Professional Development Workshops (PDWs)
Know Before You Register
Professional Development Workshops (PDWs) allow our attendees to take a deeper dive into a variety of live entertainment subjects. These classes are led by expert instructors who are eager to share their knowledge with you!
Registration for the following PDWs may be completed during your USITT26 registration process. If you sign up for an event that will cause you to miss part or all of a Conference day (Wednesday or Thursday), there will be a discount automatically applied to your Conference registration at checkout.
Architecture
Architectural Tour of Greater LA
Wednesday, March 18 - 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tours of venues across the city. Specific stops to be announced.
Transportation and lunch included. Wear comfortable shoes.
Advanced registration and an additional fee are required. This tour will sell out quickly! We will enact a wait-list for those interested and contact you in advance if a space becomes available. Day of walk-ups will most likely not receive a space on this tour.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this tour may be canceled.
This course provides 4 AIA LU|HSW
Advanced registration and an additional fee of $100 are required.
Costume Design & Technology
Integrating CLO3D into Live Entertainment Costume Making
Wednesday, March 18 - 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Interested in learning the basics of digital pattern making? Have you been wanting to learn but not known where to start? Join us for a crash course introduction to CLO3D, a digital draping software. During this session, you will learn the basics of getting the program set up, adjusting an avatar to match a model’s measurements, and learn the steps for draping and drafting patterns in the digital world. Whether you are a student, an early professional, or an established maker, this software is a useful tool for adapting and expanding your patterning skills.
This is a full-day class and lunch will be on your own. Advanced registration and additional payment of $150 is required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
LA Tour: Ben Nye, Western Costume, and Walking the Fabric District
Wednesday, March 18 - 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Join us for a fun and fulfilling day exploring some of many notable spots around LA! We'll kick things off with a 2-hour tour and demo at the Ben Nye make-up studio — it's a great chance to see behind the scenes and maybe pick up some tips. After that, we'll head over to Western Costume for a walking tour of their workroom. We'll wrap up our day with a visit to a few fabric stores, allowing you to browse and chat with local costume artisans. We can't wait to have you join us!
Wear comfortable shoes. Transportation and lunch included.
Advanced registration and an additional fee of $100 are required. This tour will sell out quickly! We will enact a wait-list for those interested and contact you in advance if a space becomes available. Day of walk-ups will most likely not receive a space on this tour.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this tour may be canceled.
Education
Disney Live Entertainment Miller Warehouse Tour
Wednesday, March 18 - 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The Disneyland Resort located in Anaheim, California, is known for its blend of immersive and entertaining experiences. From themed attractions to the most magical stage shows, every prop, costume, and set is an essential part of the story. This tour will begin offsite where participants will see how Disney creates and manages their abundant inventory of scenic elements, costumes and materials. The group will then travel to the Disneyland Resort by bus, where they will get a glimpse into how Disney Live Entertainment continues to create and deliver storytelling magic.
Disney Requirements:
1. Everyone's legal name will be submitted 14 days in advance to arrange for security clearance.
2. Attendees must bring a legal photo ID on the day of the tour, and the name on their ID must match the name submitted for the security clearance. They will not be able to join the tour without a photo ID.
3. All participants will be coming through the security checkpoint for the second portion of the tour and will have their bags searched. No oversized bags are allowed. No drugs are permitted to be brought on the property.*
4. No photography or recording will be permitted on the tours. Anyone caught taking photos or filming will be required to delete the footage and will be escorted off the property immediately.
5. Tours will be moving through operating areas, including working shops. Closed-toe shoes are required. No flip flops or sandals.
6. No one under the age of 16 will be permitted on the tour.
Transportation included. Advanced registration and an additional fee of $75 are required. This tour will sell out quickly! We will enact a wait-list for those interested and contact you in advance if a space becomes available. Day of walk-ups will most likely not receive a space on this tour.
This PDW does not include Theme Park admission. Once the tour concludes, all participants will be required to exit the park. Return transportation by bus to the Long Beach Convention Center will depart immediately following the conclusion of the tour. Any participants who would like to visit the Theme Park as a guest following the tour will be required to purchase Theme Park admission, make a reservation, and enter through the Disneyland main entrance. Visit here for more information. Return transportation to the Long Beach Convention Center will not be provided for guests extending their stay in Anaheim beyond the PDW tour.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this tour may be canceled.
Engineering
Introduction to Cross-Disciplinary Drafting
Wednesday, March 18 - 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Drafting is a digital language that connects designers, technicians, and engineers alike. This session introduces the core principles of interdisciplinary drafting using common CAD tools and workflows, like Vectorworks, AutoCAD, and Rhino. Through practical examples from lighting plots, scenic elevations, and engineering drawings, you'll learn how layers, title blocks, symbols, and standards all differ. We'll cover how to set up efficient files, share clean drawings with collaborators, and avoid common pitfalls that can slow down a production.
No CAD experience required, just bring your laptop if you'd like to follow along!
Advanced registration and additional payment of $100 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled
Ken Vannice Electrical Workshops
Wednesday, March 18 - 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
This 1-day workshop is designed to give participants an understanding of electricity and the basics of entertainment electrical systems including grounding, overcurrent protection, and associated topics. We'll also explore the National Electrical Code® and NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®. The workshop covers many of the items in the ETCP Electrician Candidate Handbook outline.
Attendees will receive PDF files of the presentations and other information at the end of the workshop.
This class counts for seven hours of ETCP-recognized training towards renewal credit.
Advanced registration and an additional fee of $180 are required.
There will be a one hour lunch break where attendees will be on their own.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
Lighting Design & Technology
Moving Light Repair
Thursday, March 19 - 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
This workshop concentrates on the diagnostics, maintenance, and repair of moving head lighting fixtures from selected manufacturers. This intensive, hands-on training session will provide comprehensive coverage of fundamental troubleshooting procedures, component replacement, and system calibration. Participants will engage in practical exercises involving the disassembly and reassembly of various moving light fixtures to reinforce technical understanding and operational proficiency.
Advanced registration and additional payment of $149 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
Advanced Soldering
Wednesday, March 18 - 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
This class will provide hands-on experience, techniques, and best practices for a range of challenging objectives based on real-world industry situations. This workshop will delve into topics including PCB repairs and component replacement, advanced LED tape scenarios, and difficult connectors.
Participants must have some level of soldering experience.
This is a half-day class on Wednesday, 3/18, from 8 am - 12 pm. Advanced registration and additional payment of $149 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
Rendering and Pre-visuallization with Vectorworks
Saturday, March 21 - 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Are you new to 3D modeling in Vectorworks or just looking to keep your skills sharp? Taught by members of the Vectorworks Team, you’ll learn tons of tips for 3D modeling: how textures can reduce the complexity of models, details on conceptual and free-form designs, and more. You will also get a comprehensive introduction to Showcase, empowering designers to pre-visualize their ideas with real-time DMX control and dynamic visualizations — all within Vectorworks.
Advanced registration and additional payment of $75 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
Digital Media
TouchDesigner Essentials for the Live and Built Environment
Wednesday, March 18 - 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Join Matthew Ragan and Zoe Sandoval from SudoMagic for a whirlwind tour of building interactive applications with TouchDesigner. Over the course of a day-long workshop participants will learn the fundamental principles and organizational flow of working in Derivative’s TouchDesigner – for the uninitiated, TouchDesigner is a node based programming environment used in installations, live events, and museums internationally. This workshop will largely be focused on the intersection of art/design and the development of new tools for live performance. Over the course of the day, participants will walk away with: an understanding of working with the TouchDesigner environment creating realtime video effects rendering 3D scenes working with datasets like point clouds and lat-long coordinates This workshop will largely focus on techniques for live performance, data processing, and interactive applications.
Lunch will be on your own.
Advanced registration and additional payment of $200 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
Introduction To Show Networking Hands On Workshop
Wednesday, March 18 & Thursday, March 19- 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
This introductory workshop, based on John Huntington’s book Introduction to Show Networking, explores the basics of networks and how they work in show systems such as lighting, sound, video, and even stage machinery. Basic networking concepts, IP addresses and assignment methods, subnet masks, general network operations and physical topologies will be introduced through readings and videos and online meetings, and then explored through hands-on labs. Network device control will be explored and other topics like broadcast storms and VLANs will be demonstrated. Once participants sign-up for the workshop, they are given the assignment to read several chapters of the Introduction to Show Networking book and/or watch several lecture videos. Then, the group meets online approximately 1-2 weeks in advance of the hands-on session (date t.b.d.) to review the information and answer any questions from the readings. The group meets in person at the conference to explore these concepts in a full-day, hands-on workshop for which participants bring their own PC or Apple laptop.
Advanced registration and additional payment of $225 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
Management
Command Performance: The Management Behind the Hollywood Bowl's Spectacle
Wednesday, March 18 - 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Since the installation of its first temporary stage in 1922, the Hollywood Bowl, the largest natural amphitheater in the US, has defined live performance in Southern California. In its 103 year history it has played host to entertainment legends including Billie Holiday, The Beatles, Bugs Bunny, Yo-Yo Ma, Stevie Wonder, The Muppets, John Williams, Gustavo Dudamel, Frank Sinatra, Broadway stars of every generation and, since that first season, has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. This tour and informational session pulls back the curtain on the management and leadership behind producing unforgettable events at this epic outdoor venue. Participants will gain insight into how a team of stage managers, production managers, facility managers, producers, and more lead large teams, coordinate complex operations, and deliver creative excellence in an ever-evolving live entertainment landscape.
Transportation provided. Advanced registration and an additional fee of $49 are required. This tour will sell out quickly! We will enact a wait-list for those interested and contact you in advance if a space becomes available. Day of walk-ups will most likely not receive a space on this tour.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this tour may be canceled.
Advanced Production, Event, and Venue Management Using Propared
Thursday, March 19 - 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Overview: This two-part, hands-on training lab is designed for managers looking to develop a more advanced and detailed understanding of how Propared can be used to streamline and coordinate production and venue operations. Participants will work through real-world scenarios, build customizable templates, and establish consistent communication channels in Propared to support their own workflows.
Part 1: Managing Produced Events Participants will walk through the process of building a Propared project template using a full-scale, in-house musical theatre production as the model. Topics will include: Creating a comprehensive production timeline to support shop planning, inter-departmental communication, venue operations, marketing, rehearsals, and more Budgeting, forecasting, and tracking production revenues and expenses Managing casting, staffing, and contact lists Allocating inventory and resources across departments Using Propared for rehearsal reporting and task tracking Tips, strategies, and Q&A to help adapt the system to specific organizational needs
Part 2: Managing Presented Events, Rentals, and Venue Operations focuses on the operational side of venue and event management. Participants will build three Propared templates—for presented events, rental events, and overarching venue operations management. Topics will include: Creating adaptable timelines for presented events based on touring rider requirements Budgeting and forecasting for presented productions, building reusable rental event templates for occupancy schedules, crew calls, and cost estimates, coordinating support departments (HVAC, custodial, security, front-of-house, business office, accessibility, etc.), and tracking revenue and expenses at an organizational level.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand how to build customized templates in Propared for different types of events and operations
- Learn how to structure timelines, budgets, staffing, and inventory management in Propared
- Gain strategies for coordinating communication across departments and stakeholders
- Build tools to help streamline internal planning and external client coordination
- Leave with working models you can adapt and implement in your own organizations
Lab Duration: Two, 2-hour sessions (4 hours total)
Presenter: Don Fox
Audience: Production and operations managers, venue administrators, technical directors, stage managers, and others responsible for managing complex schedules, communications, and logistics for performing arts organizations.
Note: These sessions are best suited for attendees who already use Propared or are familiar with its core features. New users may wish to review the introductory Propared Training Videos here.
Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Advanced registration is required and limited spots are available. Free for attendees.
Free Registration Brought to you by Propared:
Scene Design & Technology
Deep Cuts an Experience in Foam Carving
Wednesday, March 18 - 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
In this hands-on workshop, we will cover the following: tools, materials, and product lines that range from entry-level to advanced. Foam and applied texture best safety practices. We will give participants an opportunity to carve, finish, and coat their sculptural elements during this one-day class, as well as a practical demonstration of consistencies in applied texture.
This is a full-day class will take place on the CAL State - Long Beach campus. Transportation provided.
Lunch will be on your own.
Advanced registration and additional payment of $200 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
Building a Large Puppet from Recycled Materials
Wednesday, March 18 - 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Participants will work together to create a large, multi-person operated puppet out of recycled materials, mostly based in cardboard (found from the conference set-up materials and materials being delivered to the Expo) and learn to work with specific cardboard tools and fast building techniques with hot glue and piercing staplers. Participants will work from a small model and learn how to scale things up quickly while also practicing making modifications on the life-size creation.
Lunch will be on your own.
Advanced registration and additional payment of $160 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
Sound Design & Technology
Smaart SPL, Harnessing the Power of SPL Measurement
Wednesday, March 18 - 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
This session explores Smaart’s SPL toolset and examines the robust measurement capability available within Smaart SPL. SPL measurement is an increasingly important element within live audio measurement. The toolset within Smaart SPL provides valuable information for maintaining consistency of level but also addresses Health & Safety concerns, as well as sound exposure compliance and noise pollution legislation. Additionally, SPL measurement delivers valuable information to an audio engineer in evaluating program material being conveyed to an audience. Smaart SPL allows the user to examine multiple SPL metrics concurrently to gain insight into a signal’s characteristics, providing an audio engineer guidance on how their mix can have impact and dynamic range, but remain within SPL restrictions.
Advanced registration and additional payment of $49 required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
Introduction to Live Sound
Thursday, March 19 - 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
This 4-hour official L-Acoustics training offers certification in the “Intro to Pro Audio by L-Acoustics: Live Sound” course. The course introduces the live sound world and presents the L-Acoustics tools to design and operate live sound events. Participants will learn about the components and signal chain of a live sound system by building a model of a sound system design in L-Acoustics’ professional modeling software Soundvision and design the controlling interface in Network Manager. They will also gain an understanding of the workflow and jobs available in live sound projects.
This class is limited to 12 participants with an instructor-led session that includes both presentation, discussion, and hands-on tutorials.
Participants must bring a laptop and mouse with them and download the latest version of Soundvision and Network Manager software (available for free on the company website).
Upon completion of the training and opting in to take the certification test, participants gain a certificate of completion and 1 year access to the L-Acoustics Education Platform online learning community.
Advanced registration and additional payment of $75 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
Introduction to Immersive Audio
Thursday, March 19 - 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
This 4-hour official L-Acoustics training offers certification in the “Intro to Pro Audio by L-Acoustics: Immersive Audio” course. The course presents an agnostic history of spatial audio and introduces learners to the concept of object-based mixing. Participants will gain hands-on experience mixing in immersive with multitrack content using the L-Acoustics tools available in L-ISA Studio. They will also gain an understanding of the workflow and jobs available in this exciting aspect of the audio industry.
This class is limited to 12 participants with an instructor-led session that is both presentation, discussion, and hands-on tutorials. Participants must bring a laptop, headphones, and mouse with them and download the latest version of L-Acoustics' L-ISA Studio and 3rd-party Reaper software (available for free on each company's website).
Upon completion of the training, participants may opt in to take the certification test to gain a certificate of completion and 1 year access to the L-Acoustics Education Platform online learning community.
Advanced registration and additional payment of $75 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled
Safety
OSHA 10 - General Entertainment SafetyWednesday & Thursday, March 18 & 19 - 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
This customized OSHA 10 training is brought to you by the IATSE Entertainment and Exhibition Industries Training Trust Fund and USITT as a part of the alliance between these organizations and OSHA. The OSHA 10-hour program provides a variety of training on general industry safety and health regulations for both entry-level and experienced workers. Upon completion of both days, you will have earned your OSHA 10 card. It covers OSHA policies, procedures, and standards, as well as general industry safety and health principles. Topics include the scope and application of the OSHA general industry standards. Special emphasis is placed on those areas that are the most hazardous, using OSHA standards as a guide. This training is customized for and uses examples from the entertainment industry.
Upon completion of this session, it qualifies for 10 ETCP Renewal Credits
Lunch will be on your own.
Advanced registration and an additional payment of $100 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
Technical Production
All Access - Facility Tour
Saturday, March 21 - 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
A two-hour guided facility tour for attendees interested in learning more about All-Access's place in the industry and its operations. During the tour, participants will gain an inside look at our fabrication facility, explore our production and setup floor, and visit our rental warehouse to see how projects are prepared and managed. The program will conclude with a live automation demonstration. This event is an excellent opportunity to connect classroom knowledge with real-world applications while engaging directly with our team.
Transportation, water, and light refreshments will be provided.
Advanced registration and an additional fee are required. This tour will sell out quickly! We will enact a wait-list for those interested and contact you in advance if a space becomes available. Day of walk-ups will most likely not receive a space on this tour.
Advanced registration and an additional payment of $49 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
AWP/MEWP Operator Training & Certification
Wednesday, March 18 - 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
This training program allows participants to earn their AWP (Aerial Work Platform) / MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platform) operator's card. This course consists of four key areas of learning and proficiency demonstration (Responsibility, Safety, Operation & Hands-On). This is a three-part training session, where attendees will receive classroom instruction and hands-on training. This will culminate in both a written test and a practical evaluation. Upon successful completion of this safety training, attendees will be presented with their MEWP operator's card. This training covers machine safety regulations, agencies and requirements, safe operation (components and controls), and inspection requirements.
This class qualifies for 6 ETCP recertification credits for ETCP-certified technicians.
There will be a one-hour lunch break where attendees will be on their own.
Advanced registration and an additional payment of $100 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
Foundations of Entertainment Rigging
Wednesday & Thursday, March 18 & 19 - 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
While there is no substitute for experience when it comes to rigging, this class will present the foundational concepts that underpin good rigging practices. Taught by trainers with over 40 years of combined experience in the field, topics are derived from the ETCP list of critical knowledge areas for riggers and will vary to suit the learners in the room. Presentation of information will be approachable for early career participants while also providing a depth of discussion through examples and case studies that will bring value and engagement to more experienced riggers. In addition to instructional content, resources for further learning and reference will be featured and explored. Participants will walk away with improved confidence, knowing more about both the "how" and the "why" of entertainment rigging.
This class qualifies for 12 ETCP recertification credits for ETCP-certified technicians (6/day).
Lunch will be one hour and on your own.
Advanced registration and an additional payment of $225 are required.
If minimum attendance is not met by Feb. 9, this class may be canceled.
