Schedule

This 1-day workshop is designed to give participants an understanding of electricity, the basics of entertainment electrical systems, including grounding, overcurrent protection and associated topics, plus 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; ETCP certificants will also receive 8 continuing education renewal credits.



This is a full-day class on Wednesday, 3/18, from 8 am - 5 pm. There will be a one-hour lunch break where attendees will be on their own.
Advanced registration and an additional fee are required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9th, 2026, this class may be canceled.

 

Pick up and drop off for buses to the Queen Mary Experience will begin at 5:30 pm at 300 E Ocean Blvd, in front of the Terrace Theatre. 
Buses will run continuous routes from 5:30 - 9:30 pm.
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.
Please Note: While many areas of the Queen Mary are fully accessible, due to the layout of the ship, some areas, such as the engine room, require walking up and down stairs.

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.

Location: The Queen Mary, Long Beach
Ticket Price: $75 (limited to the first 500 guests)
 

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.

This is a half-day class on Wednesday, 3/18, from 8 am - 12 pm. Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled.

 

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!

This is a half-day class on Wednesday, 3/18, from 1 pm - 5 pm.  Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled

AWP (Aerial Work Platform) / MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platform) Training & Certification for Type 1, Group A (1A) and Type 3, Group A (3A). This includes manually propelled vertical lifts & self-propelled vertical lifts (scissor lift). This training program allows participants to earn their MEWP 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, as well as 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. 
ETCP Renewal Credits: 6



This is a one-day class on Wednesday, 3/18, from 9 am - 4:30 pm.There will be a one-hour lunch break where attendees will be on their own.  Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9th, 2026, this class may be canceled.  

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 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
This is a two-day class that runs both Wednesday 3/18 and Thursday 3/19 from approximately 9 am - 4:30 pm. Lunch will be on your own. Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9th, 2026, this class may be canceled.

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 more than 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.
ETCP Renewal Credits: 6.0 per day, total of 12 renewal credits upon completion of both days.



This is a two-day class that runs both Wednesday, 3/18 and Thursday, 3/19 from 9 am - 5 pm. Lunch will be one hour, and on your own. Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9th, 2026, this class may be canceled.    

Kick off the 66th Annual USITT Conference 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.

This comprehensive 4-hour workshop guides participants through the essential tools and techniques for 3D modeling, rendering, and previsualization within Vectorworks and its Showcase feature, designed specifically for entertainment and live event design professionals. Starting with hands-on instruction in 3D modeling, you will learn to create detailed yet efficient models using texturing and free-form design methods that enhance presentation quality. The session then advances to rendering tips to visually elevate your models for impactful presentations. Next, explore the powerful capabilities of the Showcase feature in Vectorworks Spotlight, where you will discover how to bring your designs to life with real-time DMX control and dynamic lighting effects. Through practical demonstrations, you will gain skills to manipulate lighting fixtures and control moving scenery with DMX transforms, enhancing stage dynamics and the overall design workflow. Whether new to Vectorworks or looking to sharpen your previsualization and presentation skills, this workshop equips you to communicate your creative vision clearly and effectively.

Learning Objectives:

• Create efficient and visually compelling 3D models in Vectorworks, utilizing textures and conceptual design techniques to reduce complexity and enhance detail.
• Apply advanced rendering strategies to present 3D models with professional-quality visuals that support clear presentation and design communication.
• Utilize Vectorworks Spotlight’s Showcase feature to control lighting fixtures and stage elements through real-time DMX control, enabling realistic previsualization of live event designs.

This is a half-day class on Saturday, 3/21, from 9 am - 1 pm.  Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled.

Brought to you by the Lighting Design and Technology Commission

 

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.

This is a half-day class on Thursday, 3/19, from 12:30 pm - 4:30  pm.  Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled

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. 

Presented by the Management Commission.

Transportation 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. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9th, this tour may be canceled.

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 on Wednesday, 3/18, from 8 am - 4:30 pm. Lunch will be on your own. Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled.
 

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 at https://www.propared.com/learn/.

Relevant Commissions: Management, Technical Production

Level: Intermediate-Advanced

This 2-part 4-hour class will take place on Thursday, March 16. This free opportunity is made possible through the generosity of our partnership with Propared. Seats are limited to 30 and the class will fill quickly.

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. We'll wrap up our day with a visit to a few fabric stores, allowing you to browse and chat with local costume artisans. Can't wait to have you join us! Wear comfortable shoes!
Transportation and lunch included.
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 February 9th, this tour may be canceled.

 

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. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9th, this tour may be canceled.

 

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.

This is a full-day class on Thursday, 3/19 from 9 am - 4:30 pm. Lunch will be on your own. Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled.

Special thanks to our PDW sponsors:

Chauvet Lighting
ACT Entertainement
ClayPaky Lighting
Monkey Wrench Productions

Presented by the Lighting Design and Technology Commission
ETCP certificants will also receive 3.5 continuing education renewal credits.

 

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 live data

This is a full-day class on Wednesday, 3/18, from 10 am - 5 pm. Lunch will be on your own. Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled.
 

Getting Ready

Before we begin, there are a few important things to keep in mind that will make the workshop run smoothly, and ensure you can focus on getting the most out of our time together. Below you’ll find a list of required first steps / tools to have with you, and some recommended steps to help you prepare.

Required

• Bring you Laptop – Mac or PC. Make sure you review the System Requirements from Derivative so you know you have a machine that’s TouchDesigner ready. Don’t forget your power adapter – TouchDesigner is largely a GPU based environment. This makes for fast operations, but often means that your battery will get consumed quickly. You’ll definitely want your adapter, even if it’s a pain to lug around.

• Download TouchDesigner 099 – it’s very important to make sure your machine can run TouchDesigner before you get to the workshop. There are some specific graphics card requirements and making sure everything works before the first day will make sure we can get the group started right away. We'll be using the latest stable version of TouchDesigner for the workshop - if you have an older version installed, just know that some examples in the workshop may look a little different. You can download TouchDesigner here - https://derivative.ca/download

• Get your TouchDesigner 099 License – you can register for a Derivative account here - Derivative Registration, and that will make sure you can create a non-commercial license key. The non-commercial license is free, and we won’t need anything more than this for our workshop. Register for your account here - https://derivative.ca/user/register

Recommended

• A 3 Button mouse – You certainly can use a track pad while you’re working, but you’ll be much happier to have an actual mouse for working in Touch. Download and Install a text Editor – Visual Studio Code is a great place to start if you don't have one.

• Bring some Assets – You certainly don’t have to bring any extra assets, but it’s often nice to have more than just the stock images / videos handy.

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 on Wednesday, 3/18, from 7:30 am - 5 pm to take place on the CAL State - Long Beach campus. Lunch will be on your own. Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled. Transportation provided.
Presented by Scene Design & Technology Commission.

 

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.

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. (See https://disneyland.disney.go.com/ for details). Return transportation to the Long Beach Convention Center will not be provided for guests extending their stay in Anaheim beyond the PDW tour.

Transportation included. 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 February 9th, this tour may be canceled.

Presented by the Education Commission.

 

 

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.

This is a full-day class on Wednesday, 3/18, from 10 am - 5 pm. Lunch will be on your own. Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled.

 

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.

This is a half-day class on Thursday, 3/19, from 8 am - 12  pm.  Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled.

 

 

This introductory hands-on workshop 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 lectures and demonstrations, and explored through a series of hands-on labs. Network device control will also be investigated, and other topics like VLANs, simple routing and broadcast storms will be demonstrated in group exercises.  Participants need to bring a PC or macOS laptop with a hardwired Ethernet connection (or inexpensive USB Ethernet adapter), and install some free software.  If possible, participants should read Huntington's Introduction to Show Networking book in advance of the workshop. Huntington is an ETCP-recognized trainer. .

This class counts for 12 hours of ETCP-recognized training towards renewal credit.


This is a two-day class on Wednesday and Thursday, 3/18 & 3/19, from 9 am - 4:30 pm.. Lunch will be on your own. Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled.

 

 

Tours of venues across the city. 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 February 9th, this tour may be canceled.
 

Pick up and drop off for buses to the Night at the Aquarium of the Pacific will begin at 6:30 pm at 300 E Ocean Blvd, in front of the Terrace Theatre. Please arrive early: Fire marshall will determine capacity. The walk to the aquarium is .5 miles; buses are reserved for those who are in need of transportation. If you can walk, we appreciate saving the extra seats for those who need them. Buses will run continuous routes from 6:30 - 9:00 pm.
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.

This introductory hands-on workshop 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 lectures and demonstrations, and explored through a series of hands-on labs. Network device control will also be investigated, and other topics like VLANs, simple routing and broadcast storms will be demonstrated in group exercises.  Participants need to bring a PC or macOS laptop with a hardwired Ethernet connection (or inexpensive USB Ethernet adapter), and install some free software.  If possible, participants should read Huntington's Introduction to Show Networking book in advance of the workshop. Huntington is an ETCP-recognized trainer. .

This class counts for 12 hours of ETCP-recognized training towards renewal credit.


This is a two-day class on Wednesday and Thursday, 3/18 & 3/19, from 9 am - 4:30 pm.. Lunch will be on your own. Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled.

 

 

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 soldering experience.

This is a half-day class on Wednesday, 3/18, from 8 am - 12 pm. Advanced registration and additional payment required. If minimum attendance is not met by February 9^th, 2026, this class may be canceled.

Brought to you by the Lighting Design and Technology Commission