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 Olney, MD to teach an Intermediate-Level Jay O. Glerum Rigging Masterclass!
Our Intermediate-Level track is a two-day classroom, PowerPoint, and demonstration-based class for those familiar with rigging basics and the safe operation of a counterweight system, or for those who have taken the Entry Level course and seek to advance their skills.
Seats are limited — register today to secure your spot!
Intermediate-Level Curriculum:
The two-day curriculum covers design factor, the physics of loads and forces, truss basics, bridle rigging, and more.
This class qualifies for 12 ETCP renewal credits.
Curriculum to be covered:
- Review of Breaking Strength, Design Factor, Working Load Limit
- Physics of Loads and Forces
- Beam Loading and Cantilevers
- Truss Basics – inspection and general principles
- Mechanical Advantage
- Bridle Rigging
- Overview of basic automation controls
- Out of balance loading situations for counter weight systems
When:
Monday, Nov. 24 & Tuesday, Nov. 25
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where:
Olney Theatre Center
2001 Olney Sandy Spring Rd
Olney, MD 20832
Rates:
Member rates:
Early Price through Oct. 24: $500
Late Price: $550
Non-Member rates:
Early Price through Oct. 24: $550
Late Price: $600
Meet the Instructors:
Ed Leahy is Head Trainer and Cruise Ship Division Manager at Chicago Flyhouse, Incorporated. In this role since 2015, Ed develops and implements rigging and safety training curriculum for entertainment technicians at theaters, universities, arenas, and other entertainment venues around the globe. During the pandemic, Chicago Flyhouse online training helped workers stay sharp, learn new skills, and work toward certification. Beyond training, Ed develops fall protection systems and documentation, writes technical manuals, conducts rigging inspections, and produces educational videos.
Before Chicago Flyhouse, Ed was Technical Director for the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, supervising more than 150 shows, including national and international tours and transfer productions. He served as an adjunct faculty member at The Theatre School of DePaul University for more than a decade, focusing on technical theater production. As an active member of USITT, Ed helps to promote and teach the Jay O. Glerum Rigging Masterclasses in addition to presenting educational content at the annual conference. Ed serves on the Rigging Working Group (part of ESTA’s Technical Standards Program) helping to write and edit standards for the entertainment industry. He is an ETCP Certified Rigger (Theatre) and Recognized Trainer.
Ethan Gilson - Owner, Inspector, Instructor, Entertainment & Rigging Specialists. ETCP Certified Rigger – Arena & Theatre, ETCP Recognized Trainer
Ethan Gilson is the owner of Entertainment Rigging Services LLC, a company that specializes in entertainment rigging inspections, training, design, & installation. Gilson has worked in venues of diverse size and function including, but not limited to: hotel ballrooms, Las Vegas convention centers and arenas, New York theatres, and outdoor festivals.
Gilson has been inspecting theaters and arenas of all sizes throughout the United States since 2006. In 2005, he received one of the first certificates granted by the ETCP in Arena and Theatre Rigging (Cert. # 0048). Gilson has established himself as an authority in the field, and since 2014, has served as an ETCP Rigging Certification Subject Matter Expert, a position which includes designing questions for certification exams. Gilson’s national reputation has led him to serve as chair to several ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association) Technical Standards Program task groups, whose goal is to establish ANSI standards for safety in the industry in the areas of fall arrest and suspended rigging. In 2020 he was a recipient of the ESTA TSP “Above and Beyond Award” which celebrates those volunteers that have made significant contributions or effort that advances the Technical Standards Program. Gilson is OSHA 10/30 certified (Cert. # 002371128/21-602016902). He continues his own education through trainings such as: ETC factory trained installation/technician of Prodigy Hoists, Tomcat U, Mountain Productions Hoist School.
In 2012, Gilson became an ETCP Recognized Trainer and launched Entertainment Rigging Sessions to prepare today’s riggers for the industry’s explosive growth and to promote safety standards throughout it. These sessions are recognized by the ETCP as qualifying instruction for certification/re-certification. Gilson is a member of the Event Safety Alliance and its Safety Summit Core Development Committee, whose goal is to coordinate with the ETCP to promote safety, training, and certification throughout the industry. Gilson has partnered with manufacturers such as Total Structures, the annual LDI trade show, the Event Safety Alliance, various colleges/universities, unions, and local manufacturers to provide educational rigging sessions, tailoring sessions to meet the needs of each class. Gilson continues to stay abreast of the latest technology and advances in the industry, sharing this knowledge with his students. Recently, Vectorworks has requested Gilson’s services to speak, as a user, with distributors about their Braceworks software.
Gilson is the host of Shackles, Burlap, & Lies, an industry podcast about the Entertainment Rigging industry and the people who work in it.
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.
