Purchase College to Honor Technical Theatre Legend David Rosenberg at "Backstage Legends and Masters Award"

	David Rosenberg

Purchase College, State University of New York's Broadway Technical Theatre History Project, will present the Seventh Annual Broadway technical "Backstage Legends and Masters Award" to esteemed theater legend, David Rosenberg on Monday, April 22, 2019, at 7:00pm.

Rosenberg joins previous Backstage Legends and Masters honorees Artie Siccardi (2012), Arnold Abramson (2013), Fred Gallo (2014), Gene O'Donovan (2015), Pete Feller, Sr. (2016), Joseph B. Forbes (2017), and Alyce Gilbert (2018).

Rosenberg spent the first 25 years of his career working in scenic shops, as an Off-Broadway electrician and as a touring stage manager and production manager. After he was ensconced in the business, Rosenberg invested his savings in the purchase of iWeiss, which offers draping and rigging solutions to the entertainment industry. During his tenure at iWeiss, he oversaw the company's growth from a struggling company with fewer than five employees to a thriving industry leader with 40 employees.

He has worked on such legendary Broadway and touring productions as The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Hairspray, Angels in America, The Producers, Mamma Mia, and Kinky Boots, as well as some of the most prominent dance companies in the country including New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theatre, and Twyla Tharp. He's worked with headliners such as Celine Dion and Bette Midler in Las Vegas, and on numerous television, theatrical, and film productions as well as on the construction and renovation of numerous theaters across the country.

"David Rosenberg has had a long and distinguished career," said Dan Hanessian, associate professor at Purchase, who launched the Broadway Technical Theatre History Project in 2011. "His is a true Broadway success story. While he's known now for his successful stewardship of iWeiss, he started off working in production. With the combination of talent, hard work and perseverance, David was able to bridge life backstage with his vision for iWeiss and turn it into one of the leading soft goods and rigging companies out there. I look forward to the wisdom he can share with our students who are just starting out their backstage careers," he said. Hanessian trains up-and-coming technical directors and production managers in the design/technology program of the conservatory of theatre arts at Purchase.

The free event will take place in the Performing Arts Center on the College's campus at 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, New York. It will be webcast live and archived for future viewing.

Backstage Legends and Masters and the Broadway Technical Theatre History Project, founded by Hanessian, is an annual public presentation spotlighting individuals who have been central to the realization of Broadway productions for many years, but are not typically provided recognition through the Tony or Drama Desk awards. Each year, an individual is selected by a panel of distinguished professionals who represent a variety of Broadway production specialties.

"The goal of the Broadway Technical Theatre History Project is to create a living history of the shops and technical personnel who have played a role in the realization of Broadway productions," Hanessian explains.

This information will be available to the public in a centralized database. The project will also include a visual history and timeline of the shops. For more information, contact Hanessian at dan.hanessian@purchase.edu or (914) 251-6854.

The Theatre Design/Technology Program at Purchase College is housed in the Conservatory of Theatre Arts, the professional training program emphasizes studio and classroom training, all under the guidance and support of established and theatre industry professionals. Many of the programs' alumni are recognized at the top of their field, and have received Tony, Emmy, Obie, and Drama Desk awards, among other honors. Purchase grads are working in or have worked in every theatre on Broadway, in all Tristate venues, and with countless touring productions. After the common freshman-year curriculum, students may choose to concentrate in scenic design, costume design, lighting design, costume technology, state management, or technical direction/production management.

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