USITT Seeks Applicants for 2015 Elite Training This May in Las Vegas

USITT is accepting applications for its popular Elite Training weekend May 28-30 at the Cirque du Soleil Training Center in Las Vegas.

The program is open to a total of 40 participants - eight each in the disciplines of sound, rigging, automation, projection, and stage management.

Those selected get free tuition for three days of training with top companies and industry professionals. Key supporters include Cirque du Soleil, Tait/Stage Technologies, Meyer Sound, CM Entertainment, Coolux Media Systems, Silver State Wire Rope, and Nicopress.

Apply at www.usitt.org/elite15. Deadline is March 30.

Hotel housing is only $84 per night for Elite Training participants, and some meals are provided. Participants pay for discount housing, transportation to Las Vegas, and some meals.

Elite Training is also known as "Three Days That Changed My Life" -- a common comment from past participants.

Kyle Himsworth, auditorium manager and technical director for the Indian Hills School District in Cincinnati, attended last year's Elite Training in sound. He trained with Meyer on its D-Mitri digital audio platform and brought back concepts for improving audio at his two theatres and teaching students to create environments using sound.

"Elite Training could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience," he said. "You get to talk to and work with people who you just don't run into day-to-day ... and the inspiration alone is almost as valuable as the training you receive."

Kelsey Bailey landed a job with Feld Entertainment's Disney on Ice Frozen tour through USITT 2014 in Fort Worth. She applied for the 2014 Elite Training in Rigging, knowing she would be involved in load-in and set-up of huge sets and props hung above and on ice.

"Training with Silver State Wire Rope was great, since they manufacture so many of the packages that go out," she said. "When you're going on the road, you need to be able to help out in any area needed, and I have a big interest in rigging because it's one of those things that, the more you know, the safer you'll be."

Elite Training includes three days of intensive, hands-on learning in specific disciplines, plus backstage tours of Cirque du Soleil shows, and discussions with industry professionals and production staff.

USITT, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, is committed to developing year-round, life-long learning opportunities for members of the backstage professions. For more info, visit www.usitt.org.

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