Memorial Service Planned for Don Childs at USITT

A memorial service for Don Childs, the lighting and scenic designer and educator, will be held at the USITT Conference and Stage Expo, in Long Beach, California later this month. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 31, from 2:00-3:30pm, Room 203 C, at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Childs, who passed away in December, was co-founder, with his wife, Jane, of the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas, an eight-week summer intensive program that uses the backdrop of state-of-the-art live entertainment production in Las Vegas to train the next generation of working professionals. At the time of his death, he was also teaching at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

In a statement, the family said, "Help us celebrate a life of art, education, and a tireless commitment to the possibilities of live performance. Everyone has a Don Childs story and we would love for you to share yours with us." The event will feature an open mic and a cash bar.