The Department of Theatre and Dance is pleased to announce that the Entertainment Technician Certification Program of the Entertainment Services and Technology Association has recognized Stephen E. Rees as an ETCP Certified Rigger for Theatre.
He joins the ranks of fewer than 500 such certified theatre and arena riggers in the U.S. and Canada following successful completion of a rigorous evaluative process and written examination. He has served as the Technical Director of Department of Theatre and Dance since 1982 and currently serves as department Chair. His career as a theatre technician spans over 30 years in both academic and professional theatre environments. He is one of only a handful of academics who have attained this coveted certification. Most certificants are professionals in the entertainment industry.
It is the vision of ESTA to develop an ANSI-Accredited Personnel Certification Program to recognize those individuals who have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in specific disciplines within the entertainment technology field. By providing a thorough, independent assessment of knowledge, skills and abilities for entertainment technology disciplines, the Program seeks to enhance safety, reduce workplace risk, improve performance, stimulate training, and give due recognition to the professional skills of entertainment technicians.
The Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) is an industry-wide program that has brought together an unprecedented group of industry organizations, businesses, and individuals to create a program of rigorous assessments for professional technicians.
Personnel certification is the voluntary process by which a nongovernmental organization grants recognition to an individual who has demonstrated certain abilities, skills, and knowledge. ETCP encompasses the creation of exams based upon identified bodies of knowledge, the conducting of those examinations, the awarding of certifications, and re-certifying individuals.
Under the auspices of the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA), ETCP was developed with the following organizations: Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology (CITT), InfoComm International, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM), The League of American Theatres and Producers, Safety and Health in Arts Production and Entertainment (SHAPE), Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), and United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT).
The ETCP Certification Council membership also includes the following entertainment business leaders: BASE Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil / MGM MIRAGE, Live Nation, and Production Resource Group (PRG).
ETCP focuses on disciplines that directly affect the health and safety of crews, performers, and audiences. Two key areas were identified for initial development - electrical skills and rigging skills, and there are currently three certifications: Rigger – Arena, Rigger – Theatre, and Entertainment Electrician.
