TECHnically Speaking

On this week's episode of TECHnically Speaking, father and son team Tyler and John DeLong of DeLong Rigging Solutions return to the podcast to talk about their newest offering — One Shot Training.

This new training program offers easily digestible, educational rigging safety videos for free! Hear all about the program and how Tyler and John are continuing to grow their pandemic-born company.

Links discussed in today's episode:

DeLong Rigging Solutions: www.delongriggingsolutions.com/

One Shot Training: www.delongriggingsolutions.com/one-shot-training/

The Basics: www.delongriggingsolutions.com/shop/

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

Today we’re continuing our 2021 YDMT Award Winner podcast series with costume designer Erin Barnett. Erin is this recipient of the 2021 Zelma H. Weisfeld Costume Design & Technology Award and is currently a third-year MFA Costume Design student at Indiana University. She graduated from Furman University in 2016 with a B.A. in Theatre Arts and Economics, and since then has worked as a costume designer and technician with Triad Stage, Jenny Wiley Theatre, GLOW Lyric Theatre, and Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre.

If you’d like to keep up with Erin and her work, you can visit her website at www.erin-barnett.com.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

Today we’re kicking off our 2021 YDMT Award Winner podcast series with USITT Scene Design Award Sponsored by Rose Brand Winner, Christian Fleming. Christian is a freelance scenic and costume designer based in Manhattan. He holds an MFA in Scenic Design from Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama and recently had his work showcased at Design Showcase West at UCLA.

If you’d like to keep up with Christian and his work, you can visit his website at christianfleming.design.

For the first time ever, the ASTC - USITT Venue Renovation Challenge will be presented live online, which has proven to be quite a new experience for the challenge — and the industry.

On this week's episode, we chatted with President and Senior Consultant for Jones - Phillips Associates, LLC and USITT Fellow Van Phillips; and Auerbach Pollock Friedlander Associate Principal, Howard Glickman. Both Glickman and Phillips are longtime members of USITT and ASTC and have played large roles in the ASTC-USITT Renovation Challenge over the years.

We discussed this year's renovation challenge and its intricacies, the importance of theatre consultant representation, and a few brand-new initiatives coming to the industry!

The 2021 ASTC-USITT Venue Renovation Challenge will be presented live online Friday, April 9, 2021 at 2 p.m. EDT. Tune in here to see the presentations and awards.

View the Renovation Challenge on April 9, by going to https://youtu.be/_TBlEbwzq_0

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

USITT21 is only 3 days away and we can’t wait to see you all virtually! 

On this week's special edition episode, we asked a few our USITT21 sponsors tell you all about their companies, booths, and what you can expect to see from them on the virtual Expo floor.

We want to extend a thank you to all of our USITT21 sponsors for helping to make this year's event a reality!

If you have not yet registered for USITT21, you can do so by going to usitt.org/registration! 

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

This week we sat down with our National Office Staff to discuss all things USITT21 Virtually Anywhere! Director of Education & Training, Christine Troscher; Sales Manager, Cody Hann; and Conference Planner Jody Harris gave the inside scoop on sessions, entertainment, education, and our virtual Stage Expo.

To register for USITT21, go to usitt.org/registration.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

Our newest episode of TECHnically Speaking features North Carolina-based lighting designer Jenni Propst.

Jenni has worked as a production manager, head electrician, and event manager for clients ranging from non-profit groups to large corporate events, national tours, and even NASCAR.

She has toured domestically and internationally as a head electrician and lighting supervisor with Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Charlotte Ballet.

Jenni has worked with world renowned choreographers including Dwight Rhoden, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Sasha Janes, Mark Diamond and David Ingram. Some of her design credits include Charlotte Ballet’s The Little Mermaid and Innovative Works, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s KnightSounds series, Charlotte Youth Ballet’s Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland and countless concerts and special events.

She is an ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician, member of IATSE Local 322, and has an M.A. in Communication from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte where her academic focus was on sports communication and culture. She’s an avid knitter, teardrop camper, hockey enthusiast and world traveler.

Currently, she is studying theatre at the University of Memphis with an emphasis in Lighting and Sound Design.

Because of Jenni's extensive touring experience, she was kind enough to be a guest on our podcast as well as author a "Tour Diaries: Tales from the Road" piece, which will be published in next week's Weekly News!

If you’d like to explore Jenni’s work, please visit her website www.jennipropst.com.

Registration is now open for USITT21 Virtually Anywhere taking place March 8-12, 2021. To register visit usitt.org/registration.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

Today we have a special episode feature USITT’s community conversations. On Nov. 19 we held another successful Community Conversations webinar, this time presented by Latinx professionals Alejo Vietti, Regina Garcia, Jesse Portillo, and Tanya Orellana.

If you’d like to attend a future community conversations webinar, please visit the webinars block under our education and training tab on our website at usitt.org.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.
TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

Today we have a special episode featuring USITT’s Community Conversations. On Oct. 30 we held our first community conversation with lighting designers Jim Streeter, Christina Watanabe, Adam Honore, and Hideaki Tsutsui as they discussed their careers, process, and what inspires them. If you weren't able to attend the free webinar, we've got you covered.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

Today we’re on the line with father-and-son duo John and Tyler DeLong of DeLong Rigging Solutions.

Tyler and John are both ETCP certified Riggers who have extensive experience working in the live entertainment industry. Their company, DeLong Rigging Solutions, is a product of a great idea, a widespread industry need, and the pandemic. Tyler, like many other individuals in the entertainment industry, found himself suddenly without employment in the spring of 2020 due to Covid-19.

Through his searches for the next project, he had the realization that there was a need in the entertainment industry for qualified and experienced rigging experts to inspect rigging systems and advise on best practices. Thus he started A Man, A Jeep, No Real Plan LLC to investigate this niche.

Very quickly he realized that this need was larger than what he originally thought and he recruited his father, John DeLong as a partner and DeLong Rigging Solutions was born. Let’s welcome Tyler and John.

If you’d like to learn more about Tyler, John, DeLong Rigging Solutions, and their upcoming One Shot training program, please visit www.delongriggingsolutions.com.

Have you heard? Our 61st Annual Conference & Stage Expo will be held virtually in March of 2021. It’s never been easier to attend USITT! The online event allows us to encourage a global audience to attend easier than ever before and lets all participants expand their networks across the world. USITT21 Virtually Anywhere! Visit www.usitt.org/conference21 to learn more.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.