Theater Talkback: The Exploding Art of Set Design

NYTimes.com: "Conversation turned to taxidermy as a couple of friends and I awaited the start of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” the other night. This is not a favorite topic, needless to say, but it sprang naturally to mind because our seats at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater were directly underneath a stuffed horse suspended upside-down from the ceiling of the theater.

When It Comes to Collaboration, Technology Is Overrated

gigaom.com: "Organizations tend to believe in collaboration as a means to make employees more productive and improve the way the institutions work. However, most businesses and vendors selling collaboration tools go about it the wrong way, according to David Coleman, managing director of Collaborative Strategies, speaking at the Net:Work conference held today in San Francisco.

Speaking of Dialect - Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University: "'Don Wadsworth always brings 100 percent commitment to everything he does,' said Matt Bomer (A'00), star of the USA Network's hit series White Collar.

Is Spiderman working without a net (profit) on Broadway

firemark.com: "The Hollywood Reporter reports that the $65 Million production of Spiderman on Broadway will take two or three years running at 100% capacity to recoup its investment.

The President Just Saved You $2,500 in Tuition Costs!

The White House: "The media narrative over the last 2 days has refused to focus on a key component of the President’s tax deal that affects young people – the $2500 American Opportunity Tax Credit for people pursuing a college education. Make no mistake – without the President’s tough negotiations on tax breaks for the wealthy, Republicans would have successfully gotten rid of one of President Obama’s key fulfilled promises to young people: a $2,500 credit for each year of college.

Cirque in 3D?

Cirquefascination.com: "Mike Fleming over at Deadline.com has an exclusive this morning – James Cameron (Avatar, Titanic) and Narnia director Andrew Adamson are shooting a 3D film starring and financed by Cirque du Soleil. Here’s what he has to say.

Quick Takes: Not a Good Way to Pay Your Tuition Bill

Inside Higher Ed: "Five Columbia University students were arrested Tuesday on charges of selling drugs to fellow students, and a prosecutor said that one of the students said he was using some of the profits to pay for his tuition, Bloomberg reported.

TOMCAT Announces 2011 Hoist & Rigging Workshop

iSquint.net: "TOMCAT is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2011 Hoist & Rigging workshops on February 16-19 in Midland, Texas. A team of world-class instructors has been assembled to deliver the Hoist & Truss workshop and the Rigging & Truss workshop. This ETCP recognized training program will provide a unique, hands-on-learning experience for participants interested in receiving both basic and advanced training in their area of specialization: hoist or rigging.

Directors and studios reach deal on a new labor pact

Los Angeles Times: "That didn't take long, but then it rarely does with the directors. The Directors Guild of America and the major studios said Tuesday that they had concluded a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract.

daniel arsham: avalanche

designboom.com: "artist daniel arsham has just completed avalanche, his second collaboration with the merce cunningham dance company.

Universal Studios puts real money into virtual stage

Los Angeles Times: "Virtual reality is settling in at Universal Studios. No, Universal is not opening a new theme park attraction. Instead, the 98-year-old studio is taking a big leap into the future with a giant “virtual stage,” its latest effort to lure more production and postproduction business to its back lot in Universal City and help keep filming in Los Angeles.

Review: Cast livens PICT's classic 'Hobson's Choice'

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "For a play that's nearing its centennial, 'Hobson's Choice' offers a surprisingly lively evening of theater. Much of the credit goes to the cast of this Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre production, most notably its leads Michael Ball, Derdriu Ring and Simon Bradbury who inject vigor, conviction and good humor into their portrayals.

Personality Test: Prime Stage Theatre's Wayne Brinda

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Wayne Brinda -- the founder and artistic director of Prime Stage Theatre, known for bringing youth literature to life -- divides his time between the theater and his role as assistant professor of secondary education at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, where he spends his weekdays during the school year. A North Hills native, Brinda and his wife, Connie, live in Freedom with their two cats, Conner and Casey.

‘The Tempest’ by Julie Taymor, With Helen Mirren - Review

NYTimes.com: "Messing around with Shakespeare is the bedeviling vice of directors. Saving him from their excesses is the great and noble duty of actors. This tension between extravagantly visionary stage (or screen) craft and disciplined acting may be the story of Shakespeare in our times. It is certainly present in the latest filmed version of “The Tempest,” directed (and also, according to the credits, written) by Julie Taymor.

Theater Talkback: The Exploding Art of Set Design

NYTimes.com: "Conversation turned to taxidermy as a couple of friends and I awaited the start of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” the other night. This is not a favorite topic, needless to say, but it sprang naturally to mind because our seats at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater were directly underneath a stuffed horse suspended upside-down from the ceiling of the theater.

‘My Last Play’ by Ed Schmidt, in His Brooklyn Living Room

NYTimes.com: "TWO years ago Ed Schmidt, a New York playwright, got word that his father was near death in upstate New York. He bundled his family into the car and drove north, explaining to his young children on the way the sad fact that Grandpa might not recognize them when they got there. As it happened, they arrived minutes too late; Willie Schmidt, a former history teacher and camp director, had died, probably as they were parking the car.

Jeremy Hunt outlines plans to boost art donations

BBC: "Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced plans to help boost private funding for arts organisations. The 10-point plan includes an £80 million match-funding scheme to be set up to encourage private donors.

DGA and Studios Reach Tentative Deal

backstage.com: "The DGA and the AMPTP reached a tentative deal after about three weeks of negotiations, but the rest of the town will have to wait a little longer to learn the details: the guild announced only that the details would be disclosed 'once the agreement has been submitted to the Guild's National Board for approval at a special board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 8.'

Lawsuit Claims Film School Overstates Job Opportunities

backstage.com: "A new proposed class action targets the Los Angeles Film School and Los Angeles Recording School for alleged deceptive practices in attracting students by over-promising jobs in the entertainment industry.

MPTF to Survey 200,000 Members Regarding Health Care

backstage.com: "Following recent controversies about its direction, the Motion Picture Television Fund said Wednesday it will survey about 200,000 members of the entertainment industry concerning their future health care needs.