Journey into the exciting world of 3D Visualization utilizing Trimble Sketchup Software. Click here for the pre-viewing assignment (just 5 minutes) of Sketchup fly-thrus of various projects.

Presenter: Robert Mark Morgan, is a Teaching Professor at Washington University in St. Louis. He has designed professionally in the areas of theatre, film, museum, and theme park venues. Avatar the Exhibition (museum exhibit) originally designed for Experience Music Project in Seattle toured in the U.S. and Canada for 3 years. His designs have been seen onstage nationally at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Asolo Repertory Theatre (Sarasota, FL), Indiana Repertory Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Old Globe, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Studio Arena (Buffalo, NY), Children's Theatre Company (Minneapolis, MN), Cleveland Play House, the MUNY – St. Louis, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Denver Center Theatre Company, Alliance Theatre (Atlanta), Barrington Stage, Marin Theatre Company, Magic Theatre, and American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) in San Francisco. Current projects include Into the Breeches at Cleveland Play House (Sept 2019) and Asolo Repertory Theatre (Feb 2020).

Variable room acoustics has been a topic of big interest throughout the last years. This session starts with some general background information on acoustics for theatre and vent, before focusing on practical issues for materials and solutions on site. By the use of fabrics installed as curtains or roll banners it is possible to dramatically change the acoustics of a venue due to different events taking place in one and the same room. Choosing the suiting material and using it in the right amount and correct installation can improve the acoustics event more. In addition, bass absorbing materials can be added to control the overall sound.

Presenter: Jonas Schira, is head of the acoustics department at the Gerriets headquarters in Germany and is responsible for the product development, project management, sales and marketing activities in the field of acoustics. He holds a BA in audio engineering and has several years of experience as a room acoustics expert, live musician, and audio engineer. While the field of expertise covers many room acoustic related aspects, the main focus of his work in the industry is on variable acoustics for multipurpose rooms. He has been presenting at many national and international conferences, such as the USITT, FORUM ACOUSTICUM in Boston, DAGA and many more. Jonas Schira is a part of the ISO working group for a new room acoustics standard as well as head of the room acoustics group for the Association of German Sound Engineers.

Because education in the theatre arts is about access to experience, most universities and colleges view their stages as their laboratories, the place where experimentation in design and performance take place. The production schedule, however, usually limits student access to these spaces. Many schools also utilize shops and alternate spaces outfitted with scaled equipment for miniature mock-ups. This session will look at the benefits to a dedicated collaboratory space: a full-scale classroom outfitted for design performance design education and experimentation. The panel will examine the unique case-study of the new, innovative, half tension-wire-grid/half motorized rigging, two-story hybrid designer's “collab-lab” at Texas Tech University. Thanks to our exhibitor for bringing us this session.

Presenter: Professor William Kenyon serves as Head of the Lighting Design Program at Penn State. An active professional designer with over 150 designs for theatre, dance, opera, and musicals to his credit, Prof. Kenyon has recently designed the lighting for several Penn State locations, including the 2013 re-creation of the iconic Nittany Lion Shrine, the Art Room in Schreyer House, and the new theatre space incorporated into the Tank 5 water tower adjacent to the SALA Building. Prof. Kenyon is also the author of the new textbook, Theatre & Stage Photography, and offers stage photo workshops around the world. Prof. Kenyon’s recent production work includes performances at The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Wolftrap, and the Qatar International Arts Festival. He has also designed for The Hangar Theatre, The Metropolitan Playhouse, Opera Delaware, Ballet Theatre of Central Pennsylvania, Nebraska Rep, Russian Ballet Theatre of Delaware, Opera Omaha, University of Iowa, and MTI-Disney. Prof. Kenyon has been involved in Native American theatre and dance for over 15 years, serving as resident LD for the American Indian Dance Theatre, and was involved in the complete reimagining of “Unto These Hills”, a massive outdoor spectacle celebrating the history of the Cherokee. Prior to Penn State, William taught Lighting & Sound Design at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Prof. Kenyon received his BFA from the University of Connecticut, having studied with Jim Franklin, and his MFA from Brandeis University, having studied with Bob Moody, Dennis Parichy, and Karl Eigsti. Prof. Kenyon serves as Chair of a newly-created History & Heritage Committee with USITT, and was recently elected Chair of the OISTAT Education Commission. Member of USITT, OISTAT, IALD, IESNA, and USAA Local #829 in the areas of Lighting and Sound Design.