USITT Kicks Off 2015 Conference & Stage Expo in Cincinnati

USITT's 55th Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Cincinnati this week is already its biggest ever, and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology is still announcing added attractions to USITT 2015.

The show, which runs today, March 18-21 at the Duke Energy Convention Center, is expected to draw over 5,000 entertainment technology professionals, with over 280 exhibitors demonstrating lights, audio, special effects, automation, flying technology, costumes and makeup, and more than 275 educational sessions and activities.

Three international artists are coming to present their work:

Japanese master mask-maker Hideta Kitazawa, one of the last wood mask carvers in Tokyo, will discuss the history, art, and techniques of Noh mask-making 2 to 5 p.m. Sat., March 21.

Lighting Designer Xochitl Gonzalez Quintanilla of Mexico, winner of the 2013 World Stage Design award for outstanding lighting design, will present examples of her work at 9:30 a.m. Thurs., March 19.

French scenographer and technical director Jean-Guy LeCat will present a session on "theatre squatting," about artists around the world using neglected spaces as theatrical settings, at 1 p.m. Thurs., March 19.

The USITT Innovation Stage at Stage Expo also is adding educational content. The stage is where industry leaders unveil new technologies, and the 2015 lineup includes Griffin Pro 3D Printers, RC4 Wireless DMX, Wenger's Transcend Active Acoustic System, PRG's ReNEW LED Retrofit lighting assembly, the Enttec Pixielator, and Ushio's new F8 LED Fresnel low-profile, low-energy spotlight.

For the first time this year, Innovation Stage also will host three training sessions on important stagecraft topics. The Next Generation of Media Servers, exploring the most cutting-edge technology in entertainment, will be held 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thurs., March 19. Capturing Creativity with Technology, on techniques for digital documentation of staging and choreography, will be 2:45 to 4 p.m. the same day. At 2:45 p.m. Friday, March 20, DPA Microphones presents Microphone Placement for Optimal Benefit.

Also brand new, the Resume Doctor, a popular USITT session that usually has lines out the door, is now a booth that will be open for the entire Expo March 19-21. Booth 919, will be staffed with four theatre tech professionals at a time, so anyone needing help with a resume can consult the Resume Doctor.

"USITT has a mission of providing learning experiences, services, and activities to our backstage community," said USITT Executive Director David Grindle. "We are working to accomplish that year-round, and right up to the last minute of our biggest annual event."

Information on these and other USITT 2015 events can be found at www.usittshow.org. For more on USITT and its year-round service to performing arts and live entertainment design and technology, visit www.usitt.org.

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