View this email in your browser

ABTT Members' Newsletter,
November 2019

Dear Member,

Please find details of some important up-coming events. We recommend you put them in your diary now to ensure you don't miss out! There are also plenty of discounts and offers so make sure to check them out too!

We also wanted to remind you that the new ABTT website is now live and waiting for you to go and look around. You can reset your password here to access your membership offers and discounts.

It is also that time of the year again, soon you will be receiving your Membership Renewal letters (and Christmas Card) - if they have not arrived already. Details on how to renew your membership for 2020 are included on the letter with your new Membership Card enclosed.

Please do read the letter carefully as it will let you know if you have already paid, have a direct debit set up, or need to renew manually for next year.

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events or training and thank you for your ongoing participation and support of the ABTT!

ABTT News:
ABTT AGM: New Council Members'
ABTT Website: Your feedback requested

Upcoming Events:
London on Stage - A Maggie Collins Christmas Lecture: 5th Dec 2019
ABTT Christmas Party: 6th Dec 2019
STR Lecture - Theatrical Preservation, Legislation and Education: 9th Jan 2020
Theatres at Risk Register: 6th Feb 2020
Find your Future: 7th Feb 2020
STSG Conference 2020: 15th Feb

ABTT Offers:
Technical Standards: Revised April '19
ABTT Discount: Stage Pyrotechnic Awareness Course on 27th Nov 2019
Membership: Become a Full MEMBER!

ABTT Training:
ABTT Bronze Award: Glasgow 2020
ABTT Bronze Award: Manchester 2020
ABTT Training: In-Venue Training

Affiliate & ISG Member News:

Action Needed: Apprentice Trailblazers
New ISG Member: Artistic Licence
FREE Job Adverts: ISG and AG Members
Training Discounts: ISG and AG Members

Other News:
Technical Training Placement: Tangle
CAD Standards: Call to review
Fifteen draft ESTA Standards: Review
ESTA: A new Project
Get into Theatre: Essential Website
APPG Launched
THEATREHELPLINE.org

ABTT Annual General Meeting and Council Elections 2019

On Monday 4th November 2019, the ABTT Annual General Meeting took place at the multi-million pound refurbishment by award-winning architects Haworth Tompkins of Battersea Arts Centre.

Six vacancies on the ABTT Council occurred at the time of the AGM with Eight candidates to choose from. These were:
Mig Burgess, Alexander Cann, Andy Franks, Peter Maccoy, Caroline Rouse, Nikki Scott, Richard Williamson and Emma Wilson.

Following the AGM, the results of the ABTT Council elections were announced, stating that Mig Burgess, Andy Franks, Peter Maccoy, Caroline Rouse, Nikki Scott and Emma Wilson have been elected and they join the continuing trustees who are Louise Birchall, David Evans, Darren Joyce, Anette Ollerearnshaw and John Young.

The Auditors MHA MacIntyre Hudson LLP were appointed to serve until the next Annual General Meeting. The AGM closed at 12.45pm. Jack Champion, Head of Production and Technical, Dan Shelley, Technical Manager and Mike Cunningham, Production Manager then conducted an excellent tour of the BAC premises and new production facilities. The gathered company were lead in three groups on a thorough inspection of the splendid premises.

ABTT Website Launch 2019

If you’ve visited abtt.org.uk in the last week, you'll have noticed that things are looking very different. We’ve launched our new website and we’re excited to introduce our new digital home and run you through some of the exciting new features that we’ve added.

As well as a fresh new look; the updated site includes a mobile-friendly platform and a better experience for mobile, tablet and desktop users. We’ve also improved the structure, so you’ll find what you’re looking for more easily.

Find out more about the changes to the website in more detail here.

We welcome all feedback as we're hoping to make the site as user friendly as possible.
Happy exploring!

Out with the old and in with the new!

One of the key production tools on the ABTT Website is our Theatre Listings page in the Technical Resources' section. As part of our move to the new site we need to make sure all of the technical details we hold for your theatre are up to date.

To make sure that your theatre is included on the new ABTT site please download the form here.

All the information you provide will go towards ensuring that there is a comprehensive list of Technical Details for Theatres in the UK – allowing touring productions to find all the information they need in one place.

Please be aware that even if you were listed on the old website – you will need to submit a new form in order to appear on the new website as previous details have not been transferred across!

Please send your completed form through to office@abtt.org.uk and we shall post the information on the ABTT website as quickly as possible.

Download your form now!

London on stage:
STR Lecture
The Art Workers' Guild, London
5th December 2019
Delivered by Horatio Blood

Drawing upon the rich wealth of pictorial evidence in the engraved sheets of characters and scenes of the English toy theatre, or Juvenile Drama, Horatio Blood will explore how London was presented on stage during the early nineteenth century.

As well as preserving a unique record of stage scenery and costumes, these cheap prints also provide an overlooked topographical depiction of a lost metropolis, and are as evocative and informative as the drawings of George Scharf or Tallis’s Street Views.

MORE INFO

Theatrical Preservation, Legislation and Education - STR Lecture
St Anne's Soho, London
9th January 2020

On 15^th June 1948, a group of theatre professionals and enthusiasts gathered at the Old Vic to discuss the formation of a society dedicated to researching and promoting their shared interest. In the seventy years since, the STR has played a fundamental role in British theatre history, but its work has often been overlooked. In this lecture STR’s legacy will be explored as captured in its archive, highlighting the most significant achievements – as well as some of the more unexpected findings.

MORE INFO

Find your Future: BECTU
Westminster Kingsway College. London, WC1X 8RA
7th February 2020

The event is aimed at 16-24 year olds and new entrants who are not pursuing higher education and are interested in working in the creative sectors. So if you are looking to pursue an apprenticeship or trainee opportunity or a teacher or parent looking to support a young person's career, then come along to Find Your Future 2020 and see what's on offer.

If you would like to bring a large group (eg from a school) please contact Paula Lamont via Email plamont@bectu.org.uk directly to book your places.

There will be a series of panel discussions and workshops throughout the day to help you decide on your career path in film and TV, theatre and live events.

MORE INFO

ABTT Christmas Party 2019

Gillian Lynne Theatre,
Corner of Drury Lane and Parker Street, London, WC2B 5PW.

Friday 6^th December 2019.
12.30pm-16.30pm

The ABTT Christmas Party, generously supported by ETC and LW Theatres, will be at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on Friday 6^th December 2019.

Affiliates, Associates, Members, Supporters, Fellows and friends are invited to join the festivities from 12.30pm until 16:30pm

Last chance to RSVP by Friday 29th November.

Please reply to the ABTT office via phone on 027 242 9200 or email.

RSVP NOW

Theatres Trust: Theatres at Risk Register 2020
St Annes Soho, London
6th February 2020

Claire Appleby, Architectural Adviser for the Theatres Trust, introduces the newly-announced Theatres at Risk Register for 2019 which highlights and supports the theatre buildings under threat and at greatest risk across the UK.

A working theatre plays an important role for its local community, and the Theatres Trust raises awareness of theatres at risk to ensure these incredible buildings are kept safe. They launch their register annually to bring their stories to a national audience.

MORE INFO

STSG Conference 2020
York, Ampleforth Abbey and College
15th February 2020

The day will feature a busy programme of workshops and seminars with lunch included, running from 9am-5pm. This will be followed by a special dinner at the school, plus overnight accommodation in the school’s recently-built conference boarding house.

Ampleforth is located north of York in the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors, just 25-min drive from Thirsk on the A1 motorway.

Workshops are provided by our industry sponsors and other invited speakers.

We try to cater for a mix of subjects and knowledge levels, incorporating advice and feedback from previous conferences.

MORE INFO

TECHNICAL STANDARDS:
Revised April '19

We are pleased to announce that the 'Yellow Book' or 'Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment' was updated again as of April 2019.

You can now purchase the revised edition from the online ABTT Shop which contains all of the updates that have occurred since its original release in 2015.

Make sure that your copy is up to date by ordering here!

Remember, with an ABTT Membership you get a sizeable discount when logged in and ordering through the ABTT Website.

PURCHASE HERE

ABTT Discount:
Stage Pyrotechnics Course

Where: Kenneth More Theatre
ABTT Member’s price: £100.00
Non-member’s price: £120.00
27 November | 9:15 am - 5:00pm

This course has been created to educate, assist, identify and understand safety issues when using close proximity Theatrical/Stage Pyrotechnics (Category T1 Articles Pyrotechnic).

ABTT Members are eligible for discount when booking this course.

To obtain your discount code please see here.

BOOK NOW

MEMBERSHIP:
Become a Full MEMBER

Congratulations to everyone who has been accepted as a Full MEMBER so far this year!

Calling all those with ABTT Associate membership.

Do you think your expertise and knowledge could be better used? We do too! Become a Full MEMBER and see what more you can contribute to the ABTT.

Voting Rights are only bestowed on those who have been admitted as Full MEMBERS of the Association, and they also have the right to stand for election to the ABTT Council.

These are direct ways in which you can shape and influence the Association and fresh ideas are always welcome.

All you have to do is send your current CV and the name & contact details (including email) for two referees, to the ABTT Office via email. Your application will be presented at the next ABTT Council meeting and you will be notified immediately afterwards of the outcome.

NB: The Subscription for a Full MEMBER is the same as for an Associate, so if you have already renewed your membership for this year - there is no further cost! Read in full.

ABTT Bronze Award:
Glasgow, RCS

Dates: 28th January – 1st February

Venue: The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow.

Cost:
£640 + VAT for ABTT Members
£740 + VAT for Non-Members

Accreditation:
Accredited by RCS to SCQF Level 7

The course includes:

- Manual Handling and Introduction to Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

- Electrical Fundamentals

- Knots & Splicing

- Fundamentals of Flying

- Safe use of temporary access equipment

Download your application form now!

ABTT Bronze Award:
Manchester, RNCM

Dates: 30th March – 3rd April

Venue: The Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester

Cost:
£640 + VAT for ABTT Members
£740 + VAT for Non-Members

Accreditation:
Accredited by RCS to SCQF Level 7

The course includes:

- Manual Handling and Introduction to Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

- Electrical Fundamentals

- Knots & Splicing

- Fundamentals of Flying

- Safe use of temporary access equipment

Download your application form now!

ABTT Training: In venue

The ABTT offers practical onsite training covering various topics. Our courses are designed to ensure that the candidates develop both their practical skill set as well as understanding the regulations and health and safety requirements behind them. This combination of practical and theoretical work ensures that a through understanding of the material and how to apply it in a day to day role is achieved.

Many of our courses are available throughout the year in various locations in the UK, but these can also be run on-demand via peripatetic delivery. Courses may be delivered anywhere within the UK, or abroad and the ABTT would welcome interested theatres or organisations who wish to act as a host venues to get in contact.

There may be some specialist requirements depending on which courses you are interested in. For example, for the Bronze Award, we would require the ability to fly scenery using hemp or counterweight.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us on office@abtt.org.uk with the following information:

The course you wish to run
Venue location
Number of candidates
Availability in your calendar

What are you waiting for? Sign up to your next ABTT Training Course and validate your skills today.

Action Needed:
Apprenticeship Trailblazers

The final push is on to recruit employers to the latest theatre and production Apprenticeship Trailblazer groups. We have the chance to create the following brand new Apprenticeship Standards for our industry:

Scenic Automation
Scenic Artist
Scenic Construction
Theatrical hair, makeup and prosthetics (which will be transferable across the Theatre, Film and TV sectors)

We need as many employers as possible to join each of these four new Trailblazer groups to ensure the Apprenticeship Standards genuinely serve the needs of the industry.

If we fail to supply a least ten employers for each Trailblazer – we risk loosing the ability to develop these standards.

Employers outside London are particularly required.

Please reply to the call for participants issued by CCSkills below:

New Apprenticeships Standards - Can you contribute your technical expertise?

Do you work in:

Scenic Automation
Scenic Artist
Scenic Construction
Theatrical hair, makeup and prosthetics (which will be transferable across the Theatre, Film and TV sectors)

If you, or your teams, are able to share expertise:

They should ideally have a comprehensive understanding of the occupation the standard is being developed for;
They will be supporting the process for circa 1 year, but you won’t be required to attend any more than 4 to 6 meetings in total.

Creative & Cultural Skills endeavours to make the process of developing new technical Apprenticeship standards as simple as possible for employers, so they manage all the associated paperwork and liaison with the Institute for Apprenticeships on the Trailblazer’s behalf. You, the employers, simply need to provide your expertise!

If you are interested in being on any of the these three Trailblazer groups, please email Creative and Cultural Skills directly: creativecareers@ccskills.org.uk

New ISG Member:
Artistic Licence Integration

The ABTT wishes to welcome Artistic Licence Integration to the ABTT Industry Supporters' Group.

They have recently won the PLASA Innovation Gold Award for their
sunDial quad, a new trailing edge mains dimmer with outstanding dimming performance and advanced safety features.

The sunDial quad is set to trigger a conceptual shift in the perceived suitability of dimmable LED replacement bulbs for the professional market.

Industry Supporters & Affiliate Members: Advertise your jobs!

- FREE JOB ADVERTS!

Are you an Industry Supporter or Affiliated Member? Make sure you are taking advantage of your Membership Benefits fully!

As an Affiliated Organisation or Industry Supporter, you are eligible to receive a MINIMUM of 3 FREE ADVERTS per year, and it's easier than ever to submit your advert.

Simply fill in your form here: https://www.abtt.org.uk/industry-jobs/submit-a-role/

And we'll get this up and live on the website for your ASAP.

Industry Supporters & Affiliate Members: Train your staff!

- DISCOUNTS ON IN-HOUSE TRAINING!

There may be some specialist requirements depending on which courses you are interested in. For example, for the Bronze Award, we would require the ability to fly scenery using hemp or counterweight.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us on training@abtt.org.uk with the following information:

The course you wish to run
Venue location
Number of candidates
Availability in your calendar

AMPLIFY Sound and Lighting Placement:

As part of AMPLIFY, Tangle Theatre Company's ongoing scheme to develop talent in off-stage roles for African, Caribbean theatre makers and those from diverse heritages, Tangle is offering a paid placement for a technical theatre maker at any career stage to train and develop their skills on our upcoming touring production, Ben Jonson’s VOLPONE.

Working with the production’s sound and lighting designers, the successful applicant will receive a fee of £750 (plus a travel grant) to devise their own programme, selecting areas of practice that interest them the most.

Details can be found here:
https://www.tangletheatre.co.uk/amplify/paid-sound-amp-lighting-placements

CAD Standards:
Available for public review

The ABTT are placing a call for participation in consultation with regards to reviewing and updating the Theatre & Production CAD Standards.

The Standards currently reside here.

Any feedback and thoughts about the current standards can be sent through to the ABTT Office at: office@abtt.org.uk

Fifteen Draft ESTA Standards:
Available for Public Review

Fifteen ESTA standards and draft standards are available for public review. Anyone materially affected by any document is invited to review it and to offer comments before the deadline. The comment due dates for the different documents are not all the same; please take note.

ANSI E1.17 – 2015, Entertainment Technology — Architecture for Control Networks (ACN)
ANSI E1.19 – 2015, Recommended Practice for the Use of Class A Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) Intended for Personnel Protection in the Entertainment Industry
BSR E1.2, Entertainment Technology – Design, Manufacture and Use of Aluminum Trusses and Towers
BSR E1.4-3, Entertainment Technology — Manually Operated Hoist Rigging System
BSR E1.6-2, Entertainment Technology – Design, Inspection, and Maintenance of Electric Chain Hoists for the Entertainment Industry
BSR E1.20, Entertainment Technology — Remote Device Management over USITT DMX512 Networks
BSR E1.21, Entertainment Technology — Temporary Structures Used for Technical Production of Outdoor Entertainment Events
BSR E1.23, Entertainment Technology — Design, Execution, and Maintenance of Atmospheric Effects
BSR E1.37-5, General Purpose Messages for ANSI E1.20, RDM
BSR E1.47, Entertainment Technology — Recommended Guidelines for Entertainment Rigging System Inspections
BSR E1.62, Minimum specifications for mass-produced portable platforms, ramps, stairs, and choral risers for live performance events
BSR E1.66, Safety Standard for Followspot Positions Erected for Short-term Use in Entertainment Venues
BSR ES1.9, Event Safety – Crowd Management
BSR ES1.7, Event Safety Requirements – Weather Preparedness
BSR ES1.19, Safety Requirements for Special Event Structures
BSR E1.21, Entertainment Technology — Temporary Structures Used for Technical Production of Outdoor Entertainment Events

More information on these Standards can be found here.

ESTA: A New Project

BSR E1.69, Reporting the Low-End Dimming Performance of Entertainment Luminaires Using LED Sources shall describe a way of showing the end-user or equipment specifier the low-end dimming performance of LED luminaires, when the luminaire output level is set by a control signal varying over the low-end range from 10% to 0%.

Right now, there is no way for an equipment specifier to see and compare the low-end dimming of a luminaire without actually looking at the unit, and then there is no way to tell another person what the specifier saw without using subjective terms. Marketing terms, such as “theatrical quality dimming” or “dims smoothly to black,” seem to say something, but really have no objective meaning. Interested? Contact Karl Ruling, standards@esta.org.

Get into Theatre:
An essential website

We believe all young people should have the same chance to get into theatre, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, class or disability.

The new 'Get into Theatre' website which launched recently has been created to ensure anyone can discover all the exciting opportunities available in theatre.

https://getintotheatre.org/

Theatre All-Party Parliamentary
Group (APPG) Launched

The official launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Theatre took place on 16 October 2019 with an event in Parliament.

Hosted by Giles Watling, Conservative MP for Clacton, and Tracy Brabin, Labour MP for Batley and Spen - both former professional actors - the group has been founded to support the resilience and relevance of theatre in the UK for audiences, its offstage and onstage workforce and society.

Guests heard speeches from Arts Minister Helen Whately MP, Shadow Minister Kevin Brennan MP, Tracy Brabin MP, APPG Vice-Chair Lord Kerslake and Julian Bird, CEO of the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre.

Actor Hugh Bonneville also spoke, introduced by Giles Watling MP, and there was a special performance from the Royal Shakespeare Company production Matilda The Musical.

The launch concluded with a panel conversation and provocations from leading theatre industry figures Fiona Allan (Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Birmingham Hippodrome), Yamin Choudury (Artistic Director of the Hackney Empire), Sonia Friedman (Producer) and Andrew Miller (Government Disability Champion for Arts and Culture).

The APPG's Statement of Purpose is to identify and debate potential opportunities and issues for the theatre industry in the UK, and increase fellow parliamentarians' understanding of the theatre and performing arts at a national and local level.

THEATREHELPLINE.org:

Theatre Helpline has been launched, a free 24-hour phone and email service supporting theatre professionals with any issue affecting their health and wellbeing.

The confidential resource, which has been available since June, offers support and advice on a range of personal and professional topics, including bullying, physical and mental health, finance, careers and retirement issues. It is open to anyone working in theatre, whether in-house or freelance.

Event	Date	Venue
London on Stage: STR Lecture	Thursday 5^thDecember 2019	Art Workers' Guild, London
ABTT Christmas Party	Friday 6th December 2019	Gillian Lynne Theatre, London
Theatrical Preservation, Legislation and Education: STR Lecture	Thursday 9th January 2020	St Anne's Soho, London
Bronze Award Glasgow, 2020	28th Jan -1st Feb 2020	Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Theatres at Risk Register: Theatres Trust	Thursday 6th February 2020	St Annes Soho, London
Find your Future: BECTU	Friday 7th February 2020	Westminster Kingsway College, London
STSG Conference 2020	Saturday 15th February 2020	Ampleforth College, near York
The Joe Orton Diaries: STR Lecture	Thursday 5th March 2020	St Annes Soho, London
Performance and the Politics of Fear: STR Lecture	Thursday 2nd April 2020	St Annes Soho, London
PLASA Leeds 2020	12th - 13th May 2020	Royal Armories Museum, Leeds
ABTT Theatre Show 2020	10th - 11th June 2020	Alexandra Palace, London
NATEAC	17th July 2020	New York, USA
Plasa London	6th-8th September 2020	London

ABTT Members' Newsletter, November 2019

Dear Member,

Out with the old and in with the new!

London on stage: STR Lecture The Art Workers' Guild, London 5th December 2019 Delivered by Horatio Blood

Theatrical Preservation, Legislation and Education - STR Lecture St Anne's Soho, London 9th January 2020

Find your Future: BECTU Westminster Kingsway College. London, WC1X 8RA 7th February 2020

ABTT Members' Newsletter,
November 2019

London on stage:
STR Lecture
The Art Workers' Guild, London
5th December 2019
Delivered by Horatio Blood

Theatrical Preservation, Legislation and Education - STR Lecture
St Anne's Soho, London
9th January 2020

Find your Future: BECTU
Westminster Kingsway College. London, WC1X 8RA
7th February 2020