November 12, 2022- 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.
Jim served as a president of the ASTC and was a constant presence at organization events. Even as he retired from consulting and moved to emeritus status, Jim was often present online or in person, always contributing observations and information.
Read was born in Fulton, KY in 1933, where he built his first theatre in his basement, complete with a stage, screen, footlights, and a control booth, in 1948. He rarely strayed far from the business after that. He continued in high school where he and a crew of friends ran a community high school auditorium; he apparently kept up with members of that crew until his death.
Before joining the US Navy as an officer and pilot Jim attended the University of Kentucky, where he majored in English and Speech & Dramatic Arts, with a minor in math. Lieutenant Read served as an Electronics and Ordinance Officer, flying jets out of Jacksonville and from aircraft carriers at sea. His longtime associate, R. Duane Wilson, FASTC, noted Jim still flew when he could. Instructors observed he would land the plane near the beginning of the runway, “a holdover from his carrier landing training”. Wilson also said Jim loved computerized flight simulators, saying he “usually ending by flying through the hanger before landing.”
While in the Navy, Jim found time to work with the Guild Players in Jacksonville, FL before returning to civilian life and the theatre full time. He was the first Theatre Engineering graduate of the Yale School of Drama MFA program in 1962. His thesis on the design of a 6-channel SCR dimmer pack was later developed into a commercial product. Immediately after graduating, he began his long association with George C. Izenour, the well-known Yale professor and theatre consultant, researching and developing controls systems for stage mechanics. His work could be found at UCLA, Loeb Drama Center, Harvard University, Hopkins Center, Dartmouth College, and many other venues. While working with Izenour, Read designed and built the first 12 kW electronic dimmer as well as a computer to reposition architectural elements for Jones Hall.
In 1965 he co-founded Theatre Techniques, Inc. (TTI) which built popular dimmers and controls used in many theatres throughout the country. At one point, TTI had 45 employees. He remained with the company until 1977.
He began consulting on theatre design and management in 1977, before spending a year as an associate professor at Carnegie-Mellon through the 1984 – 1985 school year. In 1985 Jim returned to full time theatre consulting, occasionally in association with his mentor, George Izenour. In 1998, along with R. Duane Wilson, FASTC, and Jeffery Millet, they purchased George C. Izenour Associates and continued the firm after Izenour’s death in 2007. During this time Jim became an early adopter of AutoCAD software, developing programs to assist in sightline studies, seating layouts, and other tasks.
Jim was accepted into membership in 1988 after being an associate for one year. He was a strong supporter of the ASTC, where he served as its president from 2006 to 2012. He was also instrumental in developing and maintaining the ASTC’s Code of Ethics. ASTC President Heather McAvoy noted, “Jim’s long and varied career is a source of inspiration for ASTC members. The Society benefitted from his many years of dedicated leadership, and his good nature and humility made him a congenial colleague at ASTC functions. We will miss him.”
Jim will be sorely missed by the members of the ASTC. No obituary or memorial plans are known at present.
###
Photo of James Read, FASTC (portrait): https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/Read/jim-read-fastc.jpg
Photo of James Read, FASTC (square format): https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/Read/jim-read-fastc-sq.jpg
ASTC Logo: https://theatreconsultants.org/ASTC-Logo-various-formats.zip
March 18, 2022- The American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) is pleased to announce Scott Crossfield as a new Fellow of the Society. Fellowship is the highest honor the ASTC can bestow upon a member. Elevation to Fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of the member as an individual, but also elevates before the public and the profession those individuals who have made significant contributions to the ASTC for a substantial number of years. Scott Crossfield has a distinguished body of work in performing arts design. He has consulted on the design of over 600 performing arts venues. He had been an ASTC Board member and Vice President. He served on the ASTC code committee, membership committee and Fellows review sub-committee for up to ten years. Scott Crossfield has been a theatre consultant for 25 years. He is a director at Theatre Projects having joined the company in 2007.
Scott Crossfield has been a speaker at performing arts conferences and a guest lecturer on theatre design at numerous universities. For conferences associated with the performing arts, he co-created the “ASTC presents: The History of ….” series, a humorous and educational presentation that delves into the history of theatre in the conference’s host city. It all started with “The History of New York City” in 2012 and is now on its thirteenth iteration. It has become a popular conference session and has increased the exposure of ASTC within the industry. The Fellowship announcement was made at ASTC’s annual meeting, where Crossfield expressed his sincere appreciation to those who helped him achieve this honor. More information about ASTC Fellows can be found at: https://theatreconsultants.org/members/fellows-of-astc-fastc/
Christopher Ochocki was admitted into membership of ASTC. Mr. Ochocki was approved by the ASTC Board of Directors after having met the requirements for membership including leadership experience as theatre consultant on multiple projects over the past 16 years. He is a Senior Theatre Consultant at PLA Designs in Portland, Oregon.
Industry veteran Ted Ohl has been named an Associate of the American Society of Theatre Consultants. He is a principal consultant at Schuler Shook Theatre Planners in New York. Mr. Ohl was a founding partner of Pook, Diemont & Ohl and was CEO of acouStacCorp prior to becoming a consultant.
A complete list of members and their contact information is available on the ASTC website: https://theatreconsultants.org/members/astcmembership-roster/
###
More information can be found at https://theatreconsultants.org
Photo of Scott Crossfield , FASTC: https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/scott-crossfield-FASTC.jpg
Photo of Chris Ochocki, ASTC: https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/chris-ochocki-ASTC.jpg
April 15, 2021- A team from the University of Virginia was awarded the top prize in the 2021 ASTC-USITT Venue Renovation Challenge competition on April 9th, 2021. The ASTC Edgar L. Lustig Award of $2,000 was presented to the University of Virginia team during a live YouTube video broadcast for their proposed renovation of the McIntire Amphitheater on the UVA campus. The theoretical project transformed a limited use outdoor amphitheater into a venue that can support a large variety of performing arts events along with additional functional support spaces.
Teams of students from Florida State University, Colorado State University and the University of Virginia participated in the Venue Renovation Challenge competition. The Florida State University team received the USITT Director’s Award of $1,000 for a project that is unique to FSU, the renovation and upgrade of the FSU “Flying High” Circus audience entry and backstage support facilities. Colorado State presented a project to renovate and modernize the University Center for the Arts theatre that emphasized broadening the educational and training opportunities available to students while addressing improvements to the practical technical issues of producing in the theatre.
A recording of the live competition presentation can be viewed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TBlEbwzq_0
The live presentation is the culmination of months of work by the student teams. The process consists of three major phases. First, each team develops and defines a renovation project on their campus and creates a concept statement for the competition. Next, the teams design a written “paper” project with documentation including plans, models, and other materials to illustrate the proposed renovation. Finally, there is an oral presentation of each team’s project. This year, the presentations were shown live in a YouTube session. This was followed by questions from the judges for each team. For each phase, a panel of six ASTC members act as judges to evaluate the materials and offer advice to the teams.
The judges noted the competition was extremely close between all three projects, with the diversity of the project types making the selection of a winner particularly difficult. The judges awarded the prizes after the final project presentations.
The teams were entirely made up of students, each with a faculty sponsor and an ASTC professional as a mentor.
The University of Virginia Team: Oliver Church, Catherine Henebery, Jackson Key, Caitlin Kreinheder, Tim Victorio. Faculty sponsor: Steven Warner. ASTC mentor: Kimberly Corbett Oates
The Colorado State University Team: Morgan Lessman, Lili Federico, Lauren Boesch, Lorna Stephens, Lukas White. Faculty sponsor: Matt Grevan. ASTC mentor: Millie Dixon
The Florida State University Team: Elliot Mahoney, Mike Delaney, Emily Chancellor, Wesley Seiderman, Raistlin Yovan, Hannah Smith, Nathaniel Feit. Faculty sponsor: Jim Lile. ASTC mentor: Christopher Sprague.
Each school’s team had a distinctive take on the video presentations. The University of Virginia team made extensive use of ground plans and model fly-throughs to show the dynamic changes they envisioned to the classic style semi-circular amphitheater, including re-raking the audience area near the front of the stage and adding overhead structures over the stage and in the house to provide protection from the weather and for technical equipment. The Florida State University team was able to show photos of existing problematic conditions for the “Flying High” Circus tent and after discussions with the users proposed improvements through renderings and plans including details of technical equipment with the goal of increasing efficiency and safety. The Colorado State University team’s video provided an extensive guided tour of the facility and support spaces while pointing out the areas to be renovated and the practical problems of the current spaces.
The event was hosted by Van Phillips of ASTC and David Grindle of USITT. The goal of the ASTC-USITT Venue Renovation Challenge is for students to gain experience with performance venue design and renovation as well as alternate career opportunities though an interactive process with a professional theatre consultant. The ASTC-USITT Venue Renovation Challenge will next occur in 2023, with application materials available in mid-2022. Full details of the event can be found: https://theatreconsultants.org/the-winners-of-the-astc-usitt-challenge-2021-are/
###
More information about ASTC can be found at https://theatreconsultants.org
Image of University of Virginia First prize winners: https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/challenge-2021/ASTC-USITT-2021-UofV-Winners.jpg
University of Virginia project rendering: https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/challenge-2021/UVA-rendering-2021.jpg
Image of Florida State University Second prize winners: https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/challenge-2021/ASTC-USITT-FSU-Team-2021.jpg
Florida State University project rendering: https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/challenge-2021/FSU-rendering-2021.jpg
ASTC Logo – to use against light/white background: https://theatreconsultants.org/press/ASTC-logo-700w-rgb-blk-ltrs.png
ASTC Logo – to use against dark/black background: https://theatreconsultants.org/press/ASTC-logo-700w-rgb-white-ltrs.png
USITT Logo: https://theatreconsultants.org/press/usitt_logo500.jpg
March 30, 2021- Every two years, the ASTC-USITT Venue Renovation Challenge is presented during the USITT Conference where a college or university team submits a theoretical project based on an existing structure on or accessible from the team’s campus. Because this year’s USITT conference was held virtually, the American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) worked with USITT to ensure the Challenge can continue uninterrupted, allowing the presentation event to be open to everyone to view. The presentations will occur live, Friday, April 9, 2021 at 2pm Eastern Time as a YouTube event at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TBlEbwzq_0 .
This year there are three university teams vying for ASTC’s Edgar L. Lustig Honor Award and the Director’s Award, sponsored by USITT. Each is a cash award. Unfortunately, two additional teams started the process but could not overcome pandemic-related challenges. The live event will include presentations from Colorado State University, Florida State University, and the University of Virginia.
The ASTC-USITT Venue Renovation Challenge is conducted in two parts, with participants, working with an ASTC mentor, creating and submitting design projects, then presenting their designs during this live session. ASTC members form the panel of judges. More details about the event can be found at: theatreconsultants.org/astc-usitt-challenge/.
April 15, 2020- The American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) is pleased to announce that at the “Online” Annual Business Meeting, Jack Hagler, Todd Hensley, and R. Duane Wilson were recognized and awarded the title of Fellow of American Society of Theatre Consultants (FASTC.)
Jack Hagler, a theatre consultant for over 32 years, is a Partner at Schuler Shook where he manages the Dallas office. An ASTC member since 1994, he has served on the Board of Directors as Vice-President and has been the ASTC Liaison to the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) since 2005. He has given educational presentations to many industry conferences across the United States. Awards for his projects have been numerous from such associations as IAVM, USITT, IAAM, IES, and AIA. Kimberly Corbett Oates, ASTC notes, “Jack’s resume of theatre projects is extensive, touching many project types and scales. He has led feasibility and planning studies, made renovation recommendations, acted as Owner’s representative, and designed projects including high schools, college and universities, civic centers, casinos, amphitheaters, government facilities, and houses of worship…He builds trust with our clients, owners, and users, and he listens to the individual needs of each project.”
Todd Hensley has been a theatre consultant for over 32 years and an ASTC member since 1998, during which he has served on the Board of Directors and President and is currently active on several committees. Mr. Hensley has consulted on over 400 projects with Schuler Shook where he serves as Partner in their Chicago office. He has earned awards from USITT, IESNA, and AIA Chicago. An accomplished lighting designer, he is also an adjunct faculty member teaching lighting at DePaul University. Heather McAvoy, ASTC says about Mr. Hensley, “…he has shown exceptional leadership in promoting excellence in our field, encouraging socially conscious design thinking and forwarding the mission of the ASTC.” McAvoy continues, “Todd has served as a thought leader for our industry in chairing and participating in dozens of presentations and panel discussions across North America on far-reaching topics such as gender identity accommodation, measuring the value of flexible theatres, creative rehearsal rooms, collaboration with acousticians, career building and other timely professional subjects.“
R. Duane Wilson has been an ASTC member for 32 years and has served as the Secretary-Treasurer since 2013 providing an invaluable service to the Society. Mr. Wilson is a graduate of Yale School of Drama in Theater Engineering, and joined theatre consultant pioneer, George C. Izenour in his practice in the mid-eighties and he remains part of the firm. Grace Gavin Rhodes, ASTC says about Mr. Wilson, “He is a theatre professional with a vast knowledge of our industry and is always willing to share his thoughts and wisdom. He is a stalwart on the board. He provides us with the institutional knowledge that forms our foundation and he is active, engaged and works to support the evolving nature of the business and our Society.” Jim Read, FASTC adds, “…Duane has been astonishingly capable, diligent, reliable, honest, and able to pull off the impossible with severely limited budgets. His early work in GCI’s lab helped further electronic control for the theater. Duane…has demonstrated the highest level of theater consulting expertise on projects from the smallest to the largest theater complexes, size made no difference.”
With only a maximum of three Fellowships awarded every two years; only a small percentage of members attain this honor. ASTC was founded in 1983 and currently has 79 full members representing 31 consulting companies in the US and Canada. Now in its 36th year, ASTC has awarded the honor of Fellow to thirteen members since the program was established in 2011. More information about ASTC Fellows can be found at: https://theatreconsultants.org/members/fellows-of-astc-fastc/
Admitted into membership was Clemeth L. Abercrombie, Chicago Studio Principal of Charcoalblue, having successfully fulfilled the ASTC requirements of capabilities and experience. Two new Associates were also accepted, Jerad Schomer and Jon Sivell, both of Charcoalblue. A complete list of members and their contact information is available on the ASTC website: https://theatreconsultants.org/members/astcmembership-roster/
###
More information can be found at https://theatreconsultants.org
Photo of Jack Hagler, FASTC: https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/Jack-Hagler-FASTC.jpg
Photo of Todd Hensley, FASTC: https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/Todd-Hensley-FASTC.jpg
Photo of R. Duane Wilson, FASTC: https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/R-Duane-Wilson-FASTC.jpg
Photo of Clemeth L. Abercrombie, ASTC: https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/Clemeth-Abercrombie-ASTC.jpg
ASTC Logo: https://theatreconsultants.org/ASTC-Logo-various-formats.zip
From Left: Keith Cornelius, Faculty Advisor, Tyler Ericson, Jonah Free, Dan Karlin, Jackson Lasseter, and Joshua Grossman, ASTC Mentor. Not pictured: Ryan Healey (student member) and Scott Pinkney, Faculty Advisor.
APRIL 2019 – ASTC & USITT congratulate the first place winning team from Emerson College and the second place winning team from Florida State University in the 5th ASTC-USITT Renovation Challenge. A record seven college/university teams participated in this years challenge that was held March 22nd at the 59th USITT Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Undergraduate and graduate students worked under the guidance of a faculty advisor(s) and a mentor from the American Society of Theatre Consultants to create a theatre renovation project. Each team selected an existing venue, developed a scope of work for improvements and presented their ideas to a live audience and Jury of ASTC members at a USITT Conference Session.The $2,000 Edgar L. Lustig Honor Award sponsored by ASTC was given to Tyler Ericson, Jonah Free, Ryan Healey, Jackson Lasseter, and Dan Karlin from Emerson College for their project of the adaptive reuse of the Union Bank Building on Tremont St. in Boston. Their Theatre Consultant mentor was Joshua Grossman, ASTC and their Faculty Advisors were Keith Cornelius and Scott Pinkney.
Representing the FSU Team, From Left: Jim Lile, Faculty Advisor, JD Davis, Braeden Ingersoll, Jackson Golden, Cliff Glowacki, Zachary Briscoe, Theatre Consultant mentor Christopher Sprague, ASTC. Not pictured: Austen Whipple.
The 2nd Place Director’s Award with a prize amount of $1,000 sponsored by USITT, went to the Florida State University graduate student team of Erin Collopy, Kassidy Loburn, Zachary Briscoe, John Davis, Ryan Ponsell, Clifford Glowacki, Austen Whipple, Jackson Golden, and Braeden Ingersoll. Their project was The Richard G. Fallon Theatre Renovation. The Theatre Consultant mentor was Christopher Sprague, ASTC and their Faculty Advisor was Jim Lile.Van Phillips, ASTC, served as the Chairman of the Renovation Challenge. The jurors were Paul Sanow, ASTC, Rose Steele, ASTC, Howard Glickman, ASTC, Kevin MacPhearson, ASTC, and Robert Long, FASTC.
For 2019, there were seven University and College Teams with 34 student participants. The teams were from Bradley University, Emerson College, Florida State University, Ohio State University, University of Oklahoma, Texas Tech University, and the Yale Drama School.
The judges commented that it was difficult choosing the 1st and 2nd Place teams, because all the teams did an excellent job and the choices had to be made on razor thin differences. Not only was this the largest number of teams for the Renovation Challenge, but 2019 marked the first time that a team made up of all undergraduate students won 1st Place. That was an epic achievement for the undergraduates from Emerson College.
Samples of this year’s participant’s work are available on the ASTC Website at: https://theatreconsultants.org/and-the-winner-of-the-2019-astc-usitt-renovation-challenge-is.
Students and educators who would like to benefit from the next Challenge should consider incorporating this opportunity in their academic schedules. The next Renovation Challenge will take place in 2021 with presentations in Columbus, Ohio at the 61st USITT Conference. Go to https://theatreconsultants.org/astc-usitt-challenge/ to learn more and see examples of past award winning work. We look forward to more participation and exciting work at the 2021 USITT Conference and Expo.
###
Editor’s Contact:
R. Duane Wilson, Secretary/CFO
American Society of Theatre Consultants
PO Box 22
La Luz, NM 88337
secretary@theatreconsultants.org
1-855-800-2782
Website: https://theatreconsultants.org/
Supplemental Photos & Graphics:
Emerson College:
Project Images:
https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/challenge-2019/ASTC-USITT-2019-Emerson-College-submission-1.jpg
https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/challenge-2019/ASTC-USITT-2019-Emerson-College-submission-2.jpg
https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/challenge-2019/ASTC-USITT-2019-Emerson-College-submission-3.jpg
Students, Faculty Advisor & ASTC Mentor: https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/challenge-2019/ASTC-USITT-2019-Emerson College-Lustig-Award.jpg
From Left: Keith Cornelius, Faculty Advisor, Tyler Ericson, Jonah Free, Dan Karlin, Jackson Lasseter, and Joshua Grossman, ASTC Mentor. Not pictured: Ryan Healey (student member) and Scott Pinkney, Faculty Advisor.
Florida State University:
Project Images:
https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/challenge-2019/ASTC-USITT-FSU-Reno-Challenge-2019-3.jpg
https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/challenge-2019/ASTC-USITT-FSU-Reno-Challenge-2019-4.jpg
Students, Faculty Advisor & ASTC Mentor: https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/challenge-2019/ASTC-USITT-2019-Florida-State-University-Directors-Award.jpg
From left: Jim Lile, Faculty Advisor, JD Davis, Braeden Ingersoll, Jackson Golden, Cliff Glowacki, Zachary Briscoe, Christopher Sprague, ASTC mentor. Not pictured: Erin Collopy, Kassidy Loburn, Ryan Ponsell, and Austen Whipple.
Robert Long, FASTC
October 25, 2018- The American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) is pleased to announce that at the Fall 2018 Forum meeting held in Chicago on Oct. 13, 2018, two members were recognized and awarded the title of ASTC Fellow for their outstanding service to the society and to the profession. Robert Long, FASTC of Theatre Consultants Collaborative, Inc. and Jim Read, FASTC of George C. Izenour Associates are recipients for 2018.
Mr. Long, a theatre consultant for over 35 years, has served as ASTC Board President for three terms and has taught technical production and theatre design courses at Columbia and Yale Universities and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Paul Sanow, ASTC stated, “Highlights of Robert’s career and contributions include a distinguished body of performing arts planning and design work, substantial publications in support of our profession, and co-creation of the “ASTC Presents…” history series for the
Jim Read, FASTC
International Association of Venue Managers.”Mr. Read has been a member of ASTC for over 30 years and has served as the ASTC President for 6 years as well as Vice-President and Director for 10 years, and has served as chair of the ASTC Ethics Policy Committee since its creation. R. Duane Wilson, ASTC noted, “Professionally, Jim has served the theatre industry in many significant ways, including creating historically significant products such as the portable solid state dimmer six pack (Century Edkotron system and later the TTI six pack) and motorized winch controls (Dartmouth and Jones Hall.)”
A very limited percentage of the membership of ASTC can be named Fellows, so this is a significant honor. ASTC was founded in 1983 and currently has 75 full members representing 28 consulting companies in the US and Canada. Now in its 35th year, since 2011,
Donald Guyton, ASTC
ASTC has awarded the honor of Fellow to ten members. You can learn more about ASTC Fellows at: https://theatreconsultants.org/members/fellows-of-astc-fastc/Also at the Fall 2018 Forum, Donald Guyton of the New York office of Auerbach.Pollock.Frielander was admitted into membership after having demonstrated a broad range of capabilities and experience necessary to fulfill the ASTC requirements. A complete list of members and their contact information is available on the ASTC website: https://theatreconsultants.org/members/astcmembership-roster/
April 2017 Entrants to the 5th annual ASTC USITT Renovation Challenge presented their projects on March 10th at the 57th USITT Conference in Saint Louis, Missouri. The challenge is designed to engage undergraduate and graduate students in real world theatre renovation problem solving. Students work under the guidance of a faculty advisor and a mentor from the American Society of Theater Consultants. Each team selected an existing venue, developed a scope of work for improvements and presented their ideas to a live audience and Jury of ASTC members at a USITT Conference Session.
2017 Honor Award: Florida State University – From left: Challenge Chair – Michael McMackin, FASTC , Johanna Miller, Erin Collopy, Zachary Brisco, and ASTC Mentor – Todd Hensley.
The $1,000 Edgar L. Lustig Honor Award was given to Johanna Miller, Erin Collopy and Zachary Briscoe undergraduate architecture students from Florida State University for their project in which they proposed to renovate the Drama Department’s Lab Theatre for back stage and front of house functional improvements. Their Theater Consultant mentor was Todd Hensley, ASTC and their faculty advisor was Jim Lile.A Merit Award was given to Erik Carter of University of Oregon for his comprehensive renovation proposal for Oregon Historical Society. Erik’s Theater Consultant mentor was Paul Luntsford, ASTC and their faculty advisor was Hajo Neis, PhD.
A Merit Award was also given to Jessica Gilliard, John Munoz, Christina J Martin, Victoria Vitola, Sarah Schwartz and Kurt
Thormodsen for their thoughtful renovation plans for the San Diego State University Experimental Theatre. Their Theater Consultant mentor was Jim Tetlow, ASTC and their faculty advisor was Anne McMills.
Mike McMackin, FASTC, served as the Chairman of the Renovation Challenge. The jurors were Andrew Gibbs, ASTC, Van Phillips, ASTC, Peter Scheu, ASTC and Robert Smulling, ASTC.
Juror Andrew Gibbs acknowledged, “Three carefully conceived and well-executed presentations were presented to the jury. We had our challenge to select the Honor Award winner.
From left: Michael McMackin,FASTC, Erik Carter, Paul Luntsford, ASTC
The jury reviewed all three projects thoroughly and in the process we enjoyed looking at three thoughtful renovations. Best wishes to all three teams. I look forward to the next challenge opportunity and hope to once again be a part of it.”
Students and educators who would like to benefit from the next Challenge should consider incorporating this opportunity in their academic schedules. Future ASTC USITT Venue Renovation Challenges will be held on odd years, the next taking place in 2019 with presentations in Louisville, Kentucky. The Challenge will alternate years with the USITT Architecture Commission’s Ideal Theatre Competition.
Samples of this year’s work, past Challenge submittals and general information are available on the ASTC Website at theatreconsultants.org. We look forward to more participation and exciting work at the 2019 USITT Conference and Expo.
June 20, 2017– La Luz, NM — The American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) is pleased to announce they have selected Susan J. Lustig as an Honorary Member of the Society because of her significant, numerous and meritorious contributions to ASTC. ASTC’s Honorary Membership classification is intended to provide an avenue for the Society to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves by providing eminent service to the advancement of the profession of Theatre Consultation or in the allied Theatre Arts and Sciences.
Since 2006, Susan has served ASTC and its Board of Directors in a variety of roles associated with the creation of graphics, marketing and overall promotion of the Society and its activities. Her efforts have focused on enhancement of the Society’s web presence and the design of its 2nd and 3rd generation websites.
Susan composed the Society’s LinkedIn, FaceBook and Wikipedia pages, created and distributed numerous press releases, created ad copy and oversaw the conversion of the Society’s newsletter from print to digital format. Her association with ASTC has grown to the point where the Board of Directors seek her participation in all issues concerning the Society’s marketing and public relations, as well as its outgoing communiqués and “brand.”
In addition to her graphics and website design work, Susan has produced and designed numerous shows and award winning attractions for major theme parks, museums, exhibits, corporate theatre, special events, and television. Universal Studios, Disney, PBS, Showtime, American Honda and Cartier are amongst her many clients. Susan’s education includes an M.F.A. in theatre design from New York University, and a B.F.A from Southern Methodist University.
With her selection, Susan becomes the first 2nd generation Member of ASTC as her father, Edgar (Ned) Lustig was one of ASTC’s Founders and served with distinction as its Secretary-Treasurer for over thirty years.
A theatre consultant is a professional advisor who provides guidance, advice and support to owners and design teams for the planning, design and equipping of theatres, concert halls and other types of facilities used for public assembly and presentation of the performing arts. ASTC was founded with the mission to establish and maintain best practices within the theatre building design industry. As professionals, ASTC members have individual and collective interests in providing unbiased, functionally sound and practical consulting and design services to owners, users, architects and engineers on performance and assembly facilities.
May 10, 2016- The American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) has recognized two members for their outstanding service to the society and to the profession at its Business Meeting held in conjunction with the USITT Annual Conference in Salt Lake City.
Robert Shook, FASTC
Robert Shook, FASTC of Schuler Shook and Michael McMackin, FASTC of Auerbach Pollock Friedlander are recipients for 2016. Mr. Shook has served as ASTC Board President, started the Publications Committee and has a distinguished body of performing arts design work. Heather McAvoy, ASTC stated, “In addition to serving as our President, Bob has been a consistent and significant contributor to the growth of ASTC and to the theatre architecture industry in general through his design work, teaching and participation in associated organizations.”
Mr. McMackin has served as the ASTC President and Vice-President, has contributed to many initiatives of the society and has a portfolio of high quality performing arts design. Edward Kaye, ASTC noted, “Mike is the epitome of an individual deserving Fellowship recognition as he has rendered significant service to ASTC for so many years, including several terms as President.” A very limited percentage of the membership of ASTC can be named Fellows, so this is a significant honor.
Michael McMackin, FASTC
ASTC was founded in 1983 and currently has 73 full members and two associate members representing 31 consulting companies in the US and Canada. Now in its 33rd year, ASTC has now awarded the honor of Fellow to five members.Also at the Spring Business Meeting, Joshua C. Allen of Theatre Consultants Collaborative (TCC) was admitted into membership after having demonstrated a broad range of capabilities and experience necessary to fulfill the ASTC requirements.
Grace Gavin Rhodes of Wrightson Johnson Haddon Williams (WJH&W), who was a member in the past, has been returned to active status after time out of the country. A complete list of members and their contact information is available on the ASTC website: https://theatreconsultants.org/members/astcmembership-roster/
April 26, 2016– Three teams presented their projects for the 2016 ASTC-USITT Renovation Challenge on March 18 at the USITT Conference in Salt Lake City. The Renovation Challenge has been designed to engage undergraduate and graduate students in real world theatre renovation problem solving. Students work under the guidance of a faculty advisor and a mentor from the American Society of Theatre Consultants. Each team selected an existing venue, developed a scope of work for improvements and presented their ideas to a live audience and Jury of ASTC members at a USITT Conference Session.
The $750 Honor Award was given to KelseyLiz Habla and Charles Canfield, undergraduate architecture students from University at Buffalo for their adaptive-reuse project in which they proposed to renovate the historic Cyclorama Building in Buffalo, which currently houses an accounting firm, into a new indoor home for the theatre company Shakespeare in Delaware Park. Their Theatre Consultant mentor was Steven Friedlander, ASTC, with faculty advisor Jon Shimon.
The Merit Award was given to Nick Saiki, Adam Crowell, Andrew Diamond, and Jeremy Dominik of the University of Cincinnati – College Conservatory of Music for their comprehensive renovation proposal for the Patricia Corbett Theatre. Their Theatre Consultant mentor was Paul G. Sanow, ASTC, and their faculty advisor was Stirling S. Shelton.
Mitchell Cramond, 3rd year MFA candidate at the Yale School of Drama presented a proposal for an adaptive-reuse project renovating the Yonkers/Genwood power plant into a multi-venue educational and performing arts facility. His team members included Michael Hsu and Spencer Hardy. Their Theatre Consultant mentor was Gene Leitermann, ASTC, and their faculty advisor was Matt Welander.
Mike McMackin, FASTC, served as the Chairman of the Renovation Challenge. The jurors were K. Paul Luntsford, ASTC, Heather McAvoy, ASTC, and Robert Smulling, ASTC.
The Jury acknowledged, “The Challenge participants impressed the jury with their creative use of the unique architectural features of the structures they chose to work with, while balancing practical considerations of theatrical function and audience comfort and experience.”
Students and educators who would like to benefit from next year’s Challenge should consider incorporating this opportunity in their academic schedules. Details for the 2017 Challenge to be presented at USITT 2017 in Saint Louis, Missouri, are available on the ASTC Website at theatreconsultants.org. For information contact Michael McMackin at mmcmackin@auerbachconsultants.com. We look forward to more participation and exciting work at the 2017 USITT Conference and Expo in Saint Louis, Missouri.
For the 2017 ASTC/USITT Student Theatre Renovation Challenge:
Applications Due: October 31, 2016, 5:00 PM EST (complete information & forms are available from the ASTC website: ASTC-USITT 2017 Renovation Challenge).
Submissions Due: February 10, 2017 5:00PM EST; USITT Conference Presentation Date & Time TBD.
Cincinnati, Ohio April 2– The American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) Annual Meeting for 2015 was held March 21, 2015 at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati, Ohio in conjunction with the USITT meeting. At this meeting a new Board of Directors and Officers were elected as well as the acceptance of a new ASTC Full Member.
The Board of Directors is the governing body of ASTC and is elected by members. The board members elect ASTC officers from the current board. Peter Rosenbaum will now serve as ASTC President with Chip Ulich serving as Vice President. Returning as Secretary/CFO is R. Duane Wilson. These officers also serve as board members with the addition of directors Scott Crossfield, Ed Kaye, Mike McMackin, and Peter Scheu.
ASTC is also pleased to announce that D. Andrew Gibbs has been admitted into membership after having demonstrated a broad range of capabilities and experience necessary to fulfill the ASTC requirements.
D. Andrew Gibbs, Ph.D., not only is the principal theatre consultant at D. A. Gibbs Associates, but also serves as Professor Emeritus, Department of Theatre, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Through his over 30 year career, Dr. Gibbs has served as a theatre consultant for such projects as: Fayetteville High School for Performing Arts Center, Arkansas State University – Mountain Home Center for Community Development, and the First United Methodist Church in Shreveport, LA.
San Francisco, Calif. November 19– The American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) is pleased to announce the following six theatre consultants who have been admitted into membership after having demonstrated a broad range of capabilities and experience necessary to fulfill the ASTC requirements.
Accepted as Full Members:
Tony Forman, SeniorConsultant with Theatre ProjectsConsultants, Inc. Tony has over 25 years of experience working in international, regional and college theatre. Joining TPC in 2007, he has provided project management, programming, theatre planning and consultation in facility management and operations. He has served as project manager on the renovation, refurbishment and new construction of more than thirty venues for TPC.
Robert Hill, Senior Associate with Auerbach • Pollock • Friedlander. Robert joined the San Francisco office in 2006 working as project manager, senior consultant and designer. He brings more than fifteen years of technical theatre and theatrical lighting design experience to the firm, including work on more than 100 operas in the United States, including company lighting designer for the San Francisco Opera. His work with Auerbach Consultants has ranged from corporate conference centers, large Las Vegas venues to university auditoriums.
Albert “Rusty” Cadaret, Founding partner with TSG Design Solutions. Prior to the 1995 founding of TSG Design Solutions,Inc., Rusty worked as a technical manager and director for an array of theatres. With a strong background in audio systems engineering and on-site installations, he has worked on various projects from amphitheatres to college multi-use auditoriums and theatres.
Paul Luntsford, President and Principal Consultant, PLA Designs, Inc. With an educational background in architecture and engineering, Paul has been a facilities design consultant since 1976. He has a portfolio of projects national in scope, consisting of professional and educational performing arts centers, broadcast facilities, museum and theme park attractions, neighborhood churches and mega-church worship centers.
Upgraded from Associate to Full Membership:
Harold “Chip” Ulich, Project Theatre Consultant, Schuler Shook. Chip’s theatre background includes his work as Technical Director and Director of Operations at Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix and Special Projects Director for Scottsdale Cultural Council. Joining Schuler Shook in 2006, Chip has combined his experience in theatre operations and building management with his knowledge of lighting systems for a wide range of performing arts venues.
Paul Sanow, Consultant, Bill Conner Associates LLC. After a brief stint with the New Mexico Repertory Theatre as master electrician, Paul joined Vincent Lighting Systems where he worked for 15 years collaborating with lighting representatives, engineers and consultants developing new projects. Paul has worked with Bill Conner Associates since 2007 consulting on projects for high schools, colleges and regional theatres.
Edgar L. Lustig to Receive First Honorary Fellow
ST. LOUIS, MO October 18—At the annual meeting of the American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC), held this year in St. Louis, MO, it was announced Edgar L. Lustig has been named as the first Fellow of ASTC (FASTC).
Jim Read, ASTC President stated; “The Fellows membership category has been established to honor members who have rendered conspicuous service or made notable contributions to the advancement or diffusion of the knowledge of theatre consulting, or the fostering of its practical applications, and who have rendered significant service to the ASTC in multiple fashions. In recognition of decades of service to ASTC and his contribution to the world of theatre, we are proud to announce the elevation of Ned Lustig to the most honored status of Fellow of the American Society of Theatre Consultants.”
Edgar (Ned) L. Lustig has been a theatre consultant for forty-six years. As a founding member, he has served as Secretary-Treasurer since the formation of ASTC in 1983. He has made prodigious contributions in technical theatre as technician, manager, technical director, manufacturer, designer and consultant. Lustig is known for his inventions and innovations in theatre and lighting equipment technology, most notably the dimmer affixed to the lighting instrument. His consulting work includes The Ferrara Theatre in America’s Convention Complex, High Point University’s Hayworth Fine Arts Center, University of Chicago’s Mandel Hall, Wright State University’s Recital Hall and Drake University’s Fine Arts Center. In addition Lustig has contributed his talents as set and lighting designer for theme park work at Busch Gardens Tampa and Williamsburg.
A theatre consultant is a professional advisor who provides guidance, advice and support to owners and design teams for the planning, design and equipping of theatres, concert halls and other types of facilities used for public assembly and presentation of the performing arts. ASTC (https://theatreconsultants.org/) was founded with the mission to establish and maintain best practices within the theatre building design industry. ASTC has a continuing interest and involvement in the evolution of building codes and has been a major catalyst in the development of all of the major building and life safety codes pertaining to performance facility design.
The seventy-three ASTC members are comprised of professional theatre consultants who have demonstrated a broad range of capability and experience necessary to qualify for membership. As professionals, ASTC members have individual and collective interest in providing unbiased, functionally sound and practical consulting and design services to owners, users, architects and engineers of performance and assembly facilities. These interests are reflected in the objective and programs of the ASTC.