USITT Engineering Commission

The Engineering Commission allows members to exchange information on the engineering aspects of the entertainment industry and promotes the advancement and practical application of technology and standards.

Commissioner: Wendy Russell
Programming Commissioner: Michelle Flemming
Commissioner: Vacant
Coordinator for Student Activities: Vacant
Coordinator for Special Projects: Kimberly Corbett Oates
Coordinator for Awards: Brian Smallwood
Coordinator for International Activities: Daniel Lisowski
Coordinator for Communications: Lesley Boeckman
Coordinator for Publications: Jerrold Gorrell
    
ESTA Technical Standards Council Representative (Principle): Jerry Gorrell
ESTA Technical Standards Council Representative (Alternate): Justin Bennett
ESTA Electrical Power Working Group Representative: Mitch Hefter
ESTA Control Protocols Working Group Representative: Mitch Hefter
NFPA NEC Panel 15 Representative (Principal): Wendy Russell
NFPA NEC Panel 15 Representative (Alternate): Steve Terry
NFPA NEC Panel 13 Representative (Principal): Steve Terry
NFPA NEC Panel 13 Representative (Alternate): Mitch Hefter
NFPA 80 Representative (Principle): Jerry Gorrell
NFPA 80 Representative (Alternate): Dan Culhane
NFPA 101 Representative (Principal): Karl Ruling
NFPA 101 Representative (Alternate): Jerry Gorrell

Updated: Sept. 17 2024

Goals

  • Create, design, outline, produce, and locate educational programs, sessions, and classes concerning technical procedures and practices for all trades and crafts of the entertainment industry and make them available to USITT Regional Sections, Student Chapters, and other entertainment organizations.
  • Initiate projects that disseminate equipment specifications, design, and construction, as well as Standards and Recommended Practices.
  • Work closely with other USITT Commissions, Committees, and outside industry groups including, but not limited to ESTA.

Projects

  • USITT Standards Development
    • The Commission works closely with the Standards Committee to verify that the requirements for approval have been met in the developing, revising, reaffirming, or withdrawing USITT Standards, Guidelines, or Recommended Practices.
  • DMX512 (Digital Data Transmission Standard for Dimmers and Controllers)
    • This standard, originally developed in 1986 and revised in 1990, describes a method of digital data transmission between controllers and dimmers.
  • NEC
    • The Commission is actively involved with the tri-annual revision process used to update the National Electrical Code (NEC). Additional information concerning NEC is available on USITT's NEC page.
  • Qualified Stage Electrician & Stage Hand