Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn to read our articles as they are published! |
|
|
|
During this holiday season, as our members celebrate the winter solstice and the new year in a variety of ways, we reflect on another year of growth for the American Society of Theatre Consultants. Our Board and members of our various committees have been hard at work developing outreach and education initiatives, planning conferences and forums, advocating for our profession on code committees, publishing newsletters such as this one, and, of course, meeting year end deadlines on our theatre consulting projects. In 2022 we were back in person for our Annual Meeting held at the USITT Conference in Baltimore and our Annual Forum, held in Nashville in the fall. We celebrated the presentation of our inaugural ASTC Mentorship Program graduate, Fiorello La Guardia High School student Elana Rappaport. We also welcomed new member Michael Nishball, ASTC and, sadly, said goodbye to old friends, Emeritus members Jim Read, FASTC and Robert Lorelli.
In 2023 we will be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the ASTC with a public reception at the USITT Conference in St. Louis on March 17 and an invited reception in New York City in the fall, in the town where the founding meeting of the ASTC was held on January 14, 1983. We look forward to the next installment of the ASTC-USITT Renovation Challenge during the USITT Conference too. It promises to be a great year.
Wishing you all a warm and wonderful holiday season.
Heather McAvoy, ASTC
President
|
|
ASTC Forum attendees touring Belmont University, 2022 |
|
Choosing Between Performance Equipment Upgrades or a Venue Renovation by Michael Parrella, ASTC
ASTC Remembers Jim Read, FASTC by Paul Sanow, ASTC
Early Theatre Winch Controls by Paul Sanow, ASTC
Rigging Terminations - Then & Now by Peter Scheu, ASTC
|
|
ASTC Announces New Member - Michael Nishball by Paul Sanow, ASTC
Did You Know - A Sticky Ticket Wicket by Robert Long, FASTC & Robert Shook, FASTC
Did You Know - Dressing Room Power and Light by Paul Sanow, ASTC
|
|
 |
Some renovations are more complex. In this case, the auditorium seating was completely reshaped, and a new stage house constructed to serve the needs of the theatre. Photo by Paul Sanow, ASTC |
|
|
|
Performing arts buildings are often thought of as 50 or 100 year buildings. But a plan is needed so these spaces remain operational and to meet the needs of an owner as requirements and technology changes. Here are some thoughts on the ranges of intervention, and a good argument for developing a long-term plan.
|
|
The American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) mourns the loss of longtime member and Fellow, James “Jim” Read, FASTC, who passed away on November 2, 2022.
|
|
Counting relays, side view |
|
In the early days of Theatre Consulting as a profession, some consultants were much more hands-on when it comes to the design of equipment to solve a particular need. As the saying goes, “necessity is the mother of invention”. Jim Read, FASTC shares some thoughts on his early work with consulting pioneer, George C. Izenour, and how early winch controls were developed.
|
|
Batten lift line termination from the past. No longer permitted. Photo by Peter Scheu, ASTC |
|
Modern lift line termination with rated hardware for overhead lifting. Photo by Paul Sanow, ASTC |
|
Our industry has come a long way over the last few years, and it’s not just about LEDs! There have been great strides when it comes to safety and proper engineering of the equipment that goes into theatres. Here, we go into the weeds, er… up into the flies.
|
|
The American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) announces that Michael Nishball has been accepted into membership at the organization’s Forum, held in Nashville at the beginning of October. ASTC’s full Membership Roster may be found HERE. ASTC’s membership requirements can be viewed HERE.
Since 1995, Michael has provided stage house design, stage equipment details, and specifications for hundreds of performance spaces. His work includes on-site review of structural systems, rigging equipment, and stage machinery to identify field deficiencies affecting project quality and timely completion. He is a Principal for Theatre Projects working out of their New England office.
|
|
Robert Long, FASTC & Robert Shook, FASTC
|
|
Box Offices like this are becoming a relic
of the past. Photo by Paul Sanow, ASTC.
|
|
A modern Box Office is more welcoming, and can include features like a hotel. Photo by Paul Sanow, ASTC. |
|
After you work through the word etymology, you will find some solid information about trends in box offices for performing arts.
|
|
Dressing Room with receptacles and caged lights. Photo by Paul Sanow, ASTC |
|
Dressing and Makeup Rooms have specific requirements that are often ignored or misunderstood. Some of those requirements help performers do the work they need to do, while other requirements are there for life safety.
|
|
"If you ever wondered how many theatre consultants fit into a freight elevator?" This is from Schermerhorn Concert Hall. The fun part is this photo was taken just before the door closed and we didn't move for a few minutes due to some kind of problem. Photo by Joshua Grossman, ASTC |
|
Helpful ASTC website pages:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
