USITT Offers Glerum Rigging, Electrics Masterclasses in June

USITT's first Jay O. Glerum Masterclasses are set for June 13-14 in Denver, with two-day workshops in Advanced Rigging and Entry Level Rigging, plus an Electrician Masterclass for early and mid-career professionals.

The Entry Level Rigging track is for educators and students, and covers both counterweight and automated rigging safety operations. It will be led by Ed Leahy of Chicago Flyhouse, Bridget Cox of JR Clancy, and Shane Kelly of DePaul University. Grants are available to cover travel expenses for secondary school teachers. Register here.

The Advanced Rigging Track, Building Blocks of Stage Hoist Automation, is for professionals and qualifies for 12 ETCP renewal credits. It will be led by Eric Rouse of Denver Center Theatre Company, Peter Svitavsky of JR Clancy, Joe Champelli of Entertainment Project Services, Paul Kelm of iWeiss, and Gareth Conner of Creative Conners. Register here for the advanced track.

The Electrician Masterclass is designed to give the early/mid-career participant a better understanding of electricity and the hazards of working with it in the entertainment industry. It will be led by ETCP-recognized trainers Mitch Hefter of Philips Lighting and Ken Vannice, LLC, and qualifies for 12 ETCP renewal credits. Register here.

Hotel housing for masterclass participants has been arranged at the Holiday Inn Express Downtown Denver at a block rate.

The Jay O. Glerum Masterclasses honor the memory of master rigger and rigging safety advocate Jay Glerum, who passed away in 2014. They will be held in a different location each year. USITT has offered Electrical Workshops since 2001.

The Glerum Masterclasses are sponsored by JR Clancy, ETC, H&H Specialties and Texas Scenic Co., with additional support from the Clancy Green Machine Employees, the Colorado Alliance of Technical Theatre Educators, and Metropolitan State University of Denver.

USITT, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, is a national non-profit association for the live entertainment production industry. It provides lifelong hands-on learning, mentorship, and networking opportunities for emerging and working professionals in the backstage arts. Its Annual Conference and Stage Expo is the only complete production event in North America, featuring over 250 training sessions and 280 exhibitors of the latest tools and resources for creating live entertainment. More information is at www.usitt.org.