This week we're joined by licensed cosmetologist, makeup artist, wig designer, and 2024 winner of the USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Professional Make-Up, Tiara Jones! We chatted with Tiara about her work in fashion, makeup, and wig design, her holy grail makeup product, the challenges she's faced as a young professional, her creati…

On this week's episode, we spoke with costume designer, educator, and 2024 Herbert D. Greggs Honor Award winner, Anastasia Goodwin about her winning article, "The Costume History Classroom as Laboratory" which appeared in the Fall 2022 issue of our journal Theatre Design & Technology (TD&T). We chatted with Anastasia about her passion for education…

Have you ever wondered how to get more out of your USITT Membership? Are you curious about opportunities like committee involvement and Board fellowship? Join us for this week's episode as we chat with sound designer, past Sherry Wagner-Henry Board Fellow, committee member, and donor Kyle. W. Jensen. Click here to learn more about Kyle and the Sher…

On this week's episode, we sat down with our incoming Sherry Wagner-Henry Board Fellow and scenic artist, Dani Ranisate. We chatted about her process of being selected for the fellowship, her work on forming a USITT Student Chapter, the connections she's made with our Board of Directors, and more! Help us welcome Dani to the Board! Click here to le…

On this week's episode, we sat down with special guest Xotchil Musser — our 2024 Barbizon Lighting Company Jonathan Resnick Lighting Design Award winner, to talk about their design process, their study of the connection between lighting and mental health, advocacy for anti-racist theatre, and more. Click here to learn more about Xotchil Musser and …

On this week's episode, we chat with Lighting Designer Dawn Chiang, our 2024 Distinguished Achievement Award (DAA) winner for her work in Lighting Design and Technology. Join us as we ask Dawn about her creative process, impactful industry relationships, her work on the Great White Way, and more! To learn more about Dawn and the DAA for Lighting De…

*Trigger warning: This episode touches on the topics of mental health, suicide, substance abuse, bullying, and therapy. Please listen with caution. Over the past month, we partnered with the Behind the Scenes charity to share their resources on Mental Health First Aid, suicide prevention, bystander intervention, and more for Mental Health Awareness…

On this week's episode, we're joined by theatrical and game audio designer and our 2024 Rising Star Award winner, William Lowe. Join us as we chat about the storytelling of sound, how keeping up with industry trends can be a full-time job, and working in the vast world of game audio design. To learn more about William and the Rising Star Award spon…

On this week's episode, We sat down with special guest Andrew Riedemann— our 2024 Bernhard R. Works, Frederick A. Buerki Scenic Technology Award winner, to talk about the live entertainment industry, life in technical production, working overseas, and more! Click here to learn more about Andrew Riedemann and the Bernhard R. Works, Frederick A. Buer…

On this week's episode, we sat down with special guest Aholibama Castañeda González — our 2024 KM Fabrics, Inc. Technical Production Award winner, to talk about the live entertainment industry, technical production in the festival world, what the award means to them, and what’s next in their career! Click here to learn more about Aholibama Castañed…

TECHnically Speaking is back with a brand new episode featuring 2024 Howard Vincent Kurtz Student Engagement Grant winner and interdisciplinary artist, Marisa Lawrence! In this episode we chat with Marisa about her research on integrative Costume Technology applications beyond the stage and screen, how she keeps up with the ever-evolving tech world…

This week we're joined by USITT23 Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award winner and sound designer, Huhao Yang. From designing in China during his undergraduate studies to his large-scale work with Toyota and Wyndham, we covered it all in this week’s episode! Click here to learn more about Huhao Yang and the Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award…

This week we're joined by sound designer and 2023 Distinguished Achievement Award (DAA) for Sound Design & Technology winner, David Budries. We chatted about about his illustrious career in sound that he assures us is NOT over — even now during his retirement, his passion for the industry, where he gathers design inspiration, and how he paved his o…

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by visual artist and 2023 USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Professional Make-Up winner, Ying-Syuan Zeng. Hear us chat about her work in many facets of the industry including wigs, makeup, and scenic design, her creative process, favorite show to work on, and more! Click here to learn more about Yin…

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by costume designer and 2023 Zelma H. Weisfeld Costume Design & Technology Award winner, M.J. Hromek. Click below to learn about M.J’s creative process, her best advice for those new to the industry, and what this award win has meant to her. Click here to learn more about M.J. and the Zelma H. Weisfeld Costume D…

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by designer, educator, and costume commissioner Howard Vincent Kurtz to discuss the creation of Student Engagement Grants. These new grants encourage and support emerging theatre artists, and are funded by Kurtz each year to support our student members. Student Engagement Grants nominations close Nov. 9! Click h…

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by stage manager and 2023 YDMT winner of the USITT Stage Management Award sponsored by Clear-Com, Kelsea Sibold. We chatted with Kelsea about her favorite events to stage manage, lessons learned from working with different teams, her best stage management advice, and more! Click here to learn more about Kelsea a…

On this week’s episode we’re chatting with 2023 USITT Scene Design Award Sponsored by Rose Brand winner, Mia Irwin. We talked with Mia about her award win, her paint work on over 50 productions, her creative process, and more. Click here to learn more about Mia and the USITT Scene Design Award Sponsored by Rose Brand. All episodes of our USITT23 se…

On this week’s episode of TECHnically Speaking: USITT23 Series, we are joined by 2023 Rising Star Award winner and video designer Adam J. Thompson! We chatted about digital design, his passion for interactive and responsive design environments, and his work with The Deconstructive Theatre Project. Adam J. Thompson is a video and graphic designer wo…

On this week’s episode we chatted with 2023 Barbara Matera Award for Costume Making winner, Emma Dickerson. We talked about her award win, her work for television, fil, and Broadway, what she loves about the build and design process, and more. Click here to learn more about Emma and the Barbara Matera Award for Costume Making. All episodes of our U…

This week we’re getting an inside look at what it takes to create a book for the live entertainment industry. Stage manager, USITT Board member, and co-author of The Production Manager’s Toolkit Cary Gillett discusses how the book idea came to life, the thoughtful changes that came with the second edition, and why this book’s existence is important…

On this week’s episode we chatted with 2023 YDMT KM Fabrics, Inc. Technical Production Award winner, Mia Sara Haiman! We discussed her work both regionally and abroad, industry challenges she’s faced, her biggest win, and more. Click here to learn more about Mia Sara Haiman and the YDMT KM Fabrics, Inc. Technical Production Award. All episodes of o…

Join us this week as we chat with our 2023 Joel E. Rubin Founder’s Award winner, Elynmarie Kazle. On this episode we discuss Elynmarie’s long history with USITT, her favorite programs she’s been a part of, and why winning this particular award is so special to her. Click here to learn more about Elynmarie and the Joel E. Rubin Founder's Award. All …

*Please note that the audio from 00:36 to 1:10 is lower in volume. This is remedied at 1:10 and does not last for the entirety of the episode.* Join us this week for our exhibitor “minisode” featuring Ramzi Shakra of Epson and Jim Hinz of Show Sage — two of our USITT23 exhibitors! We discussed their perspectives on what makes USITT a great show for…

3 LinkedIn Tools to Help You Show Up More in Search LinkedIn and its LinkedIn Recruiter solution are both platforms used by hiring professionals to search for qualified candidates. With the rise of AI and the fact that there are close to 800M users on the platform, the platform has become increasingly algorithm-driven as a way to “whittle down” sea…

This week we're joined by costume designer, director, Distinguished Professor of Theatre and Dance at UC San Diego, and our 2023 Distinguished Achievement Award (DAA) for education winner, Judith Dolan. We chatted about her award win, where her passion and style of teaching stems from, what her hopes for the industry are, and what's up next for the…

On this episode of our USITT23 series, we’re featuring 2023 exhibitor Tyler DeLong of DeLong Rigging Solutions. Click below to hear us chat about upcoming updates to their successful and free One Shot Training and get the lowdown on some of their current projects Click here to experience One Shot Training. Click here to learn more about DeLong Rigg…

With summer around the corner, it felt like a great time to reflect on my career journey and path to accidental entrepreneurship -- and hopefully provide some solace, comfort and inspiration for those struggling with what feels like a non-linear path. In this week’s podcast, I walk through my career job-by-job . . . how I got it, what worked and wh…

Join us this week as Jay Sheehan talks about The Production Manager’s Toolkit’s second edition, co-written with production and stage manager, Cary Gillett. We chatted about its industry importance, what to expect from this new edition, and how USITT played a role in its creation. Click here to purchase The Production Manager's Toolkit! Click here t…

TECHnically Speaking is back and we're kicking off our return with the first episode of our USITT23 series featuring our new Executive Director, Laura Lee Everett! Join us as Laura Lee talks about her vision for the Institute, ideas for membership, and how her relationship with USITT has grown over the last 10 years. To learn even more about Laura …

Stay Tuned! Our TECHnically Speaking podcast returns NEXT FRIDAY with our USITT23 series. These new episodes feature USITT Executive Director Laura Lee Everett, 2023 award winners, members, exhibitors, and more!By USITT

ABOUT DAWN: Dawn is an Author, TEDx Speaker and LinkedIn Learning Instructor who talks about Career Moblity, the Talent Marketplace, Reskilling & Rebranding and more. For 6 years, she hosted the live weekly call-in show "Dr. Dawn on Careers" on SIRIUSXM's Business Radio (132) where she interviewed talent experts and company leaders around the world…

About Colleen Beginning with her career as an engineer, then production manager and pricing analyst for 2 Fortune 50 companies (Procter & Gamble and FedEx), it’s safe to state that Colleen is an expert in career pivots. Colleen launched her writing business in 2006 and has served a wide range of corporate clients including The Motley Fool and Inves…

David is a career coach and has been involved in the resilience field for over 30 years. A 3X career changer himself, he is the Founder of Soul Satisfying work. His diverse background includes work in the addictions field as a counselor, and he is passionate about physical fitness, healthy nutrition and the application of wisdom traditions and mind…

OUR CHAT Nicole pulled back the curtain to discuss her process for finding and vetting candidates. We discussed how she uses Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) plays, online and niche job boards, what she looks, red flags and much more. She also shared insights on navigating ghosting and staying top of mind. ABOUT NICOLE Nicole Reyes has spent more …

OUR CHAT Discussion Highlights: The strong similarities between job search and sales processes. How your attitude and emotional state can make or break a job search. 3 questions to ask yourself when figuring out your next best move. Messaging is everything! It informs what you say to others during outreach, interviews, and in your resume and Linked…

OUR CHAT Lisa and Adam broke down: Core differences between service on nonprofit, startup and public boards. Key messaging to include in board marketing collateral (hint: it’s different than what you share as a job seeker on your resume) The skills you must possess to serve on a public board. Who and how to network to identify board opportunities. …

Join us for this week’s episode with Rachel Stiles of Stage Creatives Network as we talk all things industry networking. Want to improve your resume? Need to perfect your pitch? Interested in more than one facet of the industry? We chatted about it all! Rachel Stiles is a union member, makeup/wig artist, dresser, and industry/career coach residing …

OUR CHAT Cassie shared the ins and outs of her job search – including big wins and lessons learned – that helped her make a major career transition within 5 months and then recover from a setback in a matter of days. ABOUT CASSIE Cassie began her career as a corporate trainer, then made her first career transition in 2007 when she earned her Master…

OUR CHAT As a Brazilian immigrant who has been in the U.S. for 10+ years, Ana and I discussed: Mindset adjustments to overcome language barriers Effective methods to understand the U.S. job market. Strategies to glean intel in a new industry. The importance of setting boundaries when striving to make a name for yourself as a newcomer to Corporate A…

We’re back! Join us for this week’s podcast episode where we’re joined by Opera in the Ozarks’ costume designer, Kim Welborn. We chatted with Kim about her work on Opera in the Ozarks' recent re-envisioned production of The Magic Flute. What makes it re-envisioned? Its eco-conscious spin to the storyline and costumes constructed one hundred percent…

OUR CHAT Cathy and I chatted about obstacles “mature” workers put in their own way (job search success starts in your head!) and those others placed on us (hello age discrimination) during job search. She also shared strategies for identifying a new career target, launching a career change and best practices for resume and LinkedIn writing. ABOUT C…

OUR CHAT We broke down Erick’s 3-step approach to job search that has helped people land meaningful work that aligns with what they love. Erick also shared proven techniques and approaches to outreach, networking and testing the waters to ensure your next career move is in the right direction. ABOUT ERICK As a husband, father and engineer turned ca…

OUR CHAT Alicia is on a mission to incorporate mindfulness into job search and career management – and it’s clear she knows her stuff! We discussed: Methods for identifying our career energy drainers v. givers Easy-to-deploy techniques for calming nerves in stressful career situations A 5-step process for interviewing conversations to advance your …

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman. On this week’s episode we sat down with Distinguished Achievement Award for Education winner, Dick Block. Dick Block began his career as an educator over four decades ago after receiving his degree at Northwestern University and has been privil…

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman. On this week’s episode we sat down with sound designer and 2022 Distinguished Achievement Award for Sound winner, Michael Hooker. We chatted with Michael about his long legacy and involvement with USITT, themed entertainment work, his experienc…

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman. On this week’s episode, we sat down with 2022 YDMT winner of the Zelma H. Weisfeld Costume Design & Technology Award, Zhang Yu. Zhang Yu is a costume designer with professional experience in theater, opera, musical, dance and Chinese traditiona…

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman. On this week’s episode, we sat down with 2022 YDMT winner of the USITT Scene Design Award Sponsored by Rose Brand, Kevin Lee McBee. We chatted about his work on and off the traditional stage, both in theme parks and museums, as well as his desi…

This week’s episode features USITT’s own Jody Harris! Jody joined the USITT team three years ago as our meeting planner and has most recently become our Director of Sales and Events. We chatted about her new role, future goals for the Institute, and what her growth within USITT means for our membership and Conference TECHnically Speaking is a publi…

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman. On this week’s episode, we sat down with 2022 YDMT winner of the KM Fabrics Technical production Award, Cam Camden. At the time of recording, Cam was a fourth-year MFA Candidate in the Technical Design & Production Program at the newly renamed …