Justin Bennett

Justin serves as the production manager and frequently at the technical director and lighting designer for the department’s production season. He earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts from The University of the Incarnate Word and an MFA in Technical Design and Production from the Yale School of Drama. He is an ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician and Certified Rigger - Theatre.

Outside of UIW, Justin serves as the Engineering Commissioner for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). He also assists in the development of ANSI accredited technical standards for the entertainment industry through ESTA’s Technical Standards Program, serving as Co-Chair of the Electrical Power Working Group and a member of the Photometrics Working Group.

Mr. Bennett’s graduate thesis, Electrical Safety: A Standards Based Approach for the Entertainment Electrician, was recognized by USITT for “Excellence in Engineering Research” and is currently being developed for publication. The Alamo Theatre Arts Council has recognized his design work with Globe awards for “Excellence in Lighting Design.” At Yale, he was selected by his peers to receive the Edward C. Cole Memorial Award. This award is given to the student who best exemplifies the ingenuity, creativity, craftsmanship, and dedication to the art of theater that are the hallmarks of the theater technician.

M.F.A., Technical Design & Production, Yale University - School of Drama

B.A., Theatre Arts, University of the Incarnate Word

Publications

• I contribute to the development and publication of ANSI accredited technical standards for the entertainment industry through ESTA's Technical Standards Program (http://tsp.esta.org).
• ANSI E1.51 – 2018 The selection, installation, and use of single-conductor portable power feeder cable systems for use at 600 volts nominal or less for the distribution of electrical energy in the television, film, live performance and event industries in Canada.
• ANSI E1.16 – 2002 (R2017) Entertainment Technology - Configuration Standard for Metal-Halide Ballast Power Cables
• ANSI E1.58 – 2017 Electrical Safety Standard for Portable Stage and Studio Equipment Used Outdoors
• ANSI E1.24 – 2012 (R2017) Entertainment Technology Dimensional Requirements for Stage Pin Connectors
• ANSI E1.32 – 2012 (R2017) Guide for the Inspection of Entertainment Industry Incandescent Lamp Luminaires
• ANSI E1.53 - 2016 Overhead mounting of luminaires, lighting accessories, and other portable devices: specification and practice
• 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

Presentations

• You've Got to Have Standards! Developing Technical Standards-Based Curriculum with ESTA
  USITT Annual Conference
  Louisville, KY
• Class Struggle: Teaching What's Not in the Curriculum*
  USITT Annual Conference
  St. Louis, MO
• Building Shops: Case Studies on Developing Production Support Shops
  USITT Annual Conference
  St. Louis, MO
• How to Build Your Safety Knowledge
  USITT Annual Conference
  Salt Lake City, UT
• Applying the National Electrical Code in Your Theatre
  USITT Annual Conference
  Salt Lake City, UT
• Excellence in Engineering Technology Research: Graduate Paper Presentation
  USITT Annual Conference
  Salt Lake City, UT

• United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)
  www.usitt.org
• USITT Southwest Regional Section
  www.swusitt.org/
• Event Safety Alliance
  www.eventsafetyalliance.org

I like creating and fixing things, and learning how stuff works. Usually, I do these things for work, but sometimes it's also enjoyable. When I want to turn off my "work brain," I like to watch television... usually scripted drama.

• Presidential Teaching Award (Nominee) – University of the Incarnate Word
• Excellence in Engineering Research for “Electrical Safety” – USITT Engineering Commission
• Edward C. Cole Memorial Award – Yale School of Drama
• Jeff and Pam Rank Scholarship Recipient - Yale School of Drama
• National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Award Nominee - St. Philip’s College
• Design work shown at the first annual “Luminaria: Arts Night in San Antonio” festival
• Alamo Theatre Arts Council – Globe Award – Excellence in Lighting Design – Royal Hunt of the Sun
• Alamo Theatre Arts Council – Globe Award – Excellence in Lighting Design – The Illusion

• ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician #1288
  Entertainment Services & Technology Association
• ETCP Certified Rigger – Theatre #1268
  Entertainment Services & Technology Association
• General Industry Safety and Health – 10 Hour Training Course Completion Card
  Occupational Safety and Health Administration

• Engineering Commissioner
  United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)
• Co-Chair
  Electrical Power Working Group
  Entertainment Services and Technology Association
• Voting Member
  ESTA – Photometrics Working Group
  Entertainment Services and Technology Association
• Senator
  Faculty Senate
  University of the Incarnate Word (UIW)
• Chair
  Governance Committee
  UIW College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
• Member
  Governance Committee
  UIW College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

• THAR 3363 - Lighting Design
• THAR 3390 - Stage Management
• THAR 3194, 3195, & 4196 - Adv. Theatre Arts Practicum
• THAR 2360 - Introduction to Technical Production
• THAR 1191, 2192, & 2193 - Theatre Arts Practicum
• THAR 4399 - Special Topics: Production Management