Lead Presenter: Andrew Okerson
This session introduces participants to professional techniques used to mount and conceal microphones for live theatre. Participants will learn how to construct and apply three common microphone rigs: ear loop rigs, halo rigs, and toupee rigs. Emphasis is placed on audio clarity, actor comfort, concealment, and reliability during performance

After this session, participants will:
● Identify the major components of a theatrical wireless microphone system (capsule, cable, transmitter, element placement)
● Explain the advantages and disadvantages of ear loop, halo, and toupee microphone rigs.
● Construct ear loop, halo, and toupee rigs using industry-standard materials.
● Demonstrate proper placement of microphone capsules to optimize audio pickup and minimize feedback.
● Apply rigs safely and comfortably on performers while maintaining concealment.
● Evaluate which rig type is most appropriate for different performers, hairstyles, costumes, and blocking.

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Lead Presenter: Dana Taylor
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Designed for educators, the two hour session will identify best practices involving counterweight systems. Often misunderstood and misused, counterweight systems are an integral part of our theatres. Enhancing their skills and knowledge, educators will in turn be better prepared to use and teach this important theatrical system.

Lead Presenter: Dana Taylor
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Participants will add to knowledge and skills covered in the Beginning session. Specifically, selecting and using appropriate hardware, termination techniques, determining system capacities, and procedures for hanging scenic elements.

Lead Presenter: John Vales
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Managing a Performance Space or Performing Arts Center is usually part of our titles and job descriptions but what does that mean? Venue Management is very important to allow us to carry out the artistic side of jobs, but is often overlooked or something very low on our priority list. The goal of this session is to shine a light on what we need to do from a facility management perspective that will make the artistic side of our jobs easier. Whether you are taking over a new space, a new to you space, or are looking to sharpen your management skills this session will have something for everyone. Bring your questions and be prepared to engage in discussion about the management challenges you face in your venue.

Lead Presenter: John Vales
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Auditoriums, Theatres, PACs, etc that host multiple events, concerts, meetings, etc. need to have a Reportory light plot that not only serves the needs of the event but is easily to use and easy to teach to any user. Rep Light plots when properly planned and thought out should be useful for a variety of events and require little to no modification. This should make lighting concerts, meetings, and anything else that occurs in between your Theatre productions a breeze. We will also discuss the paperwork needed to get the most mileage out of our Rep Plots.

Lead Presenter: John Vales

As we all know educational technical theatre programs don't run themselves. It takes a lot of work, time, and energy to do what we do. This usually leaves very little time for reflection, and analysis on how we are running our programs. This session is focused on just that. We will be diving into technical theatre pedagogy. This is not only about the classroom but anytime you are working with your students in the theatre. This session should have something for everyone whether you are new to the the world of educational technical theatre or experienced.

Lead Presenter: John Vales
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This session will cover everything you need to know about how Video Systems work and how to use them. Whether you want to run a projector onstage from a computer in your booth, livestream an event, or maybe even use a TV to make it look like it is snowing outside a window of your set, this session will cover how to do it and more. We will go into system design, the equipment you need, useful software and hardware, and we will give you time to sit down and work with some of these very systems. Attendees should bring a laptop with an HDMI port or an adapter.

Lead Presenter: Ryan Luedloff
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I will explain the differences between Conventional and LED Fixtures, using actual equipment to show them the comparison. I will also briefly touch on moving light fixtures.

Lead Presenter: Kirk Longhofer
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Discussion of the fundamentals of sound, and the use of audio equipment in a musical theatre setting. Use of a digital mixer and wireless microphones for musical theatre.

Lead Presenter: Jason Resler
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This session will focus on various costume quick rigging methods. We will cover quick rigging for offstage costume changes as well as on-stage ‘magic’ with examples from both university and professional productions. Bring your quick rig questions and we can brainstorm together

Lead Presenter: Tobby Tao

Equipment limitation is a common issue that theatre teachers always facing, especially in K-12 environments. This workshop focuses on these kinds of situation by raising the question how to make the most of what is already available by combining practical understanding with some creative thinking. Participants will begin by exploring some fundamentals of sound systems, including signal flows, and what’s the different types of speakers you might find and the differences between them. From there, the session shifts toward identifying the specific conditions of a given space and using those as a foundation for design decisions. After that, we will use some hands-on examples and activities to explore how simple or unconventional tools like portable speakers with a Qlab setup can create spatial effects, guide audience attention, and some different ways to build layered sound environments.

We will also look at how the movement, balance, placement, and timing of sound can support storytelling, even without complex systems. Rather than focusing on ideal conditions, this session emphasizes adaptable approaches that empower educators to create meaningful and engaging sound designs within the realities of their own classrooms and performance spaces.

Lead Presenter: Prof. Maya Michele Fein

Play your way through the world of lighting design and technology. You’ll receive hands-on experience with several activities while learning how to implement them yourselves with a provided directions packet. These games will give students an interactive way to learn the qualities (intensity, angle, shape, distribution, color, and movement) and functions of lighting design (visibility, focus, mood, setting, modeling, etc). You’ll learn color theory through candy, photograph friends with filters, compete, and collaborate. I’ll also introduce some of my undergraduate assignments that can be easily modified for K-12 classrooms such as colorful shadows, painting with light, quick (electrical) connections, and more. A discussion and reflection will follow each activity so that you’re confident on how to apply it to your specific classes.

Lead Presenter: Paul M. Collins
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Paul will introduce participants to SketchUp using the free, browser‑based version of the software, outlining an efficient workflow for scenic modeling without requiring prior CAD experience.

Participants will learn core modeling techniques by building common scenic elements—such as a stock flat, a standard platform, and a basic furniture unit—using methods that translate directly to the shop environment.

The session will demonstrate how to generate and export clear, scaled views from the SketchUp model that can be printed and used in the shop as construction references by students or a technical director.

Paul will conclude with a demonstration of select features available in the desktop (premium) version of SketchUp Pro, with particular emphasis on LayOut, SketchUp’s companion application for producing clean, scalable technical drawings suitable for instructional and production use.

Q&A and additional demo as time allows.

Lead Presenter: Jon Robertson
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QLab is the industry standard for theatrical media playback — but for many practitioners, its learning curve is steep and self-guided. This hands-on workshop moves
quickly through the essentials and spends the majority of its time on the strategies and habits that separate functional users from confident ones.
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In the first portion of the session, participants will get a structured orientation to the QLab workspace: building a cue stack, routing audio, managing outputs, and understanding how QLab thinks. In the second portion, the session shifts to a curated collection of professional tips, workflow shortcuts, and show-reliability techniques drawn from real production experience — covering everything from fade curves and gang cues to pre-show checklists and recovery strategies.

Participants will leave with a working vocabulary, a repeatable workflow, and a set of practical tools they can bring to their next production or classroom immediately

Lead Presenter: Fritz Bennett
Additional Presenters: Miriam Morgan, Aaron Seelig, Leonard Miller
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It is no secret that technology is advancing so rapidly it is difficult to keep up. Much of the information and assumptions from just 5-10 years ago is no longer relevant. How can you ask better questions and understand the answers to make the best purchasing decisions? With a panel of guests from a wide spectrum of the entertainment industry, we will provide some concepts to help you feel more confident in your decision-making process. We will cover topics for small incremental upgrades up to full-scale renovations and new buildings. Bring your own questions and experiences to the discussion and let's help each other expand our knowledge!

Lead Presenter: Vince Lobello
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Attendees will learn how to build and cover both Broadway and Hollywood style flats. We’ll discuss the advantages of the different styles and coverings as they relate to your theatre. Bring your challenging designs and we will discuss the best way to break them up into flats.

Lead Presenter: Vince Lobello
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Build a platform and learn how to create levels and put them on wheels. We’ll discuss how to make them rigid and roll smoothly around the stage. Learn different ways
of adding brakes to your platform to keep it stopped securely.

Hands on Details: Attendees will build a small platform each and we will attach them together to create a small stair unit on casters. We’ll then add brakes and discuss crossbracing.