USITT Midwest - Fall Program

We are thrilled to introduce KATHIE BROOKFIELD of the University of the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.  Kathie will be presenting a slide program on PLACEMENT OF BATTERY PACKS AND MICROPHONES IN COSTUMES AND WIGS.  Presenting along with Kathie will be a wireless microphone representative to demonstrate equipment for placement.  Kathie is a member of the USITT Costume Design & Technology Commission and we are thrilled to be able to bring her in for this session.

MIKE REED of Reed Rigging, Chicago, is setting up equipment for a session on SAFE RIGGING PRACTICES FOR TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS.  Topics covered will include: Safety and Accidents, Liability, Equipment, Rigging Math, plus Practical Information.  Mike is a protégée of R.J. Mike Nielsen of the Midwest Board.  Mike will be assisted in the presentation by another Nielsen protégée from the Chicago area, Jim Roorda.

Both of these programs are excellent opportunities for student participation!  We are hoping that member attendance will allow for each program to be repeated so that participants can complete both sessions!

THE 10 CHIMNEYS ESTATE: "For over 50 years the Lunts hosted the preeminent artists of the era at Genesee Depot to relax, rejuvenate, and collaborate . . .  The estate is overflowing with memorabilia; notes from Lawrence Olivier and Carol Channing, momentos from Helen Hays and Noel Coward . . ."

Particulars:

Information about and maps to 10 CHIMNEYS are available on their web site www.tenchimneys.org  This is only the second season for the estate to be open to the public.  There are two tours available:

**$28 tour of the main house - 90 minutes
**$35 tour of the house, studio, cottage and grounds - 2 hours

Tours leave every 15 minutes and reservations are necessary.  The Section is holding 10 spots for the 2:30 tour and 5 spots for 2:45.  More spaces may be available but reservations must be made with Nancy Woodruff as soon as possible.  Reservations may only be held with a payment.

*BOX LUNCH*
As there are no eating establishments in the vicinity, the foundation at 10 Chimneys has a contract with a deli that provides box lunches for $10.  A RESERVATION IS NECESSARY and can only be held with commitment for payment to Nancy Woodruff.

***Standard fees for this program will apply EXCEPT there will be not be a student fee!***

Questions?  Contact:

Nancy Woodruff, Vice Chair of Programming
Home:  (312)  938-9118
Cell:  (630)  710-4580
Email:   nanbrwood@rcn.com
Street Address:  400 East Randolph Street     #2025
Chicago, IL   60601

3D Animated Flags--By 3DFlags.com

Join your friends and colleagues at the only national conference for professionals, educators, and students in the world of theatre technology.  Attend the Midwest Section Annual Meeting which will be held on Thursday morning, March 17th at 8:00 am to find out how to get involved in your Section.  This is an excellent opportunity to meet and talk with fellow members of the Midwest Section and give us feedback about what you would like to see for future events!  Coffee and nosh will be provided.   [Thanks, $crooge!]

JOHN MALKOVICH RETURNS TO CHICAGO STAGE!  USITT MIDWEST'S SPRING PROGRAM IS A MORNING TOUR OF THE STEPPENWOLF THEATER AND TICKETS TO THE STEPPENWOLF PRODUCTION OF LOST LAND STARRING CHICAGO'S OWN JOHN MALKOVICH!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 7.  Plan to arrive at the Steppenwolf theatre by 10:30 AM CDT for an 11:00 AM tour.  Following the tour there will be time for lunch and shopping in the area before the 3:00 PM matinee.

Steppenwolf Theatre is celebrating 29 years as a Chicago based International Performing Arts institution.  Our morning session will be a tour of the backstage area of their space.  Even if you are not planning on attending the matinee, take an opportunity to go backstage at this legendary performing arts organization.  There will be a break between the tour and the matinee to give you a chance to sample Chicao cuisine or go shopping.

Without elaboration, the play Lost Land is written by the same playwright, Stephen Jeffreys, who penned the last Malkovich performance at Steppenwolf, The Libertine.  That show was a huge success and a wonderful showcase for Malkevich.  The matinee performance will be at 3:00 PM Central Daylight Savings Time.  Reservations are needed for both the tour and / or the performance.

Check out Steppenwolf's web site for more details at www.Steppenwolf.org

Nancy Woodruff
nanbrwood@rcn.com
(312) 938-9118

Please pre-register for the tour and / or matinee by contacting Nancy Woodruff, Vice-Chair of Programming (see above) before sending money.  Deadline for show ticket information is April 16th.  Deadline for backstage tour registration is May 1st.

The Steppenwolf Theatre is located at 1650 N. Halsted Street in Chicago, one block north of North Avenue (1650N/800W)   From North or South, take I-94 to Exit 48B (North Avenue exit).  Head EAST toward Lake Michigan on W. North Avenue (IL 64).  Turn LEFT on N. Halsted Street.

The parking garage located just south of the Steppenwolf Theatre as well as the Royal George lot across the street, open at 1:30 PM for the matinee.  For those going on the backstage tour, you might have to find street parking, or there is an additional lot nearly behind Borders at the corner of North and Halsted (credit card payment only.)