Richard Pilbrow, Theatre Projects founder, has brought together a dynamic and highly accomplished group of women to discuss the evolving roles of women in the theatre and entertainment technology industries over the last 60 years at the upcoming 40th annual PLASA Show in London.
“The extraordinary vitality of British theatre today is thrilling,” Richard said. “But for me, little has been more exhilarating than to see the rise of women to leadership roles in our industry. Of course, much progress remains to be made, but this explosion of talent offers great hopes for the future.”
The not-to-be missed session is titled Theatre Projects at 60: Women Backstage….A New Theatre? and will explore the barriers overcome, hard-fought achievements, and the obstacles still faced by women in the industry.
Anne Minors, founding director of Sound Space Vision, will co-moderate the session with Richard. Other panelists include Dawn Chiang (Theatre Projects’ senior consultant and award-winning lighting designer), Lisa Burger (executive director of the National Theatre of Great Britain), Rae Smith (Oliver- and Tony-winning scenic designer behind productions like War Horse), and Anne Valentino (ETC’s senior controls product manager).
“This is a remarkable panel of women who have risen to the top of the industry in design, management, and product development,” Dawn Chiang, said. “We’re here to talk about the progress that’s been made and to talk to the next generation of women about what the next steps are and what possibilities lie ahead.”
Richard will also moderate the session: 40 Years of Lighting Design, which looks back over the last four decades of lighting design in the UK, examining how the role, expectations, and capabilities of lighting designers have changed in that time.
The 40th annual PLASA Show will be held from September 17 – 19 at the Olympia London Conference Center. The show brings together hundreds of live entertainment industry professionals to attend training sessions, technical workshops, exchange knowledge and discuss new ideas, demo new products, and network.
Additional PLASA Show activities and sessions include live audio demonstrations, a lighting designers’ showcase, a demonstration of rigging safety products and best practices, business strategy advice and market forecasting, career guidance sessions, and many networking opportunities.
For more information about the conference or to purchase tickets, visit: http://www.plasashow.com/
