida Kahlo

News and Notes

TheatreTimes.com - HOW TO SUPPORT THE ARTS DURING A PANDEMIC

Variety Online - U.K. Casting Directors’ Guild Calls on Film, TV Industries to Safeguard Theater

WhatsOnStage - Complicité's The Encounter starring Simon McBurney to be streamed for free online

StageDirections - in 1: the podcast – #97 Quarantine Happy Hour #5

Playbill.com - Michael R. Jackson's A Strange Loop Wins 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

USITT - Facebook / Website

ATTH - Archiving Technical Theater History

Canon Timeline of Theatrical History - Website

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Show email - archivett24@yahoo.com

“When Gone Am I, The Last Of The Jedi Will You Be. The Force Runs Strong In Your Family. Pass On What You Have Learned.” 

"Do or Do not.  There is no try"

-Master Yoda

News and Notes:

TheatreTimes.com - “GATORS” AT TRAMP PRODUCTIONS

TheatreTimes.com - “BEAUTY & THE BEAST:” CHILDREN’S STORY, A UNIVERSAL MESSAGE

WhatsOnStage - Theatre News

Playbill.com - Playbill Vault's Today in Theatre History: May 4

USITT - Facebook

Questions, Comments, Suggestions - 

Show Email - archivett24@yahoo.com

Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. 

-Desmond Tutu

News and Notes:

TheatreTimes.com - LOCKDOWN: A TESTING TIME FOR SURABHI THEATRE ARTISTES IN HYDERABAD

TheatreTimes.com - A THEATRE PROJECT EXPLORES COLLECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO SAVING THE OCEAN

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama - Radio Atmospheres 2020 Blog / Facebook

Society of British Theatre Designers - Facebook

Timeout.com - PBS is now streaming plays from its Great Performances series for free

Timeout.com - The 50 best plays of all time

WhatsOnStage.Com - Seven Disney films that belong on stage

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Show Email: archivett24@yahoo.com

If you want to make a difference in the lives of the people you lead, you must be willing to walk alongside them, to lift and encourage them, to share moments of understanding with them, and to spend time with them, not just shout down at them from on high. 

-Tony Dungy

News and Notes

TheatreTimes.Com - “WISE CHILDREN” AT YORK THEATRE ROYAL

Stage Directions Magazine - Shure Webinar: History of the Unidyne 55 Microphone

Playbill.com - This day in Theatre History

Oistat Lighting Design Working Group - Facebook

WhatsOnStage.com - Stage shows, musicals and opera you can watch online now for free

Questions, Comments, Suggestions.

Show Email - archivett24@yahoo.com

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
― Nelson Mandela

News and Notes:

TheatreTimes.com - “DE LEGE ZAAL: BROKEN SHAPES” – RIMAH JABR AND DAREEN ABBAS / MOUSSEM

TheatreTimes.com - DRINK FROM THE WELL OF YOURSELF: “PLAY IN YOUR BATHTUB” AS QUARANTINE COMFORT THEATRE

TheatreTimes.com - TRY AGAIN. FAIL AGAIN. FAIL BETTER.

USITT- Facebook   /  Website

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Show email - archivett24@yahoo.com

“There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. There's only us. There's only this. Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other road. No other way. No day but today. I can't control my destiny. I trust my soul, my only goal is just to be. There's only now, there's only here. Give into love, or live in fear. No other course, no other way.
No day but today”

- Johnathon Larson (Playwright of the Musical "Rent")

News and Notes:

TheatreTimes.com - CULTURE MATTERS: LLUÍS PASQUAL, PEDRO ALMODÓVAR AND SPAIN’S CULTURAL SECTOR RESPOND TO THE SEEMING INDIFFERENCE OF THE COUNTRY’S MINISTER OF CULTURE

StageDirections.com - Live Streamed Webinar, Tech Table hosted by KC Wilkerson Premieres May 2, 2020 with Natasha Katz

StageDirections.com - A talk with BroadwayHD founders Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane

Playbill.com - Theatre Community Bands Together to Help Children Affected by COVID-19 With The Homebound Project

Playbill.com - Celebrate Jonathan Larson's Rent With These 10 Iconic Quotes

USITT - Facebook / Website

Archiving Technical Theater History -  Facebook group

Questions, Comments, Suggestions - 

Show Email - archivett24@yahoo.com

“What’s the secret of success? Right decisions. How do you make right decisions? Experience. How do you get experience? Wrong decisions.” 

– John Wayne

News and Notes -

Theatre Times - “ISOLATION” BY THE UNKNOWN PEN

Theatre Times - "ALEXANDRIAN ARTIST DANCES DURING QUARANTINE IN EMPTY PUBLIC SPACES"

Theatre Times - MUSICALS DOMINATING TEHRAN’S THEATERS: THE BOX OFFICE’S POPULAR TREND

USITT - Facebook / Website

Stage Directions - Backstage@Home: Antique Letter Writing with Props

Stage Directions - The Winchester Little Theatre Miniature Prop Room: An Eye for Detail

Questions, Comments, Suggestions - 

Show email - archivett24@yahoo.com

"A wise bear always keeps a marmalade sandwich in his hat in case of emergency."

Paddington Bear

News and Notes

The Guardian - 'Theatre kept my mind so activated': the existential crisis of Sydney's 'standing ovation man'

WhatsOnStage - A theatre in Massachusetts is planning to re-open this August with strict social distancing measures and solo shows

WhatsOnStage - Rose Theatre Kingston launches poetry reading series featuring Christopher Eccleston, Angellica Bell and more

Playbill.com - Opera Philadelphia to Stream Its World Premiere Productions of Breaking the Waves, Denis & Katya, More

Playbill.com - 16 Theatre-Related Online Resources for Kids and Families to Get You Through COVID-19

Stage Directions Magazine - National Theatre at Home: Next up, Frankenstein Streaming for Free

Stage Directions - Facebook

USITT Facebook - Facebook

Questions, Comments, Suggestions - 

Show email - archivett24@yahoo.com

“There are always and only two trains running. There is life and there is death. Each of us rides them both. To live life with dignity, to celebrate and accept responsibility for your presence in the world is all that can be asked of anyone.”

— August Wilson

News and Notes

Passing of Tony Hall - Trinidad Theatre Workshop

Theatre Times - THEATRE DURING SELF-ISOLATION: DANGER AS OPPORTUNITY

WhatsOnStage - English National Opera to hold drive-in performances at Alexandra Palace

WhatsOnStage - Watch the Bring It On UK and Ireland tour cast rehearse in isolation

Playbill.com - Watch: Celebrating 50 Years of Company

The Guardian - Hottest front-room seats: the best theatre and dance to watch online

The Guardian - 'It felt like shutdown took my future': 50 creatives launch online dramas

USITT - USITT Facebook

"Why We Should Avoid Becoming “the Voice of the Voiceless”

https://inclusivus.org/inpowered-perspectives/2017/3/8/why-we-should-avoid-becoming-the-voice-of-the-voiceless

YOU DON’T! HAVE TO ENDURE IT - 

NE!MUSÍŠ TO VYDRŽET - in Czech Performance

European Theatre Convention Article - Click to read Article