Feminist theatre on trial in Russia – the latest in Putin’s purge of contemporary culture

theconversation.com: The savage purging of independent thought and creativity among Russian intellectuals since Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine continues apace.

If you want to know how free a society is, look at what’s happening in its theatres

Arifa Akbar | The Guardian: A play should be an act of moral imagination,” said the late British playwright Edward Bond, who died three months ago and who, in his lifetime, spoke about theatre’s absolute right to address the most difficult issues of its day.

Glastonbury is the envy of struggling music festivals and must continue to support upcoming artists

theconversation.com: Glastonbury festival is not the only major musical event happening in the UK this year. Plenty of others will be staged in parks and fields and beaches over the summer, but none will be as well attended – or receive anywhere near the same amount of attention.

Review Roundup: Holland Taylor and Ana Villafañe Star in N/A

www.broadwayworld.com: Read reviews for the world premiere of the new play N/A by Mario Correa starring Emmy Award-winner & Tony and Drama Desk Award-nominee Holland Taylor and Ana Villafañe.

Broadway-bound musical ‘Studio 54’ is in development

www.broadwaynews.com: A new musical titled “Studio 54,” chronicling the history of the iconic New York City hotspot, is in development. Produced by Robert Greenblatt and Neil Meron, the musical will feature a book by Chad Hodge and a slew of previously written disco tunes. Sergio Trujillo will serve as both director and choreographer. Joanne Horowitz is the production’s consulting producer.

Wookiees, Witches, and Costumes: Jennifer Bryan’s Magic in ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’

The Art of Costume: In a galaxy not so far away, costume designer extraordinaire Jennifer Bryan invites us behind the scenes of Star Wars: The Acolyte, revealing the secrets and inspirations behind the stunning costumes of this new chapter in the Star Wars saga. From the royal ascension robes of Mother Aniseya to the intricately detailed Jedi attire, Bryan shares her journey of sourcing rare fabrics, fitting towering Wookiees, and infusing vibrant colors and diverse cultural influences into the costumes. Join us as we delve into the meticulous craft that brings the rich tapestry of Star Wars to life, one stitch at a time.

Review Roundup: BACK TO THE FUTURE Launches National Tour; Read the Reviews!

www.broadwayworld.com: The National Tour of Back to the Future the Musical is now underway! The tour kicked off in June 2024 at Proctors in Schenectady, New York, and will continue through Summer 2025.

L-Acoustics gives Marshall studios world-class concert sound for unique recording studio and live space

LightSoundJournal.com: “They are super musical, and for me, they are the pinnacle of live sound,” beams Adam Beer, Studio Manager at Marshall Studios when discussing the new L-Acoustics professional sound system that now resides at the core of the facility’s impressive live performance space. The studio offers everything from recording, mixing, and general music production while also boasting a podcast studio, a photography studio, and even a conference space.

The play that changed my life: ‘I fell in love with Hamilton – it gave me confidence for my own script’

Stage | The Guardian: My agent said: “They want to see you for this show, Hamilton.” I had never heard of Alexander Hamilton but I knew it was hip-hop. I’m not really that kind of performer. My agent said: “Just listen to it.” When I did, I thought the person who has written this is obviously aware of all of musical theatre. They’re aware of Sondheim, they’re aware of Kander and Ebb – and Gilbert and Sullivan, even.

City Theatre's Marc Masterson on 50 years of Pittsburgh theater

90.5 WESA: If you want the long view on Pittsburgh’s theater scene — some 50 years’ worth — you could do worse than talking to Marc Masterson, who this week retires as co-artistic director at City Theatre.

How ‘critical karaoke’ is helping researchers to explore the music of Taylor Swift

theconversation.com: In honour of Taylor Swift’s three concerts at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium this summer, the University of Liverpool hosted Tay Day (Liverpool’s Version), an academic conference on Taylor Swift and her music on June 12. Each presentation explored Swift from a different critical perspective. While it was an academic event, there were fun pop aspects such as friendship bracelets, attendees in sparkles – and even a round of “critical karaoke”.

Summer Dance Festival Season Is in Full Swing

www.dancemagazine.com: Summer dance festival season is heating up across the country—and the pond. Here’s what to look out for.

The lawsuit that could bring reggaetón to its knees

theconversation.com: There is a landmark copyright case looming in the music world. In late May 2024, a federal court in California issued a decision to continue a litigation involving the lucrative reggaetón genre. This legal action could have a lasting negative impact on such a genre as more than 160 defendants are being sued by the Jamaican company Steely & Clevie Productions for alleged copyright infringement.

Hippotizer at core of 60m-pixel immersive installation at Bieszczady Cultural Heritage Center

LightSoundJournal.com: Sixty million pixels of content is being driven to 18 HD projectors and three LED screens as part of an immersive installation at Poland’s Bieszczady Cultural Heritage Center, with tvONE’s Green Hippo Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers at the core of the visuals. More than 200GB of animated graphics are being handled by the Boreal+ MK2s in a show designed to educate, inform and entertain.

Deaths at Hajj and Big Events Highlight Failures to Adjust to Heat

The New York Times: At large events all over the world, the scenes of extreme heat stress are starting to look familiar. Older men, shirts undone, lying down with their eyes closed. Aid tents packed with the unconscious. And lines of the faithful — whether they seek religion, music, ballot boxes or sport — sweating under slivers of shade.

Is Hollywood Really Doing Enough to Stop Climate Change?

www.hollywoodreporter.com: In April, Paramount Pictures senior vp Douglas Rheinheimer, who oversees facility operations for the lot, spoke at the U.S. Department of Energy’s annual buildings summit. It’s a key gathering for C-suite execs, government officials, policy experts and property owners who are thinking seriously about the practicalities of a sustainable future. Rheinheimer’s highly technical presentation about refrigerants — chemicals used in HVAC systems — touched on a point of Paramount pride: How the company had installed an alternative energy plant on its lot which has reduced CO2 emissions by a self-reported 35 percent, saving millions of gallons of water in the process. “It’s been a good thing all around,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter of the implementation. “Financially, environmentally, and also for our workforce.”

A Composer's Insight on Balancing Story Tones

No Film School: Today, we have the pleasure of chatting with the incredibly talented Sherri Chung, an award-winning composer whose music brings stories to life on screens big and small. Sherri has worked on a variety of projects, most recently scoring the Peacock original series Based on a True Story. Her work spans from HBO Max/Amblin’s Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai to the Netflix feature film Happiness For Beginners.

How to Incorporate Sustainability to Reality TV: Cyle Zezo Interview

www.hollywoodreporter.com: When Cyle Zezo left The CW last year after a decade working in unscripted, he knew he didn’t want to leave the world of reality TV behind. (He segued to a new role as executive producer, on such shows as Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Mysteries Decoded.) But he also wanted to serve his original passion for green causes. “My first job out of high school was going door-to-door for the environment,” says Zezo. “This has been important to me for my entire adult life.” So he created a new job, at the crossroads of both fields.

Major Record Labels Sue AI Start-Ups for Copyright Infringement

consequence.net: The three major record labels Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group have filed lawsuits against AI start-up companies Suno and Udio alleging copyright infringement.

Meta is incorrectly marking real photos as ‘Made by AI’

The Verge: Several photographers have shared examples over the past few months, with Meta recently marking a photo former White House photographer Pete Souza took of a basketball game as AI-generated. In another recent example, Meta incorrectly added the label to an Instagram photo of the Kolkata Knight Riders winning the Indian Premier League Cricket tournament. Interestingly, like Souza’s photo, the label only shows up when viewing the images on mobile, not on the web.

DeSantis Vetoes All Arts Grants in Florida

The New York Times: For the past 10 days, Richard Russell has been rattled, poring over budgets and working the phones in an attempt to limit the consequences of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s veto pen.

AppleTV Visual Effects Workers File For Election To Unionize With IATSE

IATSE: A supermajority of in-house Visuals Effects (VFX) workers at Apple Studios have signed authorization cards to unionize with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the union announced Friday. While Apple Studios management was asked to voluntarily recognize the VFX workers’ union earlier in the week, IATSE filed for an official National Labor Relations Board election. The election is expected to take place one to two months following this filing.

‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ at the Goodman is built on creative team surprises

Chicago Sun-Times: The key to a successful musical adaptation goes deeper than the selection of the source material. Turning John Berendt’s Southern Gothic novel “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” into a captivating theatrical experience required an award-winning creative team assembled by a native Southerner, director Rob Ashford, and the backing of a trio of Broadway producers.

'Slave Play' playwright Jeremy O. Harris is on a mission to diversify theater

NPR: The award-winning playwright talks about his provocative Slave Play, which earned 12 Tony nominations. A new HBO documentary chronicles the making of the production.

Prior to Her Tony-Winning Broadway Career, Costume Designer Paloma Young Was a Spy

Playbill: Paloma Young—whose imaginative, Tony-nominated costumes for the hit jukebox musical & Juliet are on display nightly at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre—also designed the costumes for two of this past season's new productions.

Viewpoint: IATSE Members Still Feel Left in the Dark

Labor Notes: The Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) are now several months into bargaining the Hollywood Basic Agreement—the Los Angeles film and TV contract that sets the pattern for all IATSE’s other film and TV contracts. Inspired by the transparency and mobilization that helped other unions win big contract gains last year, members are demanding more involvement.

Inside New “The Little Mermaid” Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Kingdom Insider: Grab your snorkel, because today we’re diving in with the Disney Live Entertainment creative team working “behind-the-seas” on “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” – an all-new theatrical production coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this fall.

“Bridgerton” Costume Designers Break Down the Real-Life Figures Who Inspired Season 3 Looks

ca.news.yahoo.com: Bridgerton is giving Regency era attire a modern update this season. The Netflix series has become known for its extravagant costumes, and season 3 is no exception. While the show has previously drawn from historical references with the period-accurate silhouettes and corsets, this season they’re including a few more contemporary references.

'Apples Never Fall' Costume Designer Found Inspiration in Real Tennis Stars

variety.com: “Apples Never Fall” costume designer Allyson Fanger turned to real tennis stars for inspiration when creating the outfits for a Florida family devoted to the sport. By using the players as her baseline, she found ways to inject different bits of personality into each family member’s style.

Entertainment Community Fund Adds New Board Members

Playbill: The Entertainment Community Fund (ECF) has appointed four new members to its board of trustees, including Tony winner David Henry Hwang, Robert (Toby) McDonough, Frank Nocco, and Katherine Oliver. Annette Bening will continue to serve as Chair of the board.

Architecture, Acoustics, Auralization & Emotion: An Interview With Dr. Alaa Algargoosh, A Research Fellow At MIT Media Lab

ProSoundWeb: As regular readers of this publication may know, I am hard at work pursuing a PhD in philosophy centered around the topic of Philosophy of Sound. A summary of findings from my latest research project (featuring responses from more than 1,000 professional live sound engineers and music industry professionals) is in the final number crunching and philosophical analysis stage before publication in the near future.

'Becoming Karl Lagerfeld' Costume Designer on Bringing to Life the Chanel Artistic Director

wwd.com: How do you breathe life into one of world’s most iconic fashion figures? That was the challenge facing Pascaline Chavanne, the costume designer for “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld,” the six-part TV series that hit Hulu on Friday. “I am like a caricature of myself, and I like that. It is like a mask. And for me the Carnival of Venice lasts all year long,” the late designer was quoted as saying.

UK Profile Awards For Lighting Design Announced

Live Design Online: Congratulations to all the UK Profile Award winners! The inaugural celebration of the Profile Awards took place after the ABTT Theatre Show on the June 6 at the Alexandra Palace Theatre in London. Created and coordinated by Durham and Jennie Marenghi in association with the ABTT, the ALPD and the STLD, the Awards recognize lighting design excellence.

How Costume Designer Stacey Battat Helps Bring Sofia Coppola’s Girl World to Life

www.thezoereport.com: Ever since she made her directorial debut with 1999’s The Virgin Suicides, Sofia Coppola has become known for her unrivaled and unabashed hyper-feminine aesthetic. The filmmaker never hesitates to indulge in the female fantasy, even when her characters are destined for doom.

An Interview with Chorographer Camille A. Brown

Observer: In the history of Broadway, there have been only seven Black female choreographers: Katherine Dunham, Mabel Robinson, Debbie Allen, Dianne McIntyre, Hope Clarke, Marlies Yearby and Camille A. Brown. Of those seven choreographers, three have received the prestigious Tony Award nomination for Best Choreography since the awards program began in 1947

Public Theater Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Join IATSE, Become Fifth Off-Broadway Group to Unionize

IATSE: Public Theater crewmembers have voted to join The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), becoming the fifth off-Broadway group to unionize since IATSE launched its organizing efforts earlier this year. The successful recognition vote follows organizing victories at the off-Broadway musicals “Titanique” and “Little Shop of Horrors”, as well as the Vineyard and Atlantic Theatres, where workers also voted overwhelmingly in favor of IATSE representation.

Robe T1s go “Upstream” for National Ballet of Portugal Production

www.robe.cz: Groundbreaking choreographer and contemporary dance innovator Andrew McNicol presented the world premiere of “Upstream” his first collaboration with the Companhia Nacional de Bailado (CNB) – the National Ballet of Portugal – for which he asked acclaimed lighting designer Yaron Abulafia to create scenography and lighting for the performance which was staged at the São Carlos Opera House, Lisbon, Portugal.

Malcolm Weldon, Dave Rat, & Roy Bickel To Receive Top Parnelli Honors

Live Design Online: The Parnelli Board of Advisors has announced the three top honorees for the 23rd Annual Parnelli Awards: Malcolm Weldon, Lifetime Achievement; Dave Rat, Audio Innovator; and Roy Bickel, Visionary. “This trio of live event professionals have left their mark on our industry beyond their individual prolific careers,” states Terry Lowe, Parnelli Awards Executive Producer, and Founder of PLSN/FOH magazines. “They are admired and treasured throughout the industry and for good reasons, and we are honored to honor them at our next Parnelli Awards gala.”

Netflix 'Hit Man': Glen Powell's Hair, Costume, Makeup Transformations

www.indiewire.com: “Hit Man” director Richard Linklater knew Glen Powell was a movie star the moment the young actor, with no profile, walked in to audition for “Everybody Wants Some” almost a decade ago. Linklater explained what makes the Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio movie stars go beyond their good looks and acting ability, but their charisma and how we are drawn to them.

5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Illinoise’s Timo Andres

www.broadwaynews.com: Orchestrator Timo Andres made his Broadway debut with the new musical “Illinoise.” A composer and pianist, Andres has long been a fan of the Sufjan Stevens album “Illinois,” which inspired this theatrical mounting.

The High Art of Costume Design

Puck: Last Monday, Puck and Max hosted a special event in Los Angeles to celebrate the talented costume designers behind six Emmy-eligible HBO and Max Originals series. Puck’s fashion correspondent Lauren Sherman, the author of Line Sheet, moderated the panel that included Kasia Walicka-Maimone (The Gilded Age), Kathleen Felix-Hager (Hacks), Consolata Boyle (The Regime), Christina Flannery (The Righteous Gemstones), Danny Glicker (The Sympathizer), and Giulia Moschioni (True Detective: Night Country).

Daytime Emmys To Proceed As Planned After IATSE, NATAS Strike Deal

deadline.com: Crisis averted! The Daytime Emmys will go on as planned, after IATSE threatened to picket over the production’s use of a majority non-union crew on Friday.

Ammonite Studios Presents: Soho Green Rooms

Live Design Online: Ammonite Studios today announces Soho Green Rooms, a brand-new three-day festival, which will bring together key players and creatives in the theatre and live event industries to explore the future of live entertainment. From 16 - 18 July at the Boulevard Theatre in London’s Soho, Soho Green Rooms will present three individual spaces for keynotes, panel discussions, product demonstrations, audience Q&A and networking. Tickets are on sale now and available here.

Star Wars: The Acolyte Costume Designer Jennifer Bryan Breaks Down Osha and Mae's Distinct Styles

comicbook.com: Star Wars: The Acolyte debuted on Disney+ this week, and the show's first episode revealed that Amandla Stenberg was portraying twins named Osha and Mae. Osha is a former Jedi padawan who left the order to work as a meknek. Osha is drawn back into an adventure with her former Jedi brethren after being accused of murder. Turns out, the crime was committed by Osha's sister who she believed to be dead.

Threads of History: Designing Authentic Costumes for 'Manhunt' with Costume Designer, Katie Irish

The Art of Costume: In the immersive and intricate world of costume design, few projects present as many challenges and rewards as recreating historical periods with authenticity and flair. In a captivating conversation with Katie Irish, the talented costume designer behind the acclaimed series Manhunt, we delve into the painstaking process and creative vision that brought the show’s 19th-century setting to life.

'Fallout' Costume Designer Amy Westcott

deadline.com: “The more I researched the game, the more excited I got about the prospect of working in that world and doing something like this,” says Fallout costume designer Amy Westcott. “I was up for the challenge of making it good enough for the fans, for the gamers, for the people who are really into it.”

Simpson Strong-Tie Timber Drive Structural Screw Fastening System

JLC Online: Carpenters who are employed by design-build remodelers often do things that they’ve never done before by virtue of working with an in-house design team. This is the case at TDS Custom Construction, where our carpenters and project managers are encouraged to give the design team input on what materials are specified and how assemblies go together.

Disguise Opens New 3000 sq-ft Production Studio In New York City

Live Design Online: Disguise, the visual experience platform powering ESPN’s Sports Centre, WWE’s production facility and more, has opened a new office in the heart of New York City. Featuring a state-of-the-art virtual production space with both LED and green screen stages, the 3000 sq ft facility will enable film, broadcast and live events professionals to explore how their ideas can be brought to life faster and more efficiently using real-time content visualization.

'The Proposal' Costumer Recalls 'Hilarious' Betty White in Wedding Dress Fitting Scene

people.com: Some projects — and some people — stay with you long after you leave them behind. That was the case for costume designer Catherine Marie Thomas, who worked on The Proposal, which was released exactly 15 years ago on June 9, 2009. Thomas tells PEOPLE that it was a "very special group" of people who came together to make that movie.

Why ‘Company,’ new ‘Gypsy’ casting are the future of theater

Datebook: When it was announced that Audra McDonald would be playing Rose in a new production of the musical “Gypsy” on Broadway this fall, I was completely gooped as only a person who spent his childhood memorizing original cast recordings could be.

PC Williams on Costume Designing ‘We Are Lady Parts’ Season 2

The Nerds of Color: Besides its bold writing and direction from series creator Nida Manzoor, the costuming of We Are Lady Parts is a crucial element for its profound success. Costume designer PC Williams, working with her frequent collaborator Manzoor, showcases the diversity of garb for Muslim women and the variety of ways they present themselves to the world.

Connecting Guard Posts to Deck Frames

JLC Online: I can’t count the number of different ways I’ve fastened guard posts to deck framing. But I started paying a lot more attention to this important detail in 2005, when Virginia Tech researchers Frank Woeste and Joe Loferski and their team tested common post connection details used by deck builders (see “Strong Rail-Post Connections for Wooden Decks,” JLC, Feb/05). What they found is that most commonly used post connection details would not pass the minimum code requirement of a 200-pound load (plus a 2.5x safety factor to account for variations in field installation and degradation of the connections due to time and exposure to the elements).

Showlight 2025 In Dijon, France

Live Design Online: Showlight, the much-loved quadrennial networking event for lighting professionals, will return in May 2025. The host city for the 12th Showlight will be the delightful city of Dijon in France. Please note the new dates for Showlight 2025 which, by popular demand, have moved from their traditional weekend and will take place from Monday, May 19, 2025 to Thursday, May 22 2025, commencing with the Welcome Reception on the Monday evening. The headline sponsor is Robert Juliat.

How 'Expats' Artisans Weaved Sarayu Blue's Tightly Wound Hilary

variety.com: Costume designer Malgosia Turzanska used “aggressive neutrals” when it came to building Hilary’s wardrobe. Her goal was to use costumes as camouflage and protective armor for the character. “She is an incredibly strong, powerful woman. But she’s also an incredibly hurt woman, and that goes back to her childhood,” she says.

‘Water for Elephants,’ ‘Merrily,’ ‘Illinoise’ and more will perform on 2024 Tony Awards

www.broadwaynews.com: The Tony Awards has revealed the list of shows that will perform at this year’s awards. The previously announced ceremony will feature performances from all the Best Musical nominees and the three currently running shows nominated for Best Revival of a Musical.

CITT/ICTS Rendez-vous 2024 Will Be Held in Saskatoon, SK This Summer

Lighting&Sound America Online - News: The Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology / Institut canadien des technologies scénographiques (CITT/ICTS) invites the live entertainment and performing arts community to its upcoming annual conference, Rendez-vous 2024 in Saskatoon, SK, Canada.

Interview: The 'Ripley' Costume Team Discusses Their Take on a Classic Wardrobe

Awards Radar: Netflix’s Ripley seeks to expand upon the story of Tom Ripley’s descent into lies, deceit, and homoerotic madness. As the first serialized adaptation of Patricia Highsmith‘s novel, the cast and crew had significantly more time to explore the intricacies of Tom Ripley (Andrew Scott), his relationship to Dickie Greenleaf (Johnnie Flynn), and the ever-changing circumstances of his deception. A big part of this is the costuming lead by Giovanni Casalnuovo and Maurizio Millenotti. Their work is an integral piece to selling Tom Ripley’s descent into the world of the wealthy.

Celestion Presents An Interview With Jay Peabody, Founder Of Loudspeakers Plus

Live Design Online: Loudspeakers Plus, a leading supplier of loudspeaker components to music dealers across the United States, has carved a unique niche in the industry by providing a one-stop shop for replacement and repair parts for major loudspeaker brands. With 25 years of experience, founder and CEO Jay Peabody credits the company's success to its commitment to delivering the right products at the right prices, combined with exceptional customer service.

Best Miter Saws of 2024 - 8 Top Models Tested

Pro Tool Reviews: While cordless tools may rule the roost in many circles, miter saws largely remain popular as corded solutions. Still, newer cordless models seem like they may start gaining mainstream popularity. They certainly are in the PTR Shop!

SawTrak's Scoop Dolly for material handling

Woodworking Network: Saw Trak, a material handling and woodworking equipment company, introduced The Scoop Dolly in 2022. The dolly operates similarly to a hand truck but with significant design changes. The dolly allows for omnidirectional movement, simplifying the transport of long, tall, and thin items.

ETC Realigns Executive Team, Entering Next Chapter

Lighting&Sound America Online - News: ETC announces changes to its executive staff as the company moves ahead with its next phase of growth. Several VP's on ETC's leadership team will take on new responsibilities. Each executive brings years of experience to their new role, helping the company build on its long-term success.

Dead & Company: Dead Forever Live at Sphere

Sound & Video Contractor: The Sphere residency will feature never-before-seen visual storytelling from Dead & Company, providing fans with the ultimate connection to the music through these innovative and immersive shows. Each weekend’s three performances will feature a unique setlist. These shows will utilize Sphere’s next-generation technologies, including the world’s highest resolution LED display that wraps up, over, and around the audience creating a fully immersive visual environment.

Bandit Lites Illuminates Breaking Benjamin Tour

Live Design Online: American rock band Breaking Benjamin recently wrapped their Spring tour with a lighting system from Bandit Lites. With six studio albums, two compilation albums and over 19 million units sold in the US alone, Breaking Benjamin fans have come to expect consistent, powerful performances that deliver unforgettable shows across the country.

Are All Saw Blades Created Equal? What CMT's Blades Tell Us

Pro Tool Reviews: There’s no shortage of material when covering the world of power tools. Moreover, our interpretation of what qualifies as a tool is often a limited one. In other words, when we use the term tool, we’re referring to a saw, a drill, or countless other implements. But the fact is that their accessories themselves are also tools, and just as much effort goes into their design. Great examples are the saw blades from CMT Orange Tools.

Only Murders in the Building, Hacks Production Designers Tell Secrets

www.hollywoodreporter.com: Teresa Mastropierro says that since Girls5eva began, she had a box of CDs under her desk “just waiting for their day in the sun.” So when she heard that the eponymous girl group would be performing at a mansion for a nostalgia-themed birthday party in season three’s “Orlando,” Mastropierro knew she had to put those artifacts to good use and build a curtain out of them for a stage of pure ’90s splendor.

Panasonic to put projection mist on show at InfoComm

www.avinteractive.com: Panasonic Connect will showcase solutions that support immersive entertainment, dynamic worship services and engaging corporate events at InfoComm 2024. One of the highlights will be a demonstration of the company’s Silky Fine Mist solution, which uses pressurised water and compressed air to create a small-particle mist that floats in the air and projects beams of light to create a hologram-like 3D-effect.

Safe Scaffolding, Production-Style

JLC Online: Scaffolding safety is a complicated management challenge for production builders. In Southern California, where cement stucco is the predominant exterior cladding, scaffolding is a necessity; it’s hard to apply three-coat stucco without scaffolding. But once the scaffolding is up, other trades on site also like to use it—for setting windows, for installing trim, for painting, and more.

Teamsters' Lindsay Dougherty on the Chance a Strike: 'It's Unlikely'

variety.com: Teamsters Local 399 played a pivotal role in last year’s strikes, as truck drivers honored writers’ picket lines and helped shut down production. At the same time, the union’s new leader, Lindsay Dougherty, became a star, brandishing her tattoos and launching obscenities at the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

The Church Tech's Walk of Shame

Church Production Magazine: Channel light? On. Fader? It's up. Is he wearing his headset? Yup. RF? Nada. Is the pack on? Ugh. In the loudest silent stare possible, you glance at whoever's job it was to change out the batteries. And in one quick swipe, the drawer slides open, you reach for the spare body pack, only to remember it's still not working from the last time this happened, even though you had the best intentions of sending it right in for repairs. So you grab two AA Procell's—four to be safe—and thus begins, “The Walk of Shame,” those 50 steps from the sound booth to the stage that take only 20 seconds, but feel like an eternity.

After Scarlett Johansson Dustup, AI Lobbying Group Seeks Deepfake Ban

variety.com: Scarlett Johansson called for legislation last month to outlaw AI deepfakes, after OpenAI released a voice chat demo that sounded eerily like her. Now, one of the AI industry’s leading trade groups is joining that call — urging Congress to pass legislation that would protect artists from the unauthorized use of their likenesses.

Dorian Theater Awards 2024. Queer Critics Weigh In

New York Theater: “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Oh, Mary!” received the most love at the Second Annual Dorian Theater Awards, winning four categories apiece, while “Stereophonic” won three awards, including Outstanding Broadway play, and Illinoise was voted both Outstanding Broadway Musical and Outstanding LGBTQ Broadway Production.

SA Government pledges $47m to the arts

limelight-arts.com.au: The 2024/25 State Budget has been announced by South Australia’s Malinauskas Government. Granting a total of $75.9 million for the arts and events sector, the budget dedicates $47 million in funding within the fields of theatre, opera, jazz and screen.

Leslie Odom, Jr. Was Dreaming of Purlie Victorious on Broadway All the Way Back in Quarantine

Playbill: Leslie Odom, Jr.'s Tony Award-nominated performance in Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch was a long-time coming—the actor-producer was fighting for the rights to the Ossie Davis play all the way back in quarantine.

Five recent releases for summer reading by and about key women in the theater

DC Theater Arts: Among the recently released theater publications are works by one twice-nominated and two Tony-winning women playwrights, and two books about the woman who founded a major company in DC and headed a highly respected NYC graduate program in acting.

Representation Matters in AI-Generated Images

PSC: The problem is magnified when someone is asking an AI image generator to create a picture. An image on an organization’s website that’s offensive in a given country can cost it business or relationships in that country. Some research suggests that young people who encounter negative images of people like themselves online may suffer from higher rates of depression and self-harm. And then there’s merely the shame of sharing an image that turns out to be, well, clueless, let alone offensive.

Why a Group of Artists From South Africa Are Telling the Story of America in Dark Noon

Playbill: During one part of Dark Noon, on the stage covered in red dirt, the actors start building. They erect walls, hang up curtains, move furniture. It’s supposed to represent the beginnings of the American frontier. But when South African co-director and choreographer Nhlanhla Mahlangu looks at the stage, he doesn’t see America. He sees home.

SETTING THE STAGE FOR LED VOLUMES

VFX Voice Magazine: As with any tool in the film and television industry, the LED volume is being shaped by technological advancements, budgetary requirements and artistic demands, which means the application and capability of the virtual production methodology is constantly changing.

Dolly Parton Biomusical Hello, I'm Dolly to Bow on Broadway in 2026

Playbill: Dolly Parton is headed back to Broadway. The 11-time Grammy winner will bring a biomusical inspired by her life and career to the Main Stem in 2026, with a score that will include both new, original songs penned by Parton and some of her greatest hits. Parton has also collaborated on the musical's book with Maria S. Schlatter.

UNSUNG HEROES: VFX DESIGNERS POPULATE FILMS WITH AN INVENTIVE CAST

VFX Voice Magazine: They start with an idea, sometimes just the germ of an idea. Then, once they put pencil to paper or cursor to screen, they become the first people to show the world a character or creature that had previously existed only in someone’s mind’s eye. How do they do this? The short answer is iteration. The long answer involves years of study and skill perfecting, tons of research, remarkable imagination, communication skills and, some might say, an innate talent.

Which Shows Are Performing at the 2024 Tony Awards?

Playbill: The musicals performing numbers at the upcoming 77th Annual Tony Awards have been revealed. The ceremony is set to be held June 16 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center and will be broadcast live nationwide.

Kinetic Theatre in 2024: A Mamet Double Take and a Sherlock Holmes Christmas

onstagepittsburgh.com: Andrew Paul’s Kinetic Theatre returns to Pittsburgh with a mini-Mamet Festival, plus a holiday show that marks the return of David Whalen as Sherlock Holmes. Whalen, who recently completed a rep company marathon of the Shakespeare History Plays at the Guthrie Theater, also reunites with director Paul for a revival of the 1992 drama Oleanna, one half of a “A Pair of Deuces: A Celebration of the Plays of David Mamet.”

Just like Bridgerton’s Eloise, real Regency women used muffs to express themselves – and form friendships

theconversation.com: Though anything is possible in the fantasy-Regency world of Bridgerton and the question of the show’s historical accuracy is by now a moot point, this season has stumbled upon a happy case of accidental accuracy.

They Will Survive: Theatres That Are Beating the Odds

AMERICAN THEATRE: It’s no secret that the nation’s resident theatres didn’t exactly come out of the pandemic lockdown like a lion, roaring at full volume. More like an injured cat with a muted meow. With Covid-related closures and cancellations hardly in the rearview mirror, several theatres have been forced to pause or shutter. Multiple articles have since been written (including by this magazine) that seem to portend the imminent demise of regional theatre.

MRS. DOUBTFIRE North American Tour Recoups Investment

www.broadwayworld.com: The North American tour of MRS. DOUBTFIRE, the smash hit musical comedy currently playing to audiences across North America and in London’s West End, has recouped its $5 million investment after 29 weeks on the road.

Watch: Cole Escola Shares the Secret of Their Oh, Mary! Wig

Playbill: Cole Escola dropped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon June 5—in a mustard yellow clown onesie, as one does. But more importantly, the Oh, Mary! writer and star dished on the secret of the Mary Todd Lincoln wig they wear in the show. Hint: it's all about the curl. See Escola's full segment above.

The Last Timbit is about ‘real, honest people’ not doughuts

www.thestar.com: First things first. There are neither dancing Timbits nor a chorus of crullers — at least as far as I can tell — in the upcoming Tim Hortons musical. I was sitting in a rehearsal room in the basement of Meridian Hall watching a who’s who of Canadian musical theatre talent introduce and perform three songs from the upcoming show “The Last Timbit.”

Dear England playwright to alter ending depending on Euro 2024 result

The Independent: The playwright of football play Dear England has announced plans to alter the ending of the show depending on the outcome of this summer’s Euros. After its debut at London’s National Theatre last June, Dear England will return to the stage next spring before a four-week run at the Lowry in Salford.

La Boite and Performing Lines join National Performing Partnership Arts Framework

limelight-arts.com.au: Creative Australia has announced that La Boite Theatre and Performing Lines will join the National Performing Partnership Arts Framework from 2025-2028, providing both organisations with significant, multi-year funding.

Country superstar Luke Combs stadium tour rolls on with Outline GTO

LightSoundJournal.com: The loudspeaker technology supporting the tour also continues unchanged, with SES of Mocksville NC providing a stadium-filling Outline system, combining the flagship GTO enclosures with GTO-LOW, Mantas 28, GTO C-12, LAB21-HS subs and LIPF-082s.

Public Theater Takes Shakespeare in the Park Out on the Town

The New York Times: On a small stage, three actors practiced a sword fight — slowly, then faster. Behind them board operators ran a sound check and a wardrobe assistant shook out costumes. “This is the part of theater you never get to see,” Rebecca Martínez said.

University of the Arts closure: Student reactions

WHYY: Students, faculty, alum, and other members of the University of the Arts community were stunned by the sudden announcement that the higher education institution will close June 7. On Friday evening, they took to social media to share their memories, frustration and angst.

University of the Arts in Philadelphia will close this June

www.archpaper.com: In Philadelphia, University of the Arts (UArts) officials have announced that the 148-year-old Pennsylvania institution is closing this week on Friday, June 7. The board of trustees issued a statement about the “heartbreaking transition” on June 2.

Claypaky hits the road with Metallica

TPi: Metallica’s ongoing M72 World Tour began its 2024 dates with the lighting design that Rob Koenig introduced in 2023 which featured 48 Claypaky Sharpy Plus Aqua IP66-rated beam and spot fixtures. The tour maintained an upgraded in-the-round stage design by Creative Director and Production Designer Dan Braun, which relocated the coveted audience “Snake Pit” to the centre of a ring-shaped stage surrounded by eight towers, each topped by LED video cylinders.

DRIFT brings immersive, interactive artworks and a drone performance to LUMA arles

www.designboom.com: DRIFT presents Living Landscape, an exhibition of two immersive and interactive artworks, at LUMA Arles. To mark the opening of the exhibition, the contemporary artist duo staged a drone performance above the museum’s Frank Gehry-designed tower, tracing the movement in Van Gogh’s paintings using their swarming algorithm against the night sky. Titled Electric Sky, the performance is conceived as an extension to the recently-opened group show at the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles, Van Gogh and the Stars, which celebrates the return of the Dutch artist’s Starry Night painting to Arles for the first time in 136 years.

Counterintuitive? Active Antennas Aren't Always The Best Answer For Wireless Systems

ProSoundWeb: It probably goes without saying that to have successful wireless system operation, there needs to be a good signal from the transmitter, through free space, and then through the receiving antenna, through the coaxial cable, through the distro, and into the receiver.

The German Theatre System Has a Problem With Power and Discrimination

HowlRound Theatre Commons: I was born into a family of theatre artists. When I was a boy, my parent’s friends always told me that theatre was definitely “the most beautiful place in the world.” This leitmotiv guided me for half of my life. How could it not be true—after all, it was the theatre of Goethe and Schiller, of Max Reinhard, Erwin Piscator and Bertolt Brecht! However, after my first experiences in the theatre I began to doubt the leitmotiv. I heard stories about toxic directors, abuse, and discrimination and felt it myself. I wanted to find out the truth about the conditions in German theatres.

Meet Three Nonbinary Ballet Dancers Performing On Pointe

Dance Magazine: Since the advent of the pointe shoe in the 19th century, dancing on pointe has been the province of the ballerina. Male, trans, and nonbinary dancers interested in performing on pointe had few opportunities; some men performed in the comedic drag troupe Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, or did slapstick roles like the mother in La Fille mal gardée and Cinderella’s stepsisters.

PLAYBILLDER Spotlight: This California High School's Shrek Is Their Biggest, Most Expensive Show Yet

Playbill: Welcome to PLAYBILLDER Spotlight, where Playbill highlights shows and events from educational institutions around the country (who have used Playbill's program-building service). By welcoming these PLAYBILLDERs center stage, we hope to give our readers a more in-depth look at theatre programs that are fostering the love of the performing arts in the next generation.

Will Swenson, George Abud, Natalie Walker, More Join The 24 Hour Musicals' Return

Playbill: The 24 Hour Plays will present the newest round of The 24 Hour Musicals June 10 at Classic Stage Company, and several more artists have been added to the starry lineup. The intensive theatrical endeavor sees artists write, rehearse, and perform four new musicals in just 24 hours, a feat of artistic agility.

Temple University Welcomes University of the Arts Students Following School's Closure

www.broadwayworld.com: Temple University revealed that they are welcoming students from the University of the Arts, which announced it will close, suddenly and abruptly, on June 7th.