Martin Thomas of Relentless Lighting Design is preparing for the upcoming Jill Scott tour in support of The Real Thing. The first US leg runs February to April, before heading to Europe and Asia. Creative Stage Lighting Co., Inc. is the lighting vendor, with additional support from Masque Sound and a Kabuki system from Fragoso, Inc. Upcoming projects for Relentless Lighting Design include the world tour for Erykah Badu's Nu Amerykah and the Farewell Tour and Concert video for The Alan Parsons Live Project later in the year.
Dicapo Opera Theatre presents the New York premiere of Conrad Susa's The Dangerous Liaisons and the world premiere of the chamber version of the opera in four performances from February 21 to March 2. The production is by Michael Capasso, sets by John Farrell, costumes by Angela Huff, and lighting by Susan Roth.
Houston Grand Opera stages the world premiere of Jake Heggie's Last Acts on February 29 in the Cullen Theatre at the Wortham Center. Costumes are by fashion designer Cesar Galindo, with lighting design by Brian Nason and scenic design by Leonard Folgia.
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College opened its 2007-08 Theatre Series with The Acting Company's production of William Shakespeare's The Tempest on January 27. The creative team includes Clint Ramos (costume design), Thomas Shaw (music composition), Michael Chybowski (lighting design), Fitz Patton (sound design), Tracey Bersley (movement), and Elizabeth Smith (voice and text consultant). Brooklyn Center will also host a performance by the European-style circus troupe Cirque Le Masque on February 24, on its US tour of Carnivale, with original music written by Quentin Chiappata, set design by Foamway of Canada, scenery by Dream Works, costumes by Desmond, and lighting design by Martin Postma.
The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) is the first major West Coast convention center to require rigging supervisors to be certified under the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP). New vendors must meet these qualifications immediately, while previously approved vendors have until the end of 2008.
Martin Professional A/S was awarded a technology grant from the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation for the development of new LED technologies. The project, called INLED (Intelligent Light Emitting Diodes), is a cooperation between Martin Professional A/S, Denmark's Aalborg University, and the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation.
Tait Towers handled the stage renovation and transformation in the 4,100-seat Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The 2008 season kicks off February 20th with Bette Midler's The Showgirl Must Go On and will be followed by Cher and Elton John.