Our Annual Conference & Stage Expo is back this March with more all-attendee events and programming than ever before! Along with our exhibitors you know and love, and some fresh new faces, we’re bringing you special events that are exclusive to our Stage Expo! See what wonders await amongst our 300-plus exhibitors!

Stage Expo Hours:

Thursday, March 21: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday, March 22: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 23: 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Expo Happy Hours

Mix and mingle with colleagues as you explore the USITT Stage Expo. Discover new products and companies and renew relationships with established vendors. Bars and concession areas will be open.

Thursday, March 21: 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday, March 22: 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

 

Conference-Wide Scavenger Hunt

Back by popular demand, we will be operating a conference-wide scavenger hunt powered by Goosechase. Download the app, make your team, and get ready to win fabulous prizes! 

 

USITT Photo Booth

Snap some shots at the USITT Photo Booth! Dress up with your friends, be the cover of your own story, and save your Conference memories! Our Photo Booth can be found at the entrance of the Sky Bridge.

 

USITT24 Stage Expo Opening

Thursday, March 21, 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Join us and hundreds of other attendees for our Stage Expo opening celebration! Outside the Expo hall just moments before you experience USITT24’s Stage Expo, we’ll be jamming out, celebrating, and getting energized before the doors open to a world of new products, innovative tech, demonstrations, and more networking and recruitment opportunities than you ever thought possible! This year, a sensory-friendly Stage Expo opening experience will be available in the North Lobby for attendees who require a less stimulating experience but still want the excitement of our Stage Expo opening!

 

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Running Away with Cirque du Soleil

Thursday, March 21, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to run away with the circus? Let their panel of entertainment professionals answer all of your questions during this discussion-based session where we dive into the world of Cirque du Soleil to review where Cirque du Soleil is as a company, their goals for the future, what employment opportunities are available, and how to get them. This is your chance to connect with representatives from their Technical, Management, and Talent divisions, learn about their show operations, and how you might plan to run away with Cirque du Soleil! Presented by Cirque du Soleil.

 

Collier Robert Woods Jr. Celebration of Life

Thursday, March 21, 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Join us as we raise a glass in memory of lighting designer and stage technician, Collier Robert Woods, Jr., a long-standing member of IATSE Local #15. Though he worked nationally and internationally, he considered Seattle to be his 'home base.’ This year we are honored to celebrate him in the place he called home!

Help us celebrate the scholarship that was established in his name that is annually awarded by the Institute to support Black and African American students with interests in lighting design and/or theatre production, technology, and associated theatrical fields.

 

USITT Moving Light Match-Up

Thursday, March 21, 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

End your Thursday with Al Ridella of 4Wall on the Expo stage exploring a variety of moving fixtures and their capabilities. Learn how to discover the best moving instrument to achieve your artistic ideas.

 

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Practical Follow-Spot Operation

Friday, March 22, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Hands-on tutorials using a variety of follow-spots from a variety of manufacturers including Canto, Lycian, Mega Lites, Strong Lighting, and Robert Juliat. We’ll also discuss follow-spot history including different light sources, techniques, and follow-spot operation. Attendees will be encouraged to spend some time operating the fixtures. 

 Rogers the Musical - Expo Stage Presentation

Friday, March 22, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

It’s not uncommon for a beloved film to inspire a theme park show or attraction. But creating a 30-minute live musical production based on a 4½ minute segment of a fictional Broadway show in a Disney+ series was a first when “Rogers: The Musical” opened at the Disneyland Resort in 2023. The one-act play featured seven musical numbers and more than 50 costumed looks, most of which were not part of the original television scene but were conceptualized and created by Disney Live Entertainment Costuming. Join us for an introduction to the creative process presented by the Costume Designer, Joe Kucharski, and hear about how the costumes came to life from the show’s Costumer, Renee Harrison. 

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"Transforming Space Over Time: Set Design and Visual Storytelling with Broadway’s Legendary Directors" Book Signing with Beowulf Boritt

Friday, March 22, 4:45 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Don't miss your chance to secure your own piece of creativity by meeting Beowulf in person at his book signing. To purchase a copy of Beowulf Boritt's book, Transforming Space Over Time: Set Design and Visual Storytelling with Broadway's Legendary Directors, please visit the publisher's website here. USITT will also have limited copies for sale at our USITT24 onsite bookstore. We hope to see you there!

 

Stump the Rigger

Saturday, March 23, 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

It's been years since anyone has been able to stump the rigger. Now that we are together again, you'll get your chance. Join your fellow rigging enthusiasts to see if you can stump Uncle Bill and his posse.

 

Check out our USITT24 Schedule here for more information on events, sessions, and networking opportunities! 

To register for our Conference in Seattle, click here! We can’t wait to see you there.