Attendee Experiences
Opening Night at the Terrace Theatre
Wednesday, March 18 • 6:00–7:30 PM
Location: Terrace Theatre, Long Beach
Kick off the 66th Annual USITT Conference & Stage Expo in style at the Terrace Theatre in Long Beach. Join colleagues and new friends for an evening of connection, conversation, and celebration. Enjoy delicious bites, a cash bar, and great company as we toast the start of USITT26 and the inspiring days ahead. RSVP required.
USITT Night at the Aquarium of the Pacific
Friday, March 20 • 7:00–9:00 PM
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific
Dive into an unforgettable evening at one of Long Beach’s most stunning attractions. Join fellow attendees and exhibitors for a private USITT event featuring food stations, a cash bar, and full access to the aquarium’s indoor and outdoor exhibits. Mingle with friends among the sea life and enjoy a truly immersive experience as you explore, connect, and celebrate together. RSVP required.
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First Timers
Are you new to USITT? Are you a long-time Member but a Conference newbie? No problem! Our First Timers Event will help prepare you for the next four days with tips and tricks, insider info, and how to make the most of your time at USITT26.
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Expo Opening
Join us and hundreds of other attendees for our Stage Expo opening celebration! Outside the Expo hall just moments before you experience USITT26’s Stage Expo, we’ll be celebrating and getting energized before the doors open to a world of new products, innovative tech, demonstrations, and more networking and recruitment opportunities than you ever thought possible!
The Queen Mary Experience
Saturday, March 21 • 6:00–9:00 PMLocation: The Queen Mary, Long Beach
Ticket Price: $75 (limited to the first 500 guests)
For the first time ever, USITT invites you aboard the legendary Queen Mary for an exclusive evening experience. Enjoy food stations, a cash bar, live music, a silent disco, and both self-guided and guided tours of this historic ocean liner. Dressing the part is optional, but prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.
Your ticket price includes round trip transportation, food stations, a silent disco, guided tours, and music. As day turns to night, take in the spectacular sunset views over Long Beach Harbor from the decks of this iconic ship. Secure your ticket now before they’re gone. RSVP required.
Awards, Awards, Awards!
Celebrate your fellow industry designers, creators, managers, luminaries, and more at our awards presentation. Show your support and join in the fun as we present our winners with their accolades.
The Vault
The Vault is a safe space initiative providing Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender non-conforming USITT Members a more comfortable and accessible way to find clothing that fits their professional and stylistic needs. All of our clothing is donated by USITT Members eager to help their fellow technicians! This year you’ll find it in Seaside Room S-1.
Have clothing you’d like to donate? Pack it with you and drop it off with us in Long Beach!
Bookstore
Bookstore Hours:
Wednesday, March 18: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 19: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, March 20: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: March, 21: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Leave Long Beach with a suitcase (or trunk) full of USITT merch, a Member-author book, and hey, why not throw in a sticker or two? Stop by the USITT Bookstore to stock up on USITT hoodies, sweats, t-shirts, stickers, hats, pins, and of course, books!
Member-Author Book Signing
Emerging Creatives Showcase
The Emerging Creatives Showcase is an annual open adjudicated exhibition of designers, craftspersons, and managers. The Emerging Creatives Showcase helps us showcase emerging talent that has, for the most part, been left unfeatured in this and other exhibitions of rising talent. The cohort for this year's exhibition features designers and craftspersons of Middle Eastern, Southwest Asian, and North African descent.
The Soles of the Nation
We invite you to select 1–3 pairs of shoes from your Costume Shop’s collection to exhibit with us at USITT26! Please bring shoes with a unique identity — whether they are distinctive in how they were acquired, how they have been used, how they are constructed, or simply because they are a favorite or tell a story you would like to share.
Interested in contributing? Please complete this form. To participate, you will need to make room in your luggage or arrange an alternate way to bring the shoes to USITT26.
If your submission is accepted, we will follow up with additional details about when and where to bring the shoes for display.
Design Expo
Design Expo is back for USITT26 in Long Beach! The Design Expo is a juried exhibit of scenery, costume, and lighting in the performing arts displayed at Conference. The showcase will include costume, scenery, and lighting designs by students, educators, and working professionals who are Members of USITT. Design Expo can be added during your registration process. Already registered? You may access your registration and make edits at any time.
T3 Tech Challenge
It’s time to put your technical theatre skills to the test! Introducing T3 — an USITT Theatre Technology Tournament presented by Disney Live Entertainment. Seven events will allow teams made up of four to six people the opportunity to demonstrate a range of technical backstage skills. Each team will compete for qualifying scores early in the week, with our top teams competing on stage during our high-stakes final round on Friday at our Annual Conference & Stage Expo! Are you up for the challenge?
Digital National Poster Sessions
USITT's Digital National Poster Sessions allow presenters to share their research and expand scholarly activity. They are a great way to experience new solutions to old problems, innovations, research results, discoveries, developments, and more.
DAAs in Conversation
Sit down with this year’s Distinguished Achievement Award Winners and discuss the finer points of the live entertainment industry. Winners to be announced!
