USITT 2011

Hey Russellmaniacs! It's The Russell Cage Experience coming from The Blake Hotel in Charlotte, NC! Since Wednesday my classmates and I have been at a technical theater conference here in NC called USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology). It is a Theatre technicians HEAVEN! They have classes/seminars/sessions for everything from lighting (which was what I hit the most) to costuming. Anything to doing with the backstage aspects of Theatre it was happening. During the conference they also  have a stage expo where you can walk around to various vendor booths, internship opportunities, & colleges. During the expo (mainly the first day) you get a lot of swag (free stuff) from the booths on the stage expo. I've got everything from a yo-yo, to gel books, to a frisbee at the product showcase which was held the first night. The conference is a great way to network and make connections within the Theatre industry and certainly a learning experience with the various sessions that they offer.


Like I said I hit a lot of the lighting sessions that they offered and if you're friends with me on Facebook you'll see a lot of the photos from some of these sessions and just overall the adventures around Charlotte, NC! There is even a video that I'm tagged in where I'm yo-yoing and playing a kazoo in front of the Bank of America Stadium & a giant panther statue! The lighting sessions that I have been to have been really helpful in showing various aspects of lighting techniques and designing lights for shows. I was able to talk to one of the vendors about how to light a dance recital and tips on what to do. The possibilities are endless as to what sort of connections you can make at this conference!


I'll hopefully be making a Vlog soon on You Tube talking more about USITT and how you can get involved. With this being the last night of the conference I guess I can promote the fact that next year USITT will be in Long Beach, California! I would love to go to it BUT my main issue would be getting enough money together to be able to go. No doubts hotels and food would be expensive because 1. It's California and 2. It's MUCH further away from home! I also will be working on making video compilations of our time here at the USITT conference that I plan to post on You Tube as well! I hope this gets you guys as excited about USITT as I am! If you want more info check out the USITT website go to http://www.usitt.org/