TECHnically Speaking

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Jul 2026

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About the show

TECHnically Speaking is the the official podcast of The United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Follow along with us as we discuss the stories and work of our members as well as industry topics and happenings.

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60 recent

July 10, 202626 min

Going Deep with IDEAS: How We Can All Do the Work at USITT and Beyond

TECHnically Speaking is back from its hiatus with an invaluable conversation with present and future leadership of the IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Social Justice) Committe. Current chair Cary Gillett and incoming chair Lawrence "Larry" Bennett take us through the history and continuing growth of the IDEAS committee, how former members are still "doing the work" in other parts of the Institute, resources to adopt IDEAS practices into your own life and career, and much more. IDEAS Resources TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

February 28, 20251 hr 9 min

Barbizon’s Kearston Dillard-Scott and the USITT25 Lighting Lab

On this week’s episode, we chatted with lighting designer and Barbizon Lighting Company Senior Sales Associate Kearston Dillard-Scott about the USITT25 Lighting Lab presented by the Lighting Design & Technology Commission in collaboration with Barbizon Lighting Company. Get insider knowledge of the lab, learn the positives of taking selling out of learning spaces, and join Kearston and her crew at the USITT25 Lighting Lab next week! Click here to view dates and times for the USITT25 Lighting Lab . Click here to view the full USITT25 schedule . TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

January 31, 202536 min

Dive Into Wenger's Rigging Guide for Performance Spaces with Wenger Consultant Partnership Manager and Systems Integrator Eric Huss

This week we chatted with ETCP certified Rigger, Consultant Partnership Manager, and Systems Integrator at Wenger Corporation, Eric Huss. Tune into the episode to get the details on Wenger's reimagined and vastly comprehensive Rigging Guide for Performance Spaces, how venues can go beyond the minimum standards of ADA compliance, and how you can connect with the Wenger team at USITT25 in just a few weeks! Visit Wenger in Booth 625 during USITT25 ! Access Wenger's Rigging Guide for Performance Spaces . TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

December 6, 202435 min

Breaking Down the BACKstage Exam with Dana Taylor

In this episode, we're breaking down the details of the BACKstage Exam with educator, USITT Board Member, and co-creator of the exam, Dana Taylor. Learn about how the exam came to be, how educators and students find mutual benefits within its purpose, and how you too can take part in this Basic and Comprehensive Knowledge Exam for High School Technical Theatre Students! Attend Dana's sessions at USITT25 to learn more about BACKstage: BACKstage Exam: Measuring HS Technical Theatre Success and BACKstage Plus: Rountable Discussions for Lights, Audio, Scenic Construction and Rigging. Resources mentioned in this episode: The BACKstage Exam Technical Theater Educators Facebook Group iRigging Tools by JR Clancy One Shot Training by DeLong Rigging Solutions TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

November 7, 20241 hr 21 min

Reflecting on the Last Year With Executive Director Laura Lee Everett

We chatted with Executive Director Laura Lee Everett a year and a half after her initial TECHnically Speaking interview to reflect on what she has seen, what she has experienced, what she has accomplished, and what she hopes USITT will accomplish in the coming years. TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

October 11, 202426 min

USITT24 Series with Tianxuan Chen — 2024 USITT Scene Design Award Winner Sponsored by Rose Brand

This week we're joined by scenic and lighting designer and 2024 winner of the USITT Scene Design Award sponsored by Rose Brand, Tianxuan Chen! We chatted with Tianxuan about her design process, using music as inspiration for design, how "inflatable tube men" can add a unique element to the stage, and more! Click here to learn more about Tianxuan and the USITT Scene Design Award sponsored by Rose Brand . Click here to nominate someone for one of our 2025 YDMT Awards including the USITT Scene Design Award sponsored by Rose Brand . TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

September 19, 202421 min

USITT24 Series with Nancy Uffner — DAA in Education Winner

On this week's episode, we chat with stage manager and educator Nancy Uffner, our 2024 Distinguished Achievement Award (DAA) winner for her work in Education. Join us as we ask Nancy about her career highlights, her approach to stage management, what advice she has for the next generation, and more! Click here to listen to the episode or search "TECHnically Speaking" wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about Nancy and the DAA in Education, click here . Interested in registering for our Ken Vannice Electrical Workshop? Click here . TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

August 16, 202416 min

USITT24 Series with Annie Hennen — 2024 USITT Stage Management Award Winner Sponsored by Clear-Com Communications Systems

This week we're joined by stage manager and 2024 winner of the USITT Stage Management Award sponsored by Clear-Com Communications Systems, Annie Hennen! We chatted with Annie about their stage management style, their time at the Santa Fe Opera, a holy grail backstage product they always have on them, and more! Click here to learn more about Annie and the USITT Stage Management Award sponsored by Clear-Com Communications Systems . TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

August 2, 202425 min

USITT24 Series with Tiara Jones — 2024 USITT Makeup Design Award Winner sponsored by Kryolan Professional Make-Up

This week we're joined by licensed cosmetologist, makeup artist, wig designer, and 2024 winner of the USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Professional Make-Up, Tiara Jones! We chatted with Tiara about her work in fashion, makeup, and wig design, her holy grail makeup product, the challenges she's faced as a young professional, her creative process, and more! Click here to learn more about Tiara Jones and the USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Professional Make-Up . TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

July 26, 202432 min

USITT24 Series with Anastasia Goodwin — 2024 Herbert D. Greggs Honor Award Winner

On this week's episode, we spoke with costume designer, educator, and 2024 Herbert D. Greggs Honor Award winner, Anastasia Goodwin about her winning article, "The Costume History Classroom as Laboratory" which appeared in the Fall 2022 issue of our journal Theatre Design & Technology ( TD&T ). We chatted with Anastasia about her passion for education, the innovative teaching methods covered in her article, how these methods can enhance the learning experience for students, and what she hopes the costume history classroom continues to grow into. The Herbert D. Greggs Award (highest honor) and the Herbert D. Greggs Merit Award promote innovative, in-depth writing about theatre design and technology in TD&T . Named in honor of a highly-regarded former USITT General Manager, the Herbert D. Greggs Award was first given in 1979. The "Merit Awards" began in 1998. Click here to learn more about Anastasia Goodwin and the Herbert D. Greggs Award . To read Anastasia's article, click here . Please note you may be asked to sign into your USITT Member account to access this article. TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.