The many layers of performance and specifications in motion control

www.motioncontroltips.com: In high-precision motion control, system performance is often judged simply by the specifications of the mechanics alone. The actuators are typically sorted by a standard set of specifications such as repeatability, accuracy, and load capability. For many applications, this is all that’s required. Others will need an understanding of those specifications to make sure the basic assumptions for them are met during installation. Achieving true precision, however, requires a deeper understanding of the full motion control system from the mechanics to the motors, drives, and controls.

Stop Block Hack For Beginners

www.obsessedwoodworking.com: A stop block is a small jig that guarantees repeatable, consistent cuts by giving stock a fixed place to register against a saw fence.

Judging Panel Revealed for 2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize

Playbill: Founded in 1978, the Prize is the largest and oldest international prize honoring female and non-binary playwrights across the world who have written English-language plays. The winner of the 2026 Prize will be announced on February 26 in a special invitation-only celebration at London’s Royal Court Theatre.

Parallel Guide Jig For Table Saws

www.obsessedwoodworking.com: The parallel guide jig is a shop-made alignment tool that references the table saw’s miter slot to create a dead-parallel reference face for aligning a misbehaving fence.

Eric Price and Phillip Christian Smith named recipients of 2026 Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre

www.broadwaynews.com: The Kleban Foundation has announced the recipients of its 36th annual Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre. Eric Price was named most promising musical theatre lyricist and Phillip Christian Williams the most promising musical theatre librettist. The prizes will be presented by Kleban board members Richard Maltby Jr. and Maury Yeston in a private ceremony at the offices of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers on Feb. 2.

Review Roundup: Carrie Coon, Namir Smallwood and More Star in BUG on Broadway

www.broadwayworld.com: Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting the first Broadway production of Tracy Letts' acclaimed play Bug. The Broadway premiere of sci-fi thriller is directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer. Read reviews for the production! Bug stars three-time Emmy Award nominee and Tony Award nominee Carrie Coon as Agnes White, Namir Smallwood as Peter Evans, Randall Arney as Dr. Sweet, Jennifer Engstrom as R.C., and Steve Key as Jerry Goss.

Public Domain in 2026: 'Georgia on My Mind,' 'Dream a Little Dream of Me'

www.rollingstone.com: Each year, dozens of classic songs, movies, and other cultural works reach the 95-year copyright maximum in the U.S., officially becoming part of the public domain. In 2026, a few beloved compositions from the 1930s are now free for anyone to use.

San Francisco's Iconic Bottom of the Hill to Close After 35 Years

www.ticketnews.com: San Francisco’s Bottom of the Hill, an intimate, 360-cap venue in Potrero Hill, has welcomed rock superstars like Green Day, Oasis, The White Strips, and Alanis Morrissette over the years. However, after 35 years in operation, the venue has officially decided to close its doors at the end of 2026.

Best Drill Bits for Metal: What We're Using in 2026

Pro Tool Reviews: Metal drilling is common, but since metal varies widely, so do the drill bits you should use. In this article, I’ll share the best drill bits for metal that we’ve used and recommend. I’ll also share the most important things to consider as you’re looking for the right bit to drill through soft metals like aluminum, hardened metals, and stainless steel.

EU called on to stamp out ticket touts by European live events industry

Access All Areas: More than 130 representatives from across Europe’s live events industry have signed an open letter calling on the EU to stop ticket resale abuse. The letter to EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath claims that, despite the introduction of stricter rules for reporting and removing illegal ticket resale offers, enforcement is severely lacking.

Milwaukee Packout Is Great, But This Underrated Alternative Costs A Lot Less

www.slashgear.com: Milwaukee Tools has ranked among the most respected tool manufacturers in the game for several decades now. As popular as the brand's hand tools, power tools, and accessories are in the consumer market, one could argue that the company's tool storage options have become a sort of standard bearer for the entire industry. The brand's Packout storage options have become synonymous with words like "innovative" and "durable."

Broadway Bound Kids Perseveres a Turbulent Landscape for Arts Education with a Star-Studded Benefit Concert

www.broadwayworld.com: The stage belongs to everyone and no one believes that more than Broadway Bound Kids (BBK), a nonprofit dedicated to providing empowering and inclusive arts education to New York City youth. BBK’s mission has always been to provide transformative and accessible performing arts programs to young artists and their communities that face societal and financial barriers.

Washington National Opera Launches New Website; Kennedy Center's Rick Grenell Throws Trump-Like Tantrum Over Breakup

OperaWire: The Washington National Opera has launched a new website with information about its program. The new website includes a letter signed by Andy Pharoah, Timothy O’Leary, Francesca Zambello, and Eric Larsen in which they announce the end of the company’s partnership with the Kennedy Center.

Leading with Risk, Trust, and Intuition: An Exclusive Interview with Director Charles Newell on Berlin's Rehearsal Room

The Theatre Times: A towering figure in Chicago theatre, Charles Newell—former Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director of Court Theatre and 2024 Joseph Jefferson Special Award recipient—discusses the five-year process of directing Berlin, illuminating how invention, team-building, and intuitive risk-taking shaped the production and offering heartfelt advice to aspiring directors.

Patent filing reveals upcoming Disney theme park holograms

Boing Boing: Theme park expert Len Testa revealed on his podcast The Disney Dish that Disney is developing a new holographic system for its ride systems that will appear to put characters closer to your vehicle than ever before.

What Do The Strange Code Symbols Stand For On Your Snap-On Tools?

www.slashgear.com: Snap-on has been making its own tools in the U.S. for decades now, and throughout that time, the company has become world-renowned for building some of the most durable and high-quality tools on the market.

Writing Across Taiwan and Macau: An Interview with Taiwanese Playwright Chiao-Jung Chen

The Theatre Times: It’s very hard to define Chiao-Jung Chen as one kind of artist, for she is someone who works fluidly across genres. She has worked as a playwright, a librettist, and a lyricist on various productions for the past ten years, with her plays and musicals being staged in both Macau and Taiwan. Outside the theatre, she is a comics writer whose work Sea You There and Us has garnered a worldwide fanbase. Her versatility makes any attempt to confine her to a single title seem blasphemous of her devotion to storytelling.

The Vivero celebrates new Latiné voices at City Lit

Chicago Reader: Latiné theater in Chicago has been having a renaissance in recent years, thanks in part to the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) and the annual Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theater Festival. But particularly during a time when Latiné communities are under fascist assault, uplifting and supporting the voices of Latiné writers has taken on a new urgency.

How a school program from Baltimore is using hip-hop to teach social-emotional skills

PBS News Weekend: Nationwide, schools are looking for better ways to connect with students and support their emotional well-being. A Baltimore-based organization called “We Do It 4 the Culture” is using hip-hop and storytelling to help students learn empathy and express themselves.

Engaging with art is good for your health, new analysis reveals.

Artsy: We all might think that art is good for us, but now scientists are adding to research that’s making it official. Daisy Fancourt, a professor of epidemiology at University College London, is about to make a case for the arts that is anything but subjective.

Fast skates, high stakes: the raucous roller derby show taking over Sydney town hall

Theatre | The Guardian: The roller derby skater Maddy “BB Gun” Wilkinson has speed and scale on her side. The 24-year-old jammer (primary point-scorer) for the Adelaide team the Wild Hearses is 156cm tall (“I push just 5’ 1”, maybe”) and easily weaves between small gaps left by the opposing team, shielded by taller teammates from the scanning eyes of their rivals.

Zama Magudulela Will Join THE LION KING Tour as Rafiki

www.broadwayworld.com: The North American tour of Disney’s The Lion King will welcome Zama Magudulela as Rafiki. Magudulela will begin performances on Tuesday, January 13 in Sacramento at the Safe Credit Union Performing Arts Center, where the award-winning musical begins a three-week return engagement on Wednesday, January 7 and plays through Sunday, January 25, 2026.

New play ‘Prairie Park’ to get industry reading

www.broadwaynews.com: The new play “Prairie Park,” which tells the story of deeply entrenched family feuds against the backdrop of a struggling Western-themed amusement park in Tampa, Florida, will have an invitation-only industry reading on Jan. 9. The property was previously titled “The Legend of Prairie Park.”

Mamdani Says Theater Should Not Be ‘a Luxury’ as He Hands Out Free Tickets

The New York Times: New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, was elected on an affordability agenda focused on free buses and child care. On Friday, he extended that agenda to the arts, handing out vouchers for free tickets to a long-running theater festival of experimental work and declaring that culture should be more accessible to the city’s residents.

Tommy Tune's Archives Will Be Housed at the University of Houston

Playbill: The personal archives of ten-time Tony Award honoree Tommy Tune are going to the University of Houston, where the Nine and Grand Hotel director earned a Master's of Fine Arts in 1964. The collection includes more than 50,000 costumes, scripts, design sketches, choreography notes, photos, and personal letters covering Tune's long career as an actor, artist, director, choreographer, and writer. The collection is coming to the Texas university as a gift from Tune and his sister, Gracey Tune.

Sonia De Los Santos Cancels Kennedy Center Performances Due To 'Current Climate'

www.broadwayworld.com: Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sonia De Los Santos has canceled her scheduled performances at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, citing concerns about the current climate at the venue, according to The Washington Post.

How to stay productive as the world burns

Fast Company: If it seems impossible to focus on work—or anything else, for that matter—amid all this troubling news, you’re not alone. Plenty of research in recent years has shown that Americans are overwhelmed by the state of politics and feel a heightened sense of anxiety over the news cycle. There’s also clear evidence that doomscrolling and constantly absorbing negative media can interfere with our physical and mental health.

Disneyland's RISE OF THE RESISTANCE Closes Indefinitely

Nerdist: Ever since it opened in 2020, Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Opens in a new tabGalaxy’s Edge has been a signature attraction at Disneyland. The Anaheim theme park got its version of the ride several months after the one in Walt Disney World. But for Star Wars fans, it was worth the wait. It stands as one of the greatest dark rides in history, and has had nothing but long lines since it opened.

Disney Employee Struck by Prop Boulder at 'Indiana Jones' Stunt Show

variety.com: A Disney World Hollywood Studios employee was struck by a prop boulder during a showing of the “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!” stage show after the 400-pound rubber sphere became displaced from its track.

LaChanze on her journey to Broadway producer

New York Theater: I am so honored to be here with APAP, a community that lives at the intersection where art meets audience, where dreams meet logistics, where imagination meets budget spreadsheets, and still, somehow, magic happens. This evening, we’re talking about scarcity and abundance, and I want to start with a truth that changed my life. Scarcity is a mindset.

Bosch 18V Cordless Ratchet Breaks New Ground for Team Blue

www.protoolreviews.com: Bosch is breaking into new territory with its first 18V cordless ratchet. Today, I’m going to walk you through its performance and design highlights and show you what sets this model apart so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your tool arsenal.

Eye For Film: Costume expert Catherine George on working on films including Mickey 17 and Die My Love

www.eyeforfilm.co.uk: As this year’s awards season kicks fully into gear, it’s a good time to remember all the craftspeople whose work on everything from make-up to production design hugely contributes to the success of films, even if it often does so without drawing attention to itself. In the world of costume, Belfast-born Catherine George has had a stand-out year, providing outfits for Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson in Lynne Ramsay’s Die My Love, Pattinson again in Bong Joon Ho’s Mickey 17 and the ensemble cast of Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother.

This experimental camera can focus on everything at once

The Verge: A camera lens, historically, can only focus on one thing at a time, just like the human eye. That could be a thing of the past, though, thanks to a breakthrough lens technology developed by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) that can bring every part of a scene into sharp focus, capturing finer details across the entire image, no matter the distance.

Leadership Changes at Woolly, DTC, Skylight, and More

AMERICAN THEATRE: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company has announced actor, director, playwright, educator, and arts strategist Reggie D. White as its next artistic director. He is the third artistic leader in Woolly’s 46-year history, following the seven-year tenure of Maria Manuela Goyanes, who stepped down in September 2025, and Howard Shalwitz, the company’s co-founder, who led the theatre for 38 years.

Paul Tazewell Reveals Wicked Costume Design Secrets That Demand a Rewatch

Broadway Buzz | Broadway.com: Audiences around the globe can marvel at Paul Tazewell's talent as a costume designer, thanks to the recent home entertainment release of Wicked: For Good. But Broadway fans have been privy to Tazewell's creations long before his historic 2025 Best Costume Design Oscar win for the first Wicked film. A two-time Tony winner, Tazewell is behind Hamilton's 18th-century silhouettes and Death Becomes Her's glamorous, illusion-heavy gowns. His other Tony-nominated works include The Color Purple, In the Heights, Memphis, A Streetcar Named Desire, Ain't Too Proud, MJ and Suffs.

Lady Gaga’s Paralléle Dress in the “House of Gucci”

seamracer.wordpress.com: Copying a deliciously deluxe dress from the designer Emanuel Ungaro, seen on Lady Gaga in the movie “House of Gucci”, has been something I have wanted to accomplish for myself since 2021. I had the precise vintage Vogue pattern used for the movie’s vintage dress, the necessary satin had already been custom printed to suit, and I was excited to feel one step closer to wearing such an elegant item.

Here Are All The Music Festivals You Can't Miss In 2026 In Vegas

secretlasvegas.co: Vegas never sleeps! That means massive club nights, iconic pool parties, and some of the world’s most legendary festivals. Whether you’re into late-night techno or craving a rock-filled throwback to your teenage years, there’s something for everyone – here’s a look at the best festivals in Vegas in 2026.

Isaiah Bailey Stars in "The Phantom of the Opera" at Broadway In Chicago

www.newcitystage.com: When Isaiah Bailey came on stage near the end of last August’s Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert to perform “Music of the Night,” the audience greeted him politely. It’s the signature song from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” of course, and here was another rendition. But as soon as he took the stage, Bailey made time stand still as he quietly intoned its familiar lyrics.

The audience is howling and drooling over Filament Theatre’s latest show, literally

Chicago Sun-Times: Portage Park’s Filament Theatre is trying a novel approach for their latest show: The audience is allowed — even encouraged — to howl, take over the stage, drool, snooze if they wish. A couple of audience members on Wednesday even burped, prompting cooing from the actors. To experience this spectacle for yourself, you need to be of an age at which walking is still a future aspiration — or be the carer of someone at that stage of life.

How Simon Franglen Brought Punk Energy and Mongolian Instruments to "Avatar: Fire and Ash"

The Credits: The audible experience of an Avatar film is as ambitious as the groundbreaking visuals. With both familiar and otherworldly cues, composer Simon Franglen develops textured cues and themes that draw audiences into the story. Together with the sound effects, Franglen, his orchestra, and collaborators deliver another transportive score in James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash.

The Fantasticks, Reimagined as Gay Love Story, Is Aiming for Broadway

Playbill: A reimagined version of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt's record-breaking Off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks is currently in development for Broadway under the direction and choreography of Tony winner Christopher Gattelli (Death Becomes Her, Newsies).

Discounted Chicago Theater Week tickets go on sale for 75 productions, including Goodman, Steppenwolf

Chicago Sun-Times: “The biggest thing about Chicago Theater Week is access,” said Alexis Davis, director of marketing at the League of Chicago Theaters, the group organizing the popular annual sale. “Sometimes ticket prices throughout the year can be expensive. For Chicago Theater Week, we’re offering tickets at $30, $15, or even less, depending on the participating show. This makes bigger name shows and theaters more accessible to our entire community.”

EXCLUSIVE: Costume Designer Neha Bajaj opens up on reinventing her craft for Toxic: “It took me from realism to a visually charged world”

Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama: Costume designer Neha Bajaj, best known for grounding characters in realism across projects like The Family Man and Guns & Gulaabs, is stepping into markedly new territory with Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups. In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Bajaj opens up about moving away from understated realism to designing a stylised, glamorous cinematic universe—one that introduces striking new looks for Yash, Kiara Advani, and Huma Qureshi.

Community Theatre League, Millbrook Playhouse earn BroadwayWorld award nominations

News, Sports, Jobs - Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Two Central Pennsylvania theater companies are being recognized on a regional stage, as Millbrook Playhouse and Community Theatre League have received nominations in the 2025 BroadwayWorld Central Pennsylvania Awards.

Nominations Announced for the 2026 Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards

Morningstar: The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) has announced the nominations for the 13th Annual MUAHS Guild Awards, presented by L'Oréal Groupe and Giovanni Eco Chic Beauty. Winners will be honored at the Valentine's Day awards gala on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles. The announcement was made by Julie Socash, President of MUAHS, IATSE Local 706.

The Sewing Hui seeks holiday funders for ‘Stitching Futures’ costume mentorship

Maui Now: The Sewing Hui of Maui is trying to close a $16,000 funding gap by Dec. 31 for its program “Stitching Futures: Costume Design & Production Mentorship Program.” This free, hands-on mentorship program offers comprehensive training to Maui’s aspiring teen and young adult costume designers and technicians. Topics include costume design, production, portfolio development, and college/career pathway support.

Avatar: Fire and Ash costume designer breaks down best Pandora looks

www.goldderby.com: Ask any member of the extended Avatar family — from breakout star Oona Chaplin to composer Stephen Franglen — and they'll tell you that the best is yet to come for James Cameron's blockbuster franchise. With the third installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash, currently making major bank in theaters, it's only a matter of time until Cameron decides whether or not to pull the proverbial trigger on Avatar 4 and 5, currently set for release in 2029 and 2031, respectively. And the director's go-to costume designer, Deborah Lynn Scott, confirms the longstanding account that select scenes from the yet-to-be-named fourth chapter have already been filmed.

OK, now I’m going to extol 'Book of Fringe’

DC Theater Arts: Little did I know then how halcyon those delirious days at funky Fort Fringe would turn out to be. Little did I know then how much imagination and determination would go into operating the Festival next out of Fort Logan in Northeast. Little did I know then how tenuous the Festival’s future would be as, nomadlike, it set up venues here and there in Southwest, Georgetown, and downtown again. For 17 sweltering DC summers, from 2006 to 2024, Capital Fringe was by far the coolest show in town.

Forget Keanu: Ulster Scots translation of Beckett classic takes on spate of celebrity Godots

Samuel Beckett | The Guardian: Beneath a stark steel tree in a bleak upland bog, a literary masterpiece is set to assume a different linguistic mantle. Samuel Beckett’s enigmatic tragicomedy Waiting for Godot will make its world premiere in Ulster Scots, a moment described as a “coming of age” for the minority language, and the antithesis of the trend for celebrity Godots.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting Formally Shuts Down

www.hollywoodreporter.com: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is formally dissolving several months after its federal funding was rescinded, but with a plea for public media to continue.

Nearly 100K Sign Petition to Suspend Kennedy Center Funding

www.ticketnews.com: A petition organized by the advocacy group Qommittee in partnership with MoveOn has garnered nearly 100,000 signatures calling on major donors to suspend funding for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts until artistic independence is restored, according to the petition’s online tally.

Portland City Council Approves Fee Targeting Large Venues

www.ticketnews.com: The Portland City Council has approved a new fee that targets large entertainment venues, stemming from the widespread backlash over plans to erect a Live Nation-backed concert hall in the city. According to The Maine Wire, the ordinance creates a new licensing category for venues holding more than 2,000 people, requiring them to pay between 1% and 2% of ticket sales into the newly-established Entertainment Sector Trust Fund.

Béla Fleck cancels Kennedy Center appearance, says it's become 'charged and political'

NPR: The noted banjo player Béla Fleck has canceled three performances scheduled for next month with the National Symphony Orchestra, or NSO, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Fleck, who has won 18 Grammy Awards and often performs with symphonies around the country, is the latest artist to cancel engagements at the Kennedy Center amidst many administrative and curatorial changes at the Washington, D.C. arts complex.

CES 2026 Digital Hollywood: Is AI Ready For Its Close-Up?

www.forbes.com: If you think AI buzz is loud out in the rest of the world, here at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) taking place this week in Las Vegas, the blare of hype is deafening. But at the Digital Hollywood sessions looking at the future of entertainment and marketing, panelists from the media, advertising, content and production industries are trying to separate the signal from the noise, focusing on the use cases from the past year that provide measurable business value.

Marty Supreme Costumes & Sets: Josh Safdie Perfected Every Detail, From Underwear to Women’s Tights

fandomwire.com: Along with taking his signature high-intensity storytelling to the next level, filmmaker Josh Safdie’s approach to the costume design and aesthetic on Marty Supreme is also something to study. In an interview with Variety, costume designer Miyako Bellizzi revealed how Safdie wanted to capture the essence of the Jewish immigrants’ fashion statements from the ’50s.

Theater 2025: Frogs on the street, thrills and chills onstage

Oregon ArtsWatch: Aside from the nationally famous amphibian who cavorted in front of the ICE facility in South Portland, though, our theaters were alight with the passion and profound insights brought to us by an array of directors, actors, musicians and designers. Not only has their work sparked conversation and mirrored the pain and joy of being human – in general and specifically in 2025 – these artists offered us something we all crave: delight and entertainment.

On ‘Heated Rivalry,’ the clothes do more than just fall to the floor

The Washington Post: The chatter around HBO’s hit hockey romance series “Heated Rivalry” has mostly been about the scenes without clothes. And deservedly so; let’s give shapely butts and thoughtful intimacy coordinators the recognition they deserve. At every opportunity, preferably.

'Father Mother Sister Brother' Costumes: Using Red, Tom Waits' Hoodie

variety.com: Jim Jarmusch‘s “Father Mother Sister Brother,” now in theaters, is made up of three very different segments, each with a notable cast discussing the nature of their family relationships. One thing they have in common is a specific color: A deep red, the color of a jammy merlot, is a throughline that appears in each character’s contemporary clothing.

Dallas Theater Center Names Jaime Castañeda as New Artistic Director

Playbill: Texas' Dallas Theater Center has named Jaime Castañeda its new artistic director. Castañeda is the sixth artistic director in the theatre's more than 60-year history, overseeing its artistic programming. He will assume his role in June 2026. He takes over for Interim Artistic Director Jonathan Norton.

Guarding the Future of International Artistic Exchange at the 2025 IPC Convening

HowlRound Theatre Commons: The International Presenting Commons (IPC), a volunteer group of United States–based performing arts presenters and creative independent producers, was created to combat the chaos of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an environment of uncertainty and fear, members decided that quick, decisive, and future-oriented action was needed to not only sustain but evolve a thriving global arts exchange.

HEATED RIVALRY The Musical? 'I Hope So,' Says Series Author

www.broadwayworld.com: Will Crave's hit, new, queer hockey series be skating to Broadway? Maybe! In a recent interview with Variety, Heated Rivalry book series author Rachel Reid revealed that she hopes the series could land on stage.

As MTV Goes Away, So Does the Global Stage That Made Artists Like David Bowie Icons

collider.com: Alongside many other vital pieces of ‘80s and ‘90s memorabilia, MTV has officially rung its bell. While its main channel, famously housing reality shows and reruns, will continue to operate, all remaining 24-hour music-focused MTV channels (including MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live) have ceased broadcasting globally as of December 31, 2025.

From 'Sesame Street' to 'Nova,' CPB’s legacy faces an abrupt end

Fast Company: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced this week that it would officially shut down, ushering in an uncertain new era for the future of public broadcasting. The organization historically administers funds for NPR, PBS, and more than 1,000 local TV and radio stations nationwide.

Floating drones stream light, water and sound in synchronized shows

newatlas.com: Traditional fountains are all very well and good, but … they have a way of always staying in the same place, in the same configuration. Arivia is out to change that, with fleets of synchronized illuminated aquatic drones that shoot out water while playing music.

Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: Lenn C. Harris and the Oakland Scottish Rite

Drypigment.net: In 1927, Thomas G. Moses hired Lenn Harris as his on-site assistant for the Oakland Scottish Rite scenery project. Very little is left of Harris’ contribution to American theatre. Over the years, there are a few artists whose story I just can’t let alone. Harris is one of them. I have spent far too much time tracking down the life and career of Lenn Charles Harris (1889-1930). In many ways, I have far more questions now than when I began in November 2025.

Here’s What’s Entering the Public Domain in 2026

mymodernmet.com: This year, the U.S. public domain will grow even larger, thanks to the addition of thousands of copyrighted books, iconic characters, and artistic masterpieces from 1930. As of January 1, 2026, protections have lapsed for everything from the original Betty Boop to Agatha Christie’s The Murder at the Vicarage, allowing anyone to use or build upon these works for free and without permission.

'Stranger Things' costume designer dismantle Max's look from season 5

www.thenews.com.pk: As viewers pore over every detail of the closing chapter, the show's costume designer Amy Parris and hair department head Sarah Hindsgaul recently sat down with Us Weekly to unpack some of the visual Easter eggs woven throughout the first installment season, including one particularly complex look tied to Max, played by Sadie Sink.

Marty Supreme Costume Designer on Timothee Chalamet Menswear Inspo

variety.com: A short film from the experimental filmmaker Ken Jacobs, documenting the predominantly Jewish immigrant life in Manhattan’s Lower East Side in 1955, served as a main reference point for Josh Safdie and costume designer Miyako Bellizzi when building out the bustling downtown world in “Marty “Supreme.”

Why Percy Jackson proves Vancouver's film crews are among the world's best

Urbanized: For decades, Vancouver has doubled as cities around the world. What the second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians reveals, however, is something deeper than versatility. It showcases a concentration of craft — costume designers, prop builders, set decorators, sculptors, painters, engineers, and coordinators — capable of building entire fantasy worlds from the ground up. Not virtually. Not hypothetically. But physically, in wood and steel, leather and foam, fabric and paint.

SITE JOINS COSTUMERS AND CUSTOMERS

wwd.com/fashion-news: Dressing like Buffy, a Freak or a Geek may soon be just a click away. With the technology in place for interactive television — with which the consumer can click on an outfit she sees on the TV screen and order it immediately (WWD, June 23, 1999) — comes a new twist to dressing like TV stars.

Is the Costume Controversy in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Actually Fair?

collider.com: The first trailer for Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is here, and as expected, it sparked some controversy. Many people wasted no time in pointing out how strange and straight-up historically inaccurate most of the armor and costumes look, a concern that has been voiced repeatedly since the first image of Matt Damon as Odysseus was released.

‘This was so scary, guys.’ – A Job Seeker Showed What Happened When AI Conducted Her Job Interview

 TwistedSifter: The AI interviewer continued, “Thank you for taking the time to interview today. As a sales associate at Club Pilates working the front desk, your main tasks include reaching out to leads, inviting them for an introductory Pilates class, and guiding them through our membership options to sign them up.”

Chroma-Q’s Color Force 3 is LDI’s 2025 Best Debuting Product for Lighting

LightSoundJournal.com: Chroma-Q® is honoured to receive this prestigious award, continuing a legacy of excellence and “Brilliant Solutions.” This recognition is especially meaningful as Chroma-Q previously earned this honour for its ground-breaking Color Force™ and Color Force II™ fixtures when they were first launched – products that set new standards in the industry and paved the way for today’s innovation.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting Dissolving After Cut Funding

www.indiewire.com: Public media took a major blow to begin the new year. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which for decades has helped fund public shows on PBS like “Sesame Street” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” is no more.

Hands On WIth The Raspberry Pi Compute Module Zero

Hackaday: We are all familiar enough by now with the succession of boards that have come from Raspberry Pi in Cambridge over the years, and when a new one comes out we’ve got a pretty good idea what to expect. The “classic” Pi model B+ form factor has been copied widely by other manufacturers as has their current Compute Module. If you buy the real Raspberry Pi you know you’ll get a solid board with exceptionally good software support.

Wicked Composer Stephen Schwartz Vows Not to Appear at Kennedy Center

hollywoodreporter.com: In a statement, Schwartz, who notes he was part of the opening event at the Kennedy Center, said the institution is “no longer apolitical” and that he will not appear there, “as long as that remains the case.” The composer told The New York Times that he had been asked to host a gala event for the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center in May.

Taking a bow in your 90s: These nonagenarians get their big breaks on stage in NYC

NPR: Professional actors and singers are like athletes. They use their bodies constantly, performing up to eight times a week. Remarkably, three different women in their 90s have been gracing New York stages this season. Reporter Jeff Lunden caught up with them - barely.

Apply for the John Michael Kohler Arts Center’s 2027 Arts/Industry Residency

Colossal: The John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC) is now accepting applications for the 2027 Arts/Industry residency, a three-month program hosted by Kohler Co. in Kohler, Wisconsin. More than 600 artists have benefited from this celebrated artist residency since its beginning in 1974.

Amanda Seyfried Danced in 45 Pounds of Wool for 'The Testament of Ann Lee'

www.wmagazine.com: As the star of The Testament of Ann Lee, now in theaters, Amanda Seyfried faithfully threw herself into the role of the film’s titular founder of the 18th-century Shakers movement—and into her cumbersome, period-accurate costumes, by designer Malgorzata “Gosia” Karpiuk.

The Brad Pitt fitting that decided the look of the "F1" movie

Yahoo News Canada: A single costume fitting with Brad Pitt proved to be one of the most consequential creative moments within the making of the F1 movie, as it not only decided on the aesthetic of Pitt's character, but also of the whole production.

3 Steps to Staying Fresh in Your Role

Church Production Magazine: Perhaps more than any area of church ministry other than pastor, an alarming number of church techs struggle with burnout each year. While some are able to push through that season and find restoration, many others choose to leave their position in ministry because of the unhealthiness that accompanied that role.

Stagehand 101: Staying Safe On the Road in 2026

richardcadena.substack.com: In the winter 2019 edition of Protocol magazine, I wrote an article titled “To the new touring tech: staying safe with electrics.” It was intended to help new techs work safely while they earned their keep. Little did I know that just one year later, the Pandemic would rear its ugly head and devastate the industry, forcing lots of talented and experienced techs out of the live event production industry, some of whom were never to return again.

Costume Designer Discusses Ted Danson's Stylish Transformation in A Man on the Inside Season 2

SSBCrack News: In the second season of the heartfelt comedy series, viewers are introduced to an elevated version of Charles Nieuwendyk, played by the ever-charismatic Ted Danson. Once an architect, now a private investigator, Charles embodies a sense of style that is hard to ignore. Costume designer Kirston Leigh Mann has taken great care to design outfits that reflect Charles’s meticulous nature while enhancing his transformation into a more sophisticated sleuth. Fans of sharp suits and stylish apparel will undoubtedly appreciate the character’s new wardrobe.

How a Barrie-based theatre company became Sondheim’s home

www.thestar.com: The church basement where Talk Is Free Theatre rehearses, in Toronto’s east-end Danforth neighbourhood, looks like any other. It’s framed by yellow walls and HVAC ducts that wind across the ceiling. In one corner, mismatched armchairs are stacked into a group of tall towers. Below, you can feel the occasional rumble of the subway trains passing underground.

Jessie Buckley Wins Critics Choice Award For HAMNET; Full List of Winners

www.broadwayworld.com: Jessie Buckley won the Critics Choice Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film adaptation of Hamnet. The film received 11 nominations and took home just one. Wicked: For Good, which received 7 nominations, did not win any.

Music From George Gershwin, Betty Boop, and More Enter the Public Domain

www.broadwayworld.com: Four songs by George and Ira Gershwin, Betty Boop, Nancy Drew, and many more are among the intellectual properties that have officially entered the public domain, as part of Public Domain Day 2026. Observed every January 1, Public Domain Day marks the day when copyrights expire and works enter into the public domain.

How creatives are using AI to transform the way they work with images

Design Week: AI is changing the design world. For many creatives, its most useful, interesting and exciting role will be as a tool, to help them with difficult and time-consuming processes. Image-upscaling is a perfect example of this kind of process.

How Vancouver Film School Prepares Students for Industry Jobs

www.hollywoodreporter.com: Inside one of Vancouver Film School’s downtown studios, managing director Jon Bell stands amid a sea of animation students drawing on graphics tablets and glowing screens. The scene illustrates how physical space, digital technologies and human connection have helped position the school alongside institutions such as USC, the American Film Institute and CalArts, without the hefty American tuition fees.

Paper Cutting

Cool Tools: You razor-cut things on this mat, and unlike other materials it won’t accumulate a field of cut marks to misguide your blade. The self-healing rubber keeps the surface uniformly smooth, clean, and firm. And protects your table.

3 Amazon Basics Tools Worth Buying (And 1 To Steer Clear Of)

www.slashgear.com: Amazon has a vast selection of tools in its ever-expanding catalog. Not only does it offer the most common power and hand tools from some of the biggest names in the tool game, but it also has its own label, Amazon Basics. This Amazon-exclusive line, which also includes various other products like decor, kitchen items, and more, has slowly branched out into the world of tools in recent years — although its efforts are a mixed bag.

A small shop in Saguenay, Que., sewed up the contract to dress Canada’s highest court

CBC News: Romaine LeGallou heard the Supreme Court of Canada was turning 150 and needed a wardrobe update. And after that, everything seemed to happen so quickly. She expressed interest. She got a call to make a pitch. Her company was chosen. Then the real work began.

Nominations Announced for the 2026 Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards

www.lelezard.com: The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) has announced the nominations for the 13th Annual MUAHS Guild Awards, presented by L'Oréal Groupe and Giovanni Eco Chic Beauty. Winners will be honored at the Valentine's Day awards gala on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles. The announcement was made by Julie Socash, President of MUAHS, IATSE Local 706.

Is this the world’s largest outdoor LED TV installation?

AV Magazine: A private estate owner who is a huge football fan has had a 12 x 7 metre, 4K LED screen installed behind the swimming pool in his garden. The IP66-rated LED screen was mounted less than 100 metres from the sea on an island off the east coast of Africa.

Costumes of Kylie, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Amy Taylor and more showcased in new DIVA exhibition

ABC News: Think of the term 'diva' and you might not necessarily conjure up an image of an Aussie punk rock singer rocking a two-piece get-up made of pink Whoopee Cushions. But the outfit, worn by Amyl and the Sniffers punk singer Amy Taylor on stage at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl in January, is apparently bang on for a modern-day Australian diva.

#9: A Worthwhile Pursuit: Behind The Scenes On New Systems For A Popular Nashville Live Venue

ProSoundWeb: Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, located in historic Printers Alley in downtown Nashville, has a long overdue sound system upgrade that commenced last year. The two-story building is a typical downtown retail location with dimensions of 75 feet long, 40 feet wide and a ceiling height of about 30 feet, offering seating for up to 200 patrons.

The Historic Mayan Theater in L.A. Will Reopen as a Nightclub in 2026

www.timeout.com: The historic Mayan Theatre, the ornate 1927 movie palace known for its Mayan revival architecture and dramatic interior, is set to reopen early in 2026. According to a new Instagram account for the venue, expect a "revamped and reimagined" nightlife venue, one that will hopefully breathe fresh life into a space that’s been central to DTLA culture for nearly a century.

13 Of The Best Power Tools You Can Buy At Harbor Freight (According To Users)

www.slashgear.com: Power tools are often required in various professional fields. Be it automotive, woodworking, or plumbing, there is no doubt that power tools reduce working time while also making the execution of certain tasks easier and more effortless by reducing the physical efforts that would otherwise be required.

This 'Stranger Things' Season 5 Theory Says the Broadway Play Spoiled the Ending

Business Insider: "Stranger Things: The First Shadow" opened on London's West End in December 2023 before moving to Broadway in April 2025. Playwright Kate Trefry, who is also a writer on the Netflix series, described the play as the "missing puzzle piece" in the show's official narrative.

2025: A Blockbuster Year in Pittsburgh Theater

onstagepittsburgh.com: When we look back on 2025 from some future date, the most memorable moments may be a particular performance or production, but the most consequential are likely to be what was happening behind the scenes at Pittsburgh Public Theater, City Theatre and Pittsburgh CLO. If “affordability” is the watchword of the year in politics, then “sustainability” is the key to the future in theater, and the arts in general.

Leo Villareal’s Light Installation at 270 Park Avenue

www.curbed.com: Leo Villareal’s latest artwork is so big that, in order to step back from the metaphorical easel and take it all in, he needs to be ten blocks away and 42 stories up. Atop a tower near Bryant Park, reachable by two service-elevator rides and down a concrete hallway, his temporary workspace is, apart from his own presence, pretty artless.