The USITT National Office welcomed four new staff members this quarter. Take some time to get to know them as they work to power live entertainment! And make sure to stop by and say hi if you see any of them at USITT24 this spring!

"I am a lover of the many facets of performing arts administration, and I am excited to bring so many of those areas together with my role at USITT. Outside of work, you can find me cuddled up on the couch with a good book and my Maine Coon mix, Ophelia; exploring indie bookstores and local coffee shops or breweries with my partner, Adam; or traveling ot the great state of New Hampshire to visit my family and friends who still call NH home!"

Where are you based? Oriskany Falls, NY

What's your role at USITT? Membership & Database Assistant; I assist our Members with any questions, registrations, and programs, as well as maintaining and analyzing our data to make sure that we are providing the best possible service to all of our Members and attendees. 

Best tech week tip? Comfort items! Your emotional support water bottle with stickers all over it, a bottle of cold brew, and your favorite fuzzy blankets for those breaks!

Hobbies? Find me at any Dungeons and Dragons table, ren faire, or game store! I am also the proud owner of an ever-growing collection of books, on its way to becoming a personal library. Some of my 5 Star Reads include: Bloodmarked by Tracey Deonn, Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury, Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman

What's your background in the theatre industry? I have been in performing arts administration since graduating from Ithaca College with my B.S in Theatre Arts Management in May 2020. Since then, I have done box office, house management, volunteer coordinating, membership, development, and special events. 

"I am a queer, trans artist who values strong representation and inclusion in the theatre world. When I'm not working, I'm taking a foodie tour of Chicago with my lovely fiancé, Daniel, or hanging out with my dog, D.O.G. I'm excited to be working with USITT, and I hope I can continue to bring helpful info to our Members via their inboxes!

Where are you based? Chicago, IL

What's your role at USITT? Content Assistant; I create the weekly newsletter, gather curated new stories for our Members, and make all the lovely emails that fill up their inboxes. 

Best tech week tip? Bring lots of snacks! And always keep a cool head. Take a walk around the theatre lobby if you have to, but remember we all want to do our best to make the show as amazing as possible for our audiences.

Hobbies? I play lots of dungeons and dragons, and I love gaming in general (lately I've put over 100 hours on Balder's Gate 3...woof). One of my favorite book series is the Kingkiller Chronicles, and I highly recommend the What We Do in the Shadows television series, or Our Flag Means Death. 

What's your background in the theatre industry? I'm a scenic and projections designer in the Windy City with a Masters in Scenic Design from Indiana University, Bloomington.

"I have a passion for attending the annual USITT Conference and love being involved with the Safety and Health Committee. I also love dogs, snacks and sleep."

Where are you based? Just outside of Normal, IL (Yes, that's an actual place!)

What's your role at USITT? Education and Training Assistant

Best tech week tip? Snacks and sleep make everyone a better human.

Hobbies? My dog, snacks, and sleep (see a trend?)

What's your background in the theatre industry? I am a certified ETCP Theatre Rigger with experience as a TD, production manager, and venue management. 

"I am a content creator with a focus on video and a love for live entertainment. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling with my friends and spending time with my family. I'm psyched to have this opportunity with USITT and I look forward to bringing more curated video content to our Members."

Where are you based? Sturgis, MI

What's your role at USITT? Visual Content Coordinator; I design and produce content for our social media platforms. 

Best tech week tip? Always pack a water bottle, a sweatshirt, and extra cash to tip the late night delivery drivers. 

Hobbies? I enjoy bowling, disc golf, playing Mario Kart, and advocating for the Oxford comma. I also like watching Gilmore Girls, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and am a self-proclaimed expert in movie theatre popcorn. During the summer months, I grow a luffa garden and make my own sponges. 

What's your background in the theatre industry? Live entertainment and I are best friends. I've had roles in Marketing and Entertainment departments with MILB teams and have worked on the production crews of AHL and ECHL teams. I have a B.S in Television and Digital Media Production from Ferris State University.