AWARD WINNERS FOR 2002
Presented at Rendezvous 2002 in Vancouver BC

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Professional Achievement Award

The Dieter Penzhorn Memorial Award - 2002

The 2002 Dieter-Penzhorn award for extraordinary service to CITT is awarded to Howard VanSchaick.

Any organization goes through peaks and slumps. Howard has twice led CITT out of a slump. Howard's first opportunity came seven years ago when he was elected Chairman of the Alberta Section. The Alberta Section, long active within USITT and CITT needed revitalisation. Howard stepped in and re-wrote the By-laws of the section to make it more effective. He also organized the first of Alberta's Workshop weekends at the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts. An intense weekend of workshops, this event spread interest in the CITT throughout southern Alberta and had a significant impact on National Membership.

Through his work with the Alberta Section Howard came into frequent contact with the National organization and discovered that it too was in need of a rebirth. Howard joined the National Board and quickly was elected President. As in Alberta, one of Howard's first tasks was to clarify the By-Laws and restructure the Board to make it more accountable. Howard also orchestrated an extremely successful National conference in Edmonton where he introduced the first CITT awards, creating an opportunity for us to honour our peers.

In the second year of his presidency Howard was faced with the task of restructuring the National Office, a task he undertook with his usual flair.

Howard has given many years of service and leadership to the Institute, we salute and recognize his dedication, guidance and friendship with the Dieter-Penzhorn award!

Professional Achievement Award - 2002

Bruce McMullen

Awarded to an individual, in recognition of longstanding career achievement in a technical or related discipline within the Canadian live performance industry.

The Professional Achievement Award 2002 was awarded to Bruce McMullen.

Education Achievement Award - 2002

Mr. Sandy Black

Awarded to an individual, in recognition of longstanding career achievement as an educator. This individual engages in the teaching of a technical or related discipline, while preparing students for work within the Canadian live performance industry.

The Education Achievement Award 2002 was awarded to Mr. Sandy Black

CITT Supplier (Corporate) Achievement Award - 2002

Excerpt from the text announcing the award to GALA (Paco Corp) which was read at the awards ceremony:

"GALA has provided the world of live performance many surprising and useful innovations over the years.

The Spiralift, better known as the Slinky, has solved countless problems related to lifting pits and stage platforms in restricted height situations with great precision and, it goes without saying, in a technically sophisticated yet marvelously simple method.

GALA has also innovated in the field of overhead machinery with the VertiClimb and VertiLift systems.

This year's nomination, however, is for the Gala Venue system that allows for the simple yet complete reconfiguration of a performance venue. This sophisticated system makes use of the years of R&D work that GALA engage in and proposes an elegant solution to the conundrum of the multi-purpose facility.

This firm has shown steady and continuous commitment to research and development and a dedication to the advancement of the technology used in the live performance industry.

From their first prototype system developed for the Theatre Denise Pelletier in Montreal, they have installed systems world-wide and continue to expand their influence from their headquarters in St-Hubert, Canada.

This Canadian firm has been a long time supporter of CITT and is surely deserving of our recognition."

Mr. Philip Laforest, president of GALA, had these words which were read at the awards ceremony:
"As members of this industry we appreciate and understand the important role that CITT plays. We are therefore proud to accept the CITT supplier achievement award.
Since its beginning in the late 1970's, Gala has always aimed to differentiate itself by providing innovation to our industry. The reputation we have built over the years has enabled us to be selected as supplier of electro-mechanical equipment in several prestigious locations in North America, in Europe and Asia. This displays our unrelenting commitment to the research and development as well as our dedication to the advancement of new technologies that can be utilized in this industry.
We commend the CITT for their commitment and for the recognition and support that they have brought to the Canadian Cultural Industries community. "

The Honorary Membership Award - 2002

Helen Willard and Normand Bouchard accepting the Honorary Membership Award during Rendezvous 2002

Excerpt from the text announcing the award to USITT which was read at the awards ceremony:

"This award is presented to an individual and/or organisation not actively involved in the technical disciplines of the Canadian live performance industry, but who by virtue of their position has contributed significantly to the development of technical disciplines within Canada. This contribution can be seen through the recipient's decision-making, influence, and philosophy within the community or by showing themselves to be a longstanding friend of the Institute.

Much of CITT's current success is due to the steadfast support of USITT in the early days of CITT's creation. Still today, all of CITT's Sections are also sections of USITT and continue to receive support as such.

USITT made available the strength of its impressive organisation to assist CITT in its growth and development until the day, very recently, when the younger brother was strong enough to run on his own. USITT's support of CITT has been both structural but also monetary and this assistance came in the most difficult times for CITT. It was the kind of help you can only expect from family.

USITT has been a cornerstone in the growth and development of CITT. Without the assistance of USITT, our organisation could have vanished many times over the years.

We are now a stronger organisation thanks to their unquestioning support. For this, USITT deserves our deepest gratitude and the honour of joining us as lifetime Honorary Members. With this Award, we wish to confirm to USITT our friendship and thanks."

The award was accepted by Helen Willard and Normand Bouchard on behalf of USITT.

Award of Technical Merit - 2002

Ron Morrisette presenting the Award of Technical Merit to Gilles St.-Croix, Artistic Director for the Cheval Theatre

Excerpt from the text announcing the award to Cheval Théâtre which was read at the awards ceremony:

This award is presented to a production company or theatre, or a combination thereof, for outstanding achievement in the use of theatre technology on a specific project or production.

The nominators of the award addressed the selection committee with the following comments:

"Cheval Theatre exploded onto the scene in a flurry of hooves kicking up sawdust mixed with just enough pixie dust to make the performance truly magical. This company undertook to create a mystical experience for the audience while using that most magical of creature - the horse - as their central character.

This audacious performance mixing horse with man in a poetic environment housed under a custom designed and fabricated big top has marveled audience throughout North America.

The technical innovations required to make such an endeavor function were numerous.

They involved finding the right mix of sawdust, dirt and rubber pellets for the horses to perform in that would not cause uncontrollable dust in the big top. A specially designed big top to accommodate entrances designed for horses and their riders along with an adjacent touring stable. Lighting positions that had to be tested over and over again to make sure that the horses would accept the changing colours and shadows. Costumes were designed and created to accommodate the riders and their horses.

The most remarkable of all was to move all of this rig from city to city in locations where conditions for the horses were ideal.

Cheval Theatre merits the recognition of CITT for this daring undertaking."