Are you ready to dive into the world of theatre rigging and earn 12 hours of ETCP Renewal Credits? USITT has industry experts who are here to help, and they're on their way to Arlington to teach the Glerum-level Jay O. Glerum Rigging Masterclass!
The Entry-Level course is a two-day curriculum that covers rigging basics, terminology, hardware, systems, tools, and safe practices. Attendees are issued the Jay O. Glerum Stage Rigging Handbook and use this text as a reference.
The two-day entry-level track curriculum covers rigging basics, terminology, hardware, systems, tools, and safe practices.
Seats are limited — register today to secure your spot!
Entry-Level Curriculum:
The entry-level track is geared towards those needing to reaffirm their knowledge of or build upon their understanding to prepare classroom theatre teachers and non-professional technicians for industry-level, safety practices using theatre counterweight systems for rigging scenery and lighting to increase safe working environments in schools and community theatres. The two-day curriculum covers rigging basics, terminology, hardware, systems, tools, and safe practices. Attendees are issued the Jay O. Glerum Stage Rigging Handbook and use this text as a reference.
When:
Thursday, September 25 - Friday, September 26, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where:
Rates:
Member rates:
Early Price: $525
Late Price: $545
Non-Member rates:
Early Price: $550
Late Price: $600
Meet the Instructors:
Shane Kelly - is Professor and Head of The Theatre Technology Program at The Theatre School at DePaul University. He is the co-author (with Jay O. Glerum) of the 4th edition of the Stage Rigging
Handbook. Shane has been rigging for 25 years and conducts inspections, installations, specification of systems, and safety training via his company, Shane Kelly Rigging.
Shane is an ETCP Certified Rigger (Arena and Theatre), ETCP Recognized Trainer, OSHA Authorized General Industry Outreach Trainer, and American Red Cross Authorized Training Provider.
Shane’s professional practice and research is focused on sustainability and ecoscenograhy. He worked as a producer, production manager, technical director, and rigger and was the Associate Director of Education for SpaceLab at the 2015 Prague Quadrennial and Technical Director for Six
Acts at the 2011 Prague Quadrennial Scenofest.
Christopher "Topher" Morris - Topher is a theatre professor and the department Chair at Salem State University with over 30 years of experience in both academia and the professional theatre world. With a passion for creating immersive environments and enhancing the storytelling experience through design, they have contributed significantly to theatre productions as a set designer, sound designer, and technical director. He is also a Certified Theatrical Rigger through ETCP.
Topher earned a BA in Theatre from the University of New Hampshire, followed by an MFA in Technical Production for Theatre from the Professional Theatre Training Program at the University of Delaware. His academic training laid the foundation for his multifaceted career, blending artistic creativity with technical expertise. He has worked for The Santa Fe Opera, American Players Theatre, Tibbits Opera House, The Chicago Flyhouse and others companies and theatres.
Dana Taylor spent over twenty-five years teaching technical theatre at Mt. Vernon Senior High
School. Dana served as the technical editor for "Dramatics Magazine," "Teaching Theatre
Journal," and "Basic Drama Projects": 9th Edition. Dana is an ETCP Certified Rigger-Theatre (Certfication #4428), an ETCP Recognized Trainer for Theatre, and a member of the TSP Rigging
Working Group. He received the Founder's Award from the Educa>onal Theatre Association and the Distnguished Achievement Award for Education from USITT. Dana served as a Director for ESTA and USITT and now focuses on secondary school initatves, including the BACKstage Exam and BACKstage+ training initiative.
About Jay O. Glerum:
Our Jay O. Glerum Rigging Masterclasses were established in 2016 to honor Jay Glerum's passion for rigging safety and training. Glerum's commitment to safety has made these masterclasses possible and his legacy lives on through both the trainers, attendees, and their combined passion for continuing education and industry safety. To learn more about Jay, click here.
