The Elite Training Weekend, which takes place annually at the Cirque du Soleil training facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, includes classes in Automation, Rigging, Sound, and Projection for a limit of eight students each. Students, selected by application, spend days with trainers and evenings backstage at Cirque du Soleil shows. Applicants are USITT members who are studying at University.
Stage Technologies' VP of business development, Gemma Guy said, "We enjoy taking part in the USITT Elite Training Weekend because the students are always so enthusiastic. This year there were about 25 applications for the Automation course, which proves how popular the discipline continues to be. And with more and more automated venues out there, the industry needs more operators and programmers. We work with USITT to make students and faculty aware of the new technology and job opportunities out there and participating in the Elite Training Weekend helps us to spread that message. It's also an opportunity to give back to USITT and the industry."
(Jim Evans)
