My name is Leah Marcil and I'm a technical theatre student studying at the New College of Florida. I'm fundraising to help me, and my peers, attend the USITT technical theatre conference. USITT is the leading provider of education, training, and advancement for the theatre and live entertainment industry, with top-of-the-line immersive training from seasoned industry pros.

Our Professor Tim O'Donnell has been able to share information from past conferences with us, but this year it would be incredible if we were able to have the hands-on experience USITT has to offer along with him. As aspiring theatre professionals, attending this conference would be an amazing opportunity to learn more about careers in theatre and connect with experts. This trip would be especially helpful for my fellow seniors who are graduating this semester and trying to find resources to transition into our careers. Personally, I'm an aspiring lighting designer and USITT will provide me endless opportunities to converse with employers, graduate programs, and experiment with new technologies which will allow me to build a foundation for entering the professional world after graduation.

Here are some specifics as to how USITT could help my peers individually in their future careers:

Hi! I’m Sadie, and I’m a study abroad student from Canada. I came to NCF to learn new things and gain amazing experiences, and this is one experience I’m really excited about. I really enjoy scenic design, and I’m hoping to learn more about the scenic designing process from the experts at USITT. It’ll also be a great place for me to find new resources and connections from professionals in the theatre industry.

My name is Morgan Cook and I am a 2nd year Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies student at New College of Florida from Deal, England. In my future, I see teaching and representing theatre as a fundamental aspect that will guide my career. Technical theatre is therefore a field in which I am becoming more and more interested; I believe that to transfer theatrical knowledge to students it is essential to understand ALL aspects of it. It is for these reasons that travelling to USITT would be an incredibly enriching experience for me. The cognition would go unmatched! Thank you, any donations would make us forever grateful.

Hi, my name is Makayla Hunter and I am a 4th year Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies AOC at New College of Florida! Although I am primarily an actor, I am extremely interested in attending USITT and hoping to make connections with cosmetology programs as that is something I am passionate about! In the future, whether I end up on or off stage, USITT is a wonderful opportunity to help build my career after college!

Hi! My name is Madi, and I’m a graduating Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies student at New College of Florida. As I prepare to enter full-time employment after May, I’m really excited about the opportunity to attend USITT because it feels like a direct bridge between my academic experience and the professional industry. I’m very excited about the opportunity to hear guest speaker Erin Joy Swank, whose work has already influenced my academic journey, I actually reference a quote from a book she helped write in my thesis. Being able to learn directly from professionals whose work I’ve studied, while also building in-person connections with companies and practitioners, would be incredibly valuable as I begin my career. I know the experience, knowledge, and relationships I would gain from USITT would have a lasting impact on my transition into the field.

Hi, my name is Lexi Galloway and I am a 3rd year Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies student at New College of Florida. Theatre is something that holds a huge importance in my life and even though I plan to pursue a career on the stage, I still want to learn everything I can about the technical side. While I already have some experience behind the scenes with directing, lighting, and being a stagehand, I am always eager to learn more. This is why getting to attend the US Institute of Technical Theatre Conference would be such a monumental opportunity for me and my friends. Please support us in any way you can; even a little donation means a lot! Thank you!

The conference is taking place in Long Beach, California so our fundraising will go towards the cost of flights, food, and lodging. My peers and I will be extremely grateful for any financial assistance you can offer as this opportunity will greatly impact our future successes. Thank you!