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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Dear USITT New England members and friends,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">There are going to be two major changes in the section meeting at USITT in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Houston on Thursday morning. </st1:place></st1:City></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">First, due to the enormously high cost of food at the hotel [70 dollars for one gallon of coffee plus 25% admin fee plus tax] we have chosen NOT to have food or coffee at the meeting.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Bring your own.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sorry – we are just not that wealthy of a section.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Second, I am NOT going to talk about the events of our past year. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I will hand out this very sheet that has the information (see below) and you can read it at your leisure.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Instead, I want you to bring your ideas, suggestions and participation. Over the past decade all the events we have done have been organized by only a handful of people.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Participation has been very low.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These people, like you, are very busy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If we cannot involve more people in the organizing and the participation of the events then we simply do not have the manpower and funds to keep adding more.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It cannot continue to be the exact same individuals over and over again.<SPAN style="mso-spacer
un: yes"> </SPAN>So I want to know what you want out of the section and how/if you are willing to be involved.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If no one has any desire to add anything then we will find a comfortable spot, hopefully a warm one away from the winter weather, and we will sit and create friendly chit-chat for an hour and a half and the section will continue to what we always have without change.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I encourage all the officers of USITT NE to also send out their reports on the listserve by Tuesday and, if they cannot make the USITT conference, to include their ideas for our future now.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"><o:p><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Report on the year’s activities & news</SPAN></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><st1:date Month="3" Day="15" Year="2008">March 15, 2008</st1:date></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Officers:<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Name<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"> </SPAN>Office <o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Crystal Tiala<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"> </SPAN>Chair<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Ron Dallas<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"> </SPAN>Secretary/Treasurer</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Michael Cottom<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN>Vice-Chair</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Michael Katz<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"> </SPAN>Communications</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Jeff Gardner<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"> </SPAN>Webmaster</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U>We now have a Facebook group.</U><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Join us at:<U><o:p></o:p></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10514673145<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p> </o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Events in the past year:<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<OL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=1>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U>REPA Job Expo</U></B> Co-sponsored the 8<SUP>th</SUP> annual REPA Job Expo in <st1:City><st1:place>Boston</st1:place></st1:City> along with StageSource and The Boston Dance Alliance</LI>
<OL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=a>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: list 1.0in">Over 200 applicants and 30+ employers in attendance</LI></OL>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U>August BBQ</U></B> at <st1:City><st1:place>Crystal</st1:place></st1:City>’s house in <st1:City><st1:place>Boston</st1:place></st1:City>. Everyone is welcome.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There were about a dozen people in attendance.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U>KCACTF Region I</U></B>; [Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival]<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>January 29<SUP>th</SUP> to <st1:date Month="2" Day="3" Year="2008">February 3<SUP>rd</SUP>, 2008</st1:date>.</LI></OL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">o<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><st1:place><st1:City>USITT</st1:City> <st1:State>NE</st1:State></st1:place> sponsors a couple of awards and helps to add programming. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">o<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>“We are USITT”:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sylvia Hillyard Pannell & Michelle Smith came to discuss the what USITT was about.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The reception was provided by Ed Hyatt of the Boston Illumination Group.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">o<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Sponsored the Tech Olympics.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Our Tech Olympics winners were:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.25in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>First place:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Jamie Steffen: <st1:place>Southern CT</st1:place></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.25in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Second place: Michelle Merola: St. Michaels</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.25in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Third place:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Bobby Wilcox: U. Southern Maine</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">o<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Sponsored the Technical Craftsmanship & Innovation award that awards a student with USITT membership and money for USITT publications.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The winner of the Tech/Craftsmanship was Cazimir Bzdyra from Southern CT State. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Membership</B>:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Our group has grown very slightly over the past years.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We have had increased numbers show up at the section meeting at the national conference.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>[Last year around 25 attendees].<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, our paid membership remains rather stagnant.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">We need to find our niche in the bigger picture.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Why would people want to join our group?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There seems to be some major themes emerging:</P>
<OL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=1>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in">Those of us who are established in our careers enjoy the social aspect of the group and see friends that we have known for years.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in">It allows all of us to interact and exchange information about what is happening in locally or in our region.</LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in">We have established ways of seeing what others are creating and help each other learn new technologies.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in">Those who are new in their careers can find opportunities to meet people and network.</LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in">Those seeking to add to their credentials can participate in activities that demonstrate to their employers that they are performing a valuable service by promoting the performing arts profession in a variety of ways.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></LI></OL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">We all need to work to promote our membership and keep these activities alive. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Web Site & list serve<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=disc>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Need a new photo – Be prepared to get your picture taken at USITT.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">News from the Regional Officer’s meeting:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The 50<SUP>th</SUP> anniversary for USITT is coming up.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sections may be asked to help with the celebration<B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U><o:p></o:p></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">USITT sending 3 students from our region to conference: </B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Rafael Jaen began the initiative to figure out how these students would be selected.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With our schedules, however, we never finished the process and we missed out on sending students to the conference. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Visiting Local Theaters:</B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Mike Katz and Karen Perlow have volunteered to spearhead arranging visiting local university or professional theaters in our area.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There has been no activity toward this goal.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Software workshops:</B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">We agreed that each summer we should arrange a workshop around some software that people would like to learn.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was also proposed that each member submit to the website a list of workshops that they would be willing to provide to schools that would like to bring them there. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Vectorworks workshop:</B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Crystal Tiala and John Forbes were going to arrange a Vectorworks workshop. This did not happen due to <st1:City><st1:place>Crystal</st1:place></st1:City>’s hectic schedule in the fall.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She may try to incorporate a workshop into the KCACTF venues in January of 2009.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
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<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Crystal Tiala</DIV>
<DIV><A href="mailto:tiala@mindspring.com">tiala@mindspring.com</A></DIV>
<DIV>EarthLink Revolves Around You.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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