Alfred University’s Performing Arts Division hosted the Upstate New York Regional Meeting of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) on Saturday, Sept. 19. The meeting brought students, educators, and industry professionals to campus for a day of hands-on workshops, demonstrations, mentorship, and professional connection.
Marty Postma (left), sales director and Northeast U.S. and Eastern Canada regional sales manager for ROBE, a leading global manufacturer of entertainment lighting, Markéta Fantová, design faculty member in Alfred University’s Performing Arts Division, provide a demonstration of the RoboSpot stage lighting system during the recent regional meeting of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) hosted at Alfred University.
Students and faculty from Alfred University, SUNY Oswego, the University at Buffalo and high school participants from across the region gathered in Alfred’s performing arts facilities to learn alongside professionals working in theatre design, production, and entertainment technology.
A highlight of the day was the opportunity to work directly with emerging professional lighting technology. Marty Postma, sales director and Northeast U.S. and Eastern Canada regional sales manager for ROBE, a leading global manufacturer of entertainment lighting, joined Alfred University design faculty member Markéta Fantová to introduce participants to ROBE technology, including the RoboSpot system. Students and educators were able to experiment with the equipment themselves during hands-on demonstrations and workshops focused on RoboSpot operation, lighting sources, and color.
The day began with the regional USITT meeting and introductions to members of the Upstate New York Regional USITT executive board, including Judith Wyman Collette, Costume Shop supervisor at SUNY Oswego and regional chair; Andrew DG Hunt, lighting consultant with Theatre Projects and regional secretary; designer and educator Laura Vitale, regional co-vice chair of programming; and Timothy “TJ” Wildow, associate project manager at Hudson Scenic Studios and regional vice chair of communications.
Programming throughout the day gave students opportunities to explore multiple areas of professional theatre production. Workshops included a Costume Challenge led by Alfred University Costume Shop Manager and Clinical Faculty Sasha Nemi Lato; The Stage Crew Code led by Production Manager Randy Wachtel; ROBE RoboSpot and ROBE Sources and Color sessions led by Postma and Fantová; and a Stairs Workshop led by Technical Director Zachary Hamm.
Students participate in the Costume Challenge workshop during the recent regional meeting of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) hosted at Alfred University.
The day also created opportunities for learning beyond the scheduled sessions. Hamm led an impromptu demonstration of Miller Theater’s motorized JR Clancy PowerLift rigging system, giving students visiting from other institutions a closer look at the system and its operation.
Professional preparation was another central part of the gathering. Hunt, Wildow and Vitale provided individual portfolio and résumé critiques for students in a Mentors Jam Session, which gave participants an informal setting to ask questions about their résumés, interviewing, entering the industry and the professional skills needed to move from college production work into careers in theatre and live entertainment.
“Having professionals bring their expertise—and in this case, some of the newest technology in the industry—directly to our students is incredibly valuable,” said Dr. Jessie Thoman, associate dean of Performing Arts at Alfred University. “Students were not simply hearing about the work - they were trying the equipment, asking questions, sharing their portfolios and résumés, and talking directly with people doing this work professionally. Just as importantly, they were building connections with students, educators, and industry professionals.”
Thoman noted that special thanks go to the Upstate New York USITT leadership and to Alfred University Performing Arts faculty and staff Hamm, Wachtel, Fantová and Nemi Lato, whose collaboration, planning and considerable work made it possible to bring this regional gathering to Alfred. Their efforts created a day in which students from Alfred and across the region could learn directly from one another and from working professionals, experience current industry technology, and build connections that extend beyond their individual campuses.
The meeting reflects Alfred University Performing Arts’ commitment to connecting students’ academic and production experiences with the professional world while also serving as a resource for theatre students and educators throughout Western and Central New York.
The United States Institute for Theatre Technology, founded in 1960, connects performing arts design and technology communities and promotes dialogue among professionals, educators and students. Its work encompasses theatre and entertainment design, management and technology while supporting education, innovation, research, safety and professional development across the live entertainment industry.
Through regional gatherings such as the one hosted at Alfred University, students have opportunities to expand their professional networks, learn from peers and practitioners beyond their home institutions, and gain exposure to the technologies, practices, and professionals shaping contemporary live entertainment.
