USITT Innovation Gallery & Stage Spotlight the Latest in Entertainment Technology

Eleven cutting-edge entertainment technology companies will present their latest breakthroughs -- from tiny gobos to compact audio monitors, to 3-D design software to LED tape -- at USITT's Innovation Gallery & Stage, part of USITT's 2014 Annual Conference & Stage Expo March 26 - 29 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Innovation Gallery & Stage is among this year's featured offerings, including:
• an International Pavilion where live entertainment associations from other countries share space and interact;
• "Watch Them Work," a drawing/drafting/rendering station where attendees can see the likes of set designer Eugene Lee and artist Jim Bakkom stop by to sketch;
• Sound Lab, an interactive design experience that will feature live sound mixing with state-of-the art audio products for on-site bands in Fort Worth, and
• Scenic Artist Showcase, a giant display of stage backdrops created by scene-painters around the world.

Innovation Gallery & Stage debuted at USITT 2013 to showcase the newest technology at Stage Expo. It's an exhibit where attendees can examine and learn about the latest products, and an adjacent stage where manufacturers give 20-minute presentations demonstrating their innovations.

The Innovation Stage events will be held at times that don't conflict with the Conference's 200-plus educational sessions, events, and activities. A schedule of all events can be found at www.usitt.org and the USITT 2014 mobile app.

Over 5,000 people are expected to attend USITT's four-day Conference & Stage Expo, to take career-building workshops and continuing education sessions, attend award ceremonies and design and tech competitions, network with peers and rub shoulders with backstage stars like SNL and Wicked set designer Eugene Lee, Hollywood costume designer Ann Roth, and SIM sound designer Bob McCarthy.

The advances being unveiled at Innovation Stage include Darklight's Gantam series of brilliant gobos that fit in the palm of a hand; German Lighting Products' Impression Spot One, a high-powered RGB LED automated spot fixture; Nemetschek Vectorworks' Spotlight 2014 software; and Elipsis Audio's Bebè, a small monitor.

Enttec Americas, RC4 Wireless, Mega Systems Inc., Alcons Audio, Creative Conners, Eilon Engineering, and City Theatrical also will be introducing new creations.