United States Institute for Theatre Technology


The United States Institute for Theatre Technology is a membership organization which aims to advance the skills and knowledge of theatre, entertainment and performing arts professionals involved in the areas of design, production and technology, and to generally promote their interests. To this end, the USITT mounts conferences and exhibitions, promulgates awards and publications, and supports research. USITT is a non-profit organization which has its headquarters in Syracuse, New York.
USITT heads up a conference held annually since 1961. The conference focuses on various workshops, that help educate attendees on several aspects of theatre. They also have a stage expo, in which companies showcase their products to the individuals attending the conference. There are also many opportunities for students to show their portfolios for review, and to get a look at programs offered by universities and colleges around the country.
The members of the Institute have created a number of projects that have had a lasting impact upon the industry.
USITT sponsors the annual Young Designers and Technicians Awards recognizing the finest young people in the industry.

Commissions

Sound Design Commission

The Sound Design Commission is a society which assists and promotes theatrical technical professions in the United States. It is one of the newest Commissions created by the USITT within their working groups. In 1980 it appeared as the "Lighting and Sound Design Commission" and the two groups met and worked together for several years until the Sound Design members dramatically outnumbered the Lighting Design members and the Commission was split into two. The first Sound Design Commissioner was Charlie Richmond who served from 1980 through 1988. It remains one of the most active Commissions within the USITT.

Conference sites

2019 Louisville, Kentucky
2018 Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2017
St. Louis, Missouri
2016
Salt Lake City, Utah
2015
Cincinnati, Ohio
Duke Energy Convention Center
2014
Fort Worth, Texas
2013
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Frontier Airlines Center
2012
Long Beach, California
Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center
2011
Charlotte, North Carolina
2010
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City Convention Center
2009
Cincinnati, Ohio
Duke Energy Center
2008
Houston, Texas
George R. Brown Convention Center
2007
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix Convention Center
2006
Louisville, Kentucky
Kentucky International Convention Center
2005
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
2004
Long Beach, California
Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center

2003
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis Convention Center
2002
New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana Superdome
2001
Long Beach, California
Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center
2000
Denver, Colorado
Denver Convention Complex
1999
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
1998
Long Beach, California
Long Beach Convention Center

1997
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
David L. Lawrence Convention Center / Doubletree Hotel

1996
Fort Worth, Texas
Tarrant County Convention Center / Radisson Hotel

1995
Las Vegas, Nevada
MGM Grand Hotel & Theme Park
1994
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville Convention Center & Stouffers' Hotel

1993
Wichita, Kansas
Century II Convention Center / various hotels

1992
Seattle, Washington
Washington State Convention & Trade Center / Seattle Sheraton

1991
Boston, Massachusetts
Sheraton/Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center
1990
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hyatt Regency Hotel / MECCA
1989
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Calgary Convention Centre

1988
Anaheim, California
Disneyland Hotel

1987
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Hyatt Regency Hotel

1986
Oakland, California
Hyatt Regency Hotel

1985
New York, New York
Sheraton Center Hotel
Dedicated to Harold Burris-Meyer and Hans Sondheimer
1984
Orlando, Florida
Hyatt Regency Hotel
1983
Corpus Christi, Texas
Bayfront Convention Center
Dedicated to Walter H. Walters

1982
Denver, Colorado
Hilton Hotel
Dedicated to Herbert D. Greggs

1981
Cleveland, Ohio
Stouffers' Inn
Dedicated to Margaret Ezekiel

1980
Kansas City, Kansas
Glenwood Manor Convention Center
1979
Seattle, Washington
Olympic Hotel

1978
Phoenix, Arizona
The Adams Hotel

1977
Washington, DC
Loews L'Enfant Hotel
1976
New Orleans, Louisiana
Marriott Hotel

1975
Anaheim, California
Anaheim Convention Center

1974
New York, New York
Waldorf Astoria Hotel
1973
St. Louis, Missouri
Bel Air East Hotel

1972
San Francisco, California
Mark Hopkins Hotel

1971
Dallas, Texas
Marriott Hotel
1970
New York, New York
Barbizon Plaza Hotel
1969
Los Angeles, California
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
1968
Chicago, Illinois
Goodman Theatre
1967
New York, New York
Barbizon Plaza Hotel
1966
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
University of Toronto
1965
Bloomington, Indiana
Indiana University

1964
New York, New York
Barbizon Plaza Hotel

1963
New York, New York
The Juilliard School

1962
New York, New York
Time-Life Building
1961
New York, New York
The Juilliard School