USITT Helps 12 More Schools Make Their Stages SaferA dozen more schools across the country will get free inspections of their stage rigging and free safety training through the United States Institute for Theatre Technology's Rigging Safety Initiative. Thanks to an Arbor Day Campaign that played on "arbor" as a theatre term for rigging framework, USITT raised almost $7,000 for the Rigging Safety Initiative in April, allowing it to increase the number of schools served in the latest round of funding. The 12 new schools approved for rigging inspections and training are: Everett High School in Lansing, Michigan; Topeka High School in Topeka, Kansas; Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham, Alabama; Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Iowa; Broadripple Magnet High School in Indianapolis, Indiana; Sycamore High School and Winton Woods High School, both in Cincinnati, Ohio; Walter Johnson High School and Holton-Arms School, both in Bethesda, Maryland; and two Colorado schools, Arapahoe High School in Centennial, and Ranum Middle School in Denver. USITT, the national association for live entertainment designers and technicians, aims to instill best safety practices early in students' lives, and help schools obtain top-notch inspections and training. USITT launched the Rigging Safety Initiative two years ago with a $25,000 contribution from J. R. Clancy Inc. in Syracuse, New York. The program offers inspections of school rigging systems by ETCP-certified professionals, plus a four-hour training class on proper use of the system for up to eight staff members and students. The effort has since gained three more sponsors -- ETC of Middleton, Wisconsin; Shepard Exposition Services of Atlanta, Georgia; and H&H Specialties, Inc. of South El Monte, California, noted USITT executive director David Grindle. "With help from donors and partners, USITT is spreading backstage safety to schools that otherwise might put off costly inspections and safety training. Thanks to participating contractors, USITT can provide these services for about $1,000 per school," Grindle said. USITT has offered two rounds of funding per year and is making awards to at least 10 schools each round. "Our eventual goal is to say, 'Yes' to every school that applies," Grindle said. 
|
