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USITT's Honorary Lifetime Members

Prior to 1992, a USITT membership category made it possible to pay a certain amount for a period of time and became a "Lifetime Member."  Once the designation of Honorary Lifetime Member was approved by the Board of Directors, the lifetime membership category was phased out. The first Honorary Lifetime Membership was awarded in 1992 to Samuel H. Scripps and in 1996 the Institute began using Honorary Lifetime Memberships as a way to recognize "a lifetime of continuous service to the Institute." 

Richard L. Arnold

Ft. Worth, Texas, March 1996: Richard L. Arnold was the seventh president of the Institute during its rapid national growth in the seventies, expanding its By-Laws and developing the Costume Commission. He was the founding member of the Midwest Section, one of the earliest USITT regional sections. He has been a Fellow of the Institute since 1977 and in 1987 he received the Joel E. Rubin Founder's Award. He played a leading role in the growth of the Edward F. Kook Endowment Fund and in the establishment of the USITT New Century Fund.

Willard F. Bellman

Ft. Worth, Texas, March 1996: Willard F. Bellman has been a guiding light in the Institute. He represented USITT on the joint ATHE/USITT/NAST committee which developed a position paper on theatre workloads, wrote the USITT position paper on the plight of the technical director, and was on the ATHE panel which developed the position paper on outcomes assessment. A Fellow of the Institute since 1985, Dr. Bellman was chair of the USITT conference in Anaheim in 1988 and chair of the Publications Committee. In 1990, he was honored with the Founder's Award.

Dr. Joel E. Rubin

Ft. Worth, Texas, March 1996: Dr. Joel E. Rubin's support and guidance of USITT is legendary. A founder of the organization, he served as President from 1963-1965, and has continued his involvement for more than 40 years. Dr. Rubin was instrumental in the creation of OISTAT, the International Organization of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians, and has been repeatedly recognized for his contributions to USITT, including being named a Fellow in 1977. The Founder's Award was re-named in his honor in 2000.

Thomas Watson

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 1997: Tom Watson was the second editor of TD&T and helped develop the Journal into the high quality publication it is today. His work as a professor of theatre design at the University of Delaware, as a lighting designer, and as a consultant exemplifies a career dedicated to the goals stated in USITT's mission -- the advancement of the knowledge and skills of its members. He was named a Fellow of the Institute in 1977.

Ted W. Jones

Long Beach, California, March 1998: Ted W. Jones was recognized as the host and local organizer for the first USITT Conference ever held outside of New York City (at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana in 1965), as a distinguished member of the Board of Directors, and OISTAT Representative. He because a USITT Fellow in 1978/1979. This prolific theatre consultant, lighting designer, and dedicated educator has a distinguished record of professional achievement.

Joy Spanabel Emery

Denver, Colorado, March 2000: Joy Spanabel Emery was saluted for her years of commitment and leadership to USITT. She was a founding member of the Costume Design & Technology Commission, and served as its Commissioner, and USITT Vice-President for Communications. Named a Fellow of the Institute in 1987, and recipient of the Founder's Award in 1994, her Lifetime Membership recognized her for her special qualities: patience, a creative spirit, a concern for the needs of others, and a delightful sense of humor.

Christine L. Kaiser

New Orleans, Louisiana, February 2002: Christine L. Kaiser was acknowledged for her "countless, focused hours of work dedicated to the ongoing health of the Institute." A Past President of the Institute, she was also Treasurer of the organization for many years, served on numerous committees, and provided oversight for countless special projects. She received the Founder's Award in 1991 and has been a Fellow of USITT since 1992. Her Honorary Lifetime Membership plaque noted "USITT has prospered through your attention to detail and whiskbroom of improvement."

Honorary Lifetime Members
In Memoriam

Samuel H. Scripps

 

Seattle, Washington, March 1992: Samuel H. Scripps (1927-2007) was a substantial supporter of USITT and its international activities for many years. He was a member of the 1987 Steering Committee for the United States entry for the Prague Quadrennial. Named a Fellow of the Institute in 1991, Mr. Scripps' generosity and guiding spirit helped USITT create and maintain an international presence.