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Name: Jay Deen
Title: graduate candidate at The University of Memphis in Tennessee
Member Since: 2009
Favorite part of USITT: I really enjoy the Conference, meeting others in the industry and networking with manufacturers that are on the cutting edge of theatre technology.
Career Goals: I plan on teaching but I would also like to design and build a professional theatre in my home town.
USITT helps me to stay in touch with people I know in the industry, check different job opportunities around the country, and stay on top of the newest industry technology and equipment.
I joined because…This is kind of funny actually. It's one of those "everyone was doing it" things. Everyone at school was going and so, yeah, I jumped off the bridge as well, signed up and went. I had a great time, met a lot of interesting people and enjoyed a number of the workshops offered.
My career goals have remained constant since I became a member but now I have new friends in the industry to help make those goals a reality.
 Name: Jill Maurer
Title: Theatrical & AV Consultant at Westlake Reed Leskosky
Affiliations: Desert State Section of USITT, InfoComm, Girl Scouts
Favorite connection: National Conference Committee – the most fun you can have in a committee
Favorite USITT moment: Being interviewed by my future husband at the 1997 Pittsburgh conference. Professors at the University of Delaware strongly suggested that I attend the conference and I interview (thank you U of D!). My future husband, who was hired out of the 1987 Minneapolis conference, interviewed me and the company hired me. We were later married and now have three great kids.
USITT compels me to serve. Since I’ve gained several jobs and a husband through USITT connections and events, I feel the need to give back.
USITT lets me positively influence others.
I joined because I was a founding board member of the Desert State Section and of course, national membership was required. At that time, I was solely interested in the local organization as I felt the local theatre community was disconnected. I was in sales and installations at the time and many of my clients didn’t even know each other. The section has changed that immensely over the years.
I continue to be a member because I meet incredibly talented people, am able to continue connections with former colleagues and it keeps me involved with all aspects of theatre.
USITT brings me direction, purpose and humility.
Roles in the organization: Current Board of Director, Conference Committee member 2006-2008 & 2010 onward, Desert State Section Student Award Program Committee Chair, Desert State Section officer 2000-2005.
Member since 2000.
My outlook on the theatre community has changed since I became a member.
Name: Stephen E. Rees
Titles: Emeritus Chair and Technical Director, SUNY-Fredonia Department of Theatre & Dance, ETCP Certified Rigger – Theatre Project Shepherd – Rockefeller Arts Center Addition
Volunteer Activities: Primarily involved with the Technical Production Commission. I’ve chaired several panels over the years and served as panelist on others. Lately I have been a contributor and an editor to projects involved with Tech Expo.
Member Since: It’s complicated. First I was a student member from 1966 to 1968 but then was drafted and did not rejoin until I returned to school in 1971 or 72. I was a student member sporadically in the 70s as I could afford it, then I became an individual member when I started working.
Favorite Connection: Jeeze!! Certainly all the commercial acquaintances I made. Many educational colleagues as well. It would sound like name dropping to list them all. Of course, dear Randy Davidson, the good Dr. Doom. I think he set me on my current path a looooong time ago.
Favorite moment: Annual Conference in NYC in 1967. Back in the days when the whole Conference membership could get on one or two buses to travel to venues and everyone went to all the sessions. The tour, guided by Ming Cho Lee of the then-under-construction Public Theatre with Joe Papp in attendance, as well as touring to the Delacorte Theatre was the highlight of my young life. I think I was a college sophomore at the time. That trip was a reward for being an outstanding theatre technician under the tutelage of Alice Peet, who was a recent graduate of UW-Madison and one of Fred Buerki’s “children.” It was cool to be a “Buerki Grandchild,” and I still think of myself as such (Fred would be proud of all of his “Great-Grandchildren” were he still alive).
USITT compels me to see the larger picture of the ever-evolving entertainment industry and what educators need to do keep up with that. I’m retired now, but the curiosity is still there, and I hope will continue to be.
I continue to be a member because it keeps me in touch with former students, allows me to connect current students with industry and educational acquaintances. The importance of networking can’t be overstated. In all honesty, getting to the Conferences is the only means I have of renewing certain acquaintances and true friends that I could not do otherwise.
USITT brings me satisfaction in knowing that I chose the right career path nearly 45 years ago and that career and the friends and skills I have garnered have been of inestimable value.
My BEARD COLOR and HAIR LENGTH have changed drastically since I became a member.
Name: David Glowacki
Title: Production Manager, Kent State Tuscarora
Affiliations: OSHA Outreach Trainer, Lift Truck and Aerial Work Platform Trainer
Favorite connection through USITT: Health & Safety Commission
Favorite USITT moment: Participating in a Scene Design breakfast with Ming Cho Lee as part of the group.
USITT compels me to help avoid the mistakes I’ve made in my career.
USITT lets me continue to learn but also give back and teach.
I joined because I don’t have formal theatre training and I needed to learn.
I continue to be a member because I continue to get incredible value from my participation.
USITT brings me connections and opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise find.
Roles in the organization: Co-commissioner for Health & Safety, Educational Theatre Association Professional Development Institute instructor; I helped start CPR/AED training at each USITT Annual Conference.
Member since 1997.
My marketability has changed since I became a member.
Name: Verda Beth Martell
Title: Opera Technical Director and Assistant Professor of Theatre, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois
Affiliations: USITT Midwest Section, National Instruments Certified LabView Associate Developer, MFA in Theatre Technology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison
Favorite connection through USITT: Anyone and everyone. It sounds hokey, but it’s true. The vast majority of people in this business and especially in the institute are incredibly helpful. I really feel like I can pick up the phone and call anyone in the directory.
Favorite USITT moment: In Minneapolis, a couple of friends and I hunted down dinner at a local Japanese steakhouse and found ourselves (one costumer, one lighting designer and me) sharing a table with a number of guys from the Sound Commission. While the cook built the onion volcano, the designers welcomed us into their group sharing their favorite designer stories, including the designer from Blue Man Group explaining how he chose the bathroom music (the lyrics are a repeating chorus of “it’s a bathroom”).
USITT compels me to grow.
USITT lets me build connections between people and information. There is such a wealth of information in the institute just waiting to be tapped. I'm honored to be in a position to help people discover the potential of USITT. There are so many hidden gems - USITT standards, ANSI standards, low cost or free traveling workshops, special projects geared to every level of education or professional development, research funding and, best yet, the ability to influence it all.
I joined because I like to talk with people who are better at my job than I am – how else do you learn. The leaders in our field wander around on the expo floor, drink beer in the local bars, come to the commission meetings, and regularly talk to everyone. Where else do you have access to the kind of knowledge and history that USITT can provide.
I continue to be a member for the same reason.
Roles in the organization: Co-commissioner for Technical Production, Member-at-Large of the USITT Midwest Region Board, Project Leader for The Physics of Theatre Project.
Member since 2002.
USITT brings me home. Okay, not the home I share with a very cute little boy and his father, but at the Conference I do get to reunite with old and new friends every year. The sessions are invaluable, but the national conference is so much more than sessions and an expo floor and, while we’re at it, the institute is so much more than a one week conference. Once you dive in head first, the institute is a year-round connection.
My outlook has changed since I became a member.
Name: Ted Jones
Titles: Professor, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (retired) Principal, Jones & Phillips Associates (retired)
Affiliations: Indiana University Opera, Jones Consultants
Favorite USITT moment: Being made a lifetime member
USITT lets me be a mentor.
I joined because I needed mentoring (by Joel Rubin and Gary Gaiser).
USITT brings me theatre information and contacts.
Roles in the organization: Fellow, Lifetime Member, host of the first USITT Conference held outside New York City (1965 in Bloomington, Indiana)
Member since 1962.
In my 50 years, EVERYTHING has changed!
 Name: Tayneshia Jefferson
Title: Production Manager, Indiana University Dept of Theatre & Drama
Favorite connection within USITT Stage Management Mentoring Project
Favorite USITT moment: Jon Jory’s Keynote at the 2006 Annual Conference
USITT compels me to constantly strive to achieve a higher standard in my profession.
USITT lets me spend time with professional associates.
I joined because I really wanted professional connections.
I continue to be a member because the Conference is my favorite week of the year – I felt the organization was welcoming, and allowed me to find a home for myself.
USITT brings me the opportunity to mentor, but also the opportunity to BE mentored.
Roles in the organization: Mentor, Stage Management Mentoring Project; chair, People of Color Networking Project; Vice Commissions for Stage Management, Management Commission.
Member since 2003.
My location has changed (six times) since I became a member.
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