Go Live!   Go Professional!

If you would like to become part of this group of people, specifically within the performing arts business, you should seriously consider attending the several trade shows that the industry organizes year after year. Furthermore, you should stay connected to trade associations, which are essentially devoted to convene the leaders who are responsible for the industry’s future.

USITT's Stage Expo, March 2011

I’ve recently posted an article about LDI’s Broadway master classes and mentioned the importance of the trade show they will be holding in Orlando later this year. However, on this occasion, I would like to recommend another association that has been working for the benefit of entertainment professionals since 1960. The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) “provides an environment for [design, production, and technology] professionals to connect, create, share, and communicate their craft” (USSIT Inc., 2011, ¶ 2). Consequently, USITT constantly organizes conferences, symposiums, award ceremonies, expositions, and workshops. The association not only educates and assists technicians and engineers, it also focuses on the professional development of costume designers, set designers, architectures, lighting designers, sound designers, and production managers.  Furthermore, USITT provides an employment listing for those who are seeking for professional positions or need to connect to proficient employees.

Cirque du Soleil's Training Facility in Las Vegas

To emphasize the importance of actively participating in the industry’s trade activities, I would like to highlight one of the unique opportunities USITT has offered last month. Although there are many ways to profit from USITT’s commitment to the performing arts, I believe this particular program illustrates how well your career can grow when taking full advantage of your personal learning network. Consequently, 32 students and early career members have been selected by USITT’s elite training program to spend three days at Cirque du Soleil’s training center in Las Vegas, having access to the latest technologies the industry is exploiting. Members of the program will have the opportunity to select their own technological field of interest and put their hands on state-of-the-art automation, video projection, and sound gear. Moreover, they will be introduced to Cirque du Soleil’s production and technical staff, who will display different demostrations on how Cirque’s resident shows apply new technologies. Cirque du Soleil’s training center, which opened in March 2009, was originally designed for the technical staff to strengthen their skills in the use of the cutting-edge audio, rigging, automation, and lighting equipment behind every Cirque’s spectacular show in Las Vegas.

As you may already imagine, opportunities like these don’t arise everyday. By staying current with your industry you can discover hundreds of possibilities to help your profession move forward. You will not only receive advanced field training, but you will also be given the chance to get in touch with highly respected companies, engineers, designers and producers. Remember, change is happening right now; allow your personal learning network to help you survive or succeed.

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