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In this issue:
CITT/ICTS News:
Call for Nominations: Board of Directors
Nominations are open: CITT/ICTS Awards
CITT/ICTS Education Commission
Recording now available: Member Town Hall
EXPO-SCÈNE 2026
Call for Sessions: Rendez-vous 2026
OFFSTAGE Podcast feat. Jacquie Lazar
Tax Season: Resources
In Memoriam: Paul Court
Regional Section News
Welcome New Members!
Industry News
Resources
CareerHub
Members Area
Thanks to our Contributing Members!
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📣 Join our Board!
Call for Nominations: 2026 National Board of Directors
The Nominations Committee is seeking nominations from the membership for the election of four (4) board directors for a 2-year term starting in August 2026.
The following incumbent board directors have accepted to seek reelection:
- Debbie Richardson (Nova Scotia) – currently serving as Director-at-Large
- Peter (Spike) Lyne (Ontario) – currently serving as Director-at-Large
The following directors are continuing their term on the Board of Directors:
- Russell Martin (Ontario) – President
- Joshua C McIntosh (Alberta) – President Elect
- Andrea Lundy (Québec) – Secretary
- Brianne Gwartz (Ontario) – Treasurer
- Craig Langlois (Saskatchewan) – Director-at-Large
- Crystal Lee (Ontario) – Director-at-Large
Take the leap! Your voice can spark meaningful change. Board members play a vital role in governance, advocacy, and supporting national initiatives that uplift our sector.
Previous board experience is not a pre-requisite. Click the link below to learn more about candidate qualifications, and to submit a nomination.
Deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, February 20, 2026, 11:59 PM ET.
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🏆 Nominations are now open
Members, prepare to nominate your peers!
Many of you have shared with us how meaningful these awards are to our community, and how important it is to recognize individuals and teams whose contributions often happen behind the scenes.
Friends, the time has come to give recognition to outstanding individuals in our sector. Whether it's a colleague, mentor, or team, nominate those whose work has made a lasting impact!
To make things easier, we have simplified the nomination process and reduced the required number of nominators from two to one. Additionally, nominees can be CITT/ICTS members or non-members.
The 2026 CITT/ICTS Awards are:
• CITT/ICTS Achievement in Education Award
• CITT/ICTS Technical Innovation and Achievement Award
• CITT/ICTS Lifetime Achievement Award
• CITT/ICTS Emerging Technical Talent Award
“It feels absolutely wonderful to be recognized by your peers, especially so early on in a career. Thank you again to CITT/ICTS for encouraging these awards.”
– Brendan Briceland, 2025 Emerging Technical Talent Award recipient
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Next Meeting:
📆 Tuesday, February 17, 2026 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM ET - On Zoom
Are welcome: Educational institutions representatives.
Open to: Members and non-members.
The Commission seeks to define and uphold national standards while promoting a shared vision for training and professional development.
Educational institution representatives who wish to contribute to this commission are welcome. Please note that this meeting will not be recorded. Registration is required.
The Educational Commission is led by:
Andrea Lundy, Director of the Production Design and Technical Arts Program at the National Theatre School of Canada and Secretary of the CITT/ICTS Board of Directors.
Co-Chairs:
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Gavin Fearon, Technical Director, BrockU - Department of Dramatic Arts, Ste. Catharines, ON
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Torin Buzek, Instructor, Technical Theatre (Scenic Construction) - Fountain School of Performing Arts, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
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Travis Hatt, Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator, Theatre Production - MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB
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Recording is now available in the Members Area!
Topic: Building Our Digital Community (Callboard 2.0)
Held on January 26 via Zoom | Presented by Crystal Lee and the Communications & Advocacy Committee.
This Member Town Hall was held to introduce CITT/ICTS's new digital community platform, and to present how it will support collaboration, education, knowledge sharing, and engagement among our members.
If you were unable to attend, we recommend watching the recording to learn about upcoming developments, how the new initiative fits into the organization's broader goals, and the rollout process leading up to the official launch.
Questions and feedback:
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this topic, please submit them using our dedicated contact form → Digital Community Contact Form
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EXPO-SCÈNE 2026
Setting the stage for another landmark edition.
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Preparations for EXPO-SCÈNE 2026 are well underway! Building on the success of the 2025 edition, the team is working hard to provide an even more valuable experience for all participants by putting on an ambitious and inspiring event.
Attendees can expect many first-time exhibitors, expanded training opportunities, and new partnerships that will lead to additional activities and experiences alongside the main trade show. We hope to see you there!
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Booth Reservation
🚨 Only a few spots left. Join us and be part of an exceptional lineup of industry leaders.
EXPO-SCÈNE is more than just a trade show, it’s an unmatched opportunity to gain exposure, generate leads, and grow your presence in the Canadian entertainment technology sector.
→ Exhibitor Information
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Visitor Registration
✨ Don't wait! Register online now for your FREE visitor badge.
Once again, a badge gives visitors access to both days of the show, the TEC Talk Studios and the Demo Rooms.
Separate registration fees apply to pre-show training and other activities.
→ Visitor Registration
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Pre-show Training
WATCHOUT 7 (Dataton Academy)
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Presented by Show Sage LLC
2-Day course | April 14 - 15
$225.00 +tx | CITT/ICTS members get 20% off.
⇢ Details & Registration
Fog & Hazer: Maintenance and Performance Training
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Presented by Hazebase
3-hour training | April 14
$100.00 +tx | CITT/ICTS members get 15% off.
⇢ Details & Registration
grandMA3 with ACT Academy
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
- 2-Day course: grandMA3 Beginner | April 13th + 14th | $USD 500
- 1-Day course: grandMA3 as a Second Language | April 15th | $USD 250
- 90-min class: Getting to know grandMA3 | April 16th | FREE
CITT/ICTS members get 20% off.
⇢ Details & Registration
Ion Xe Console Training with ETC
Registration opens soon!
1-Day course: April 14th | Level 1 - Beginner
1-Day course: April 15th | Level 2 - Enhanced
Visit this page to stay informed!
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Sponsorship & Advertising
Give your company maximum visibility before, during, and after the show
Attract the attention of over 1,800 attendees from across Canada and beyond. Explore our opportunities to find the one that best meets your needs.
→ View Opportunities
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Travel & Accommodation
⏱️ Book early!
HOTELS: Enjoy preferred rates at hotels near the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
AIR TRAVEL: Enjoy discounts on plane tickets with Air Canada, WestJet and Porter.
→ Hotels & Discount codes
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Confirmed Exhibitors
Our growing list features over 75 exhibitors, nine of whom are exhibiting for the first time.
→ View Exhibitor List
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Demo Rooms & TEC Talks
The next edition will see the return of several Demo Rooms and the TEC Talks Studios. Details to come - Stay tuned!
| | Don't miss any updates! Follow EXPO-SCÈNE on: | | |
Preparations for the conference are progressing!
📣 Take note: Slight schedule change
The conference dates are have been modified to August 12 to 14 (formerly 15).
- Pre-conference Workshops and Training: August 10 and 11
- Sessions, Tours, Social Activities, AGM: August 12 to 14
- Trade Show: August 13
📣 Venue is now confirmed!
We are pleased to announce that the conference will be hosted at uOttawa’s Faculty of Arts, Department of Theatre, LabO building, located at 10 Daly Street, Ottawa. The venue includes the LabO performance space and rehearsal studios, and is directly connected to Arts Court, where we may also use select additional spaces to support conference activities.
We are delighted to welcome attendees to this beautiful venue, which offers an inspiring setting for the conference!
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Travel & Accommodation
Plan your trip and book your accommodation as soon as possible!
Official conference hotels:
DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Ottawa
Rate: $179/night
Special rate deadline: July 09, 2026
Les Suites Hôtel Ottawa
Modern One Bedroom Suites: $239/night
Modern Executive One Bedroom Suites: $269/night
Modern Two Bedroom Suites: $339/night
Special rate deadline: June 30, 2026
Air Travel Discounts
Enjoy 5% to 10% discounts on tickets with Air Canada, WestJet and Porter with our conference promo codes.
Rail Transport Discounts
Enjoy 10% discount on tickets with VIA Rail with our conference promo code.
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✨ Ongoing: Call for Sessions
Contribute to knowledge sharing and skills development at Rendez-vous!
We are calling on experts, innovators, and thought leaders from across the live entertainment industry to submit proposals for engaging and impactful sessions that will inspire, educate, and challenge attendees.
Rendez-vous is an exceptional opportunity for the industry to engage in conversations that drive innovation and creativity and to participate in high-quality training that helps workers advance in their careers.
We welcome proposals from members and non-members.
| | Don't miss any updates! Follow Rendez-vous on: | | |
Watch Now: Skene's Offstage podcast
“Nerding out at EXPO-SCÈNE”
Featuring Jacquie Lazar, CITT/ICTS' Executive Director.
The episode centers on EXPO-SCÈNE, Canada’s largest trade show for theatre and live event technology. With hands-on access to new tools and equipment, TEC Talks, training sessions, and product launches, EXPO-SCÈNE brings the industry together to learn, connect, and discover the future of the field.
You will also learn about the history of CITT/ICTS and the importance of community in a highly specialized industry. Jacquie discusses how technicians, designers, and production professionals support one another through shared knowledge, training, and advocacy. She reflects on her own journey from lighting technician to arts leadership and discusses what it takes to build a sustainable career in live performance.
We would like to thank Skene's editor, Josafath Reynoso, for this wonderful opportunity. We're thrilled and thankful to have Skene as a new media partner of CITT/ICTS. Learn more about Skene here.
📺 WATCH EPISODE HERE
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💸 Tax season: Deadlines and resources
Tax season will be here before we know it, so now is a great time to get a head start. To help, we've compiled some important filing dates below.
Key Filing Dates for 2025 Taxes:
• March 2, 2026: Last day to contribute to an RRSP, PRPP, or SPP
• April 30, 2026: Personal tax filing deadline
• June 15, 2026: Filing deadline if you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed
CITT/ICTS Members:
John Cabanela, a QuickBooks Online Pro Advisor, former freelance technician, and the mastermind behind the popular "Finance for Freelancers" workshop at CONNECT, has kindly offered to share a valuable set of tax resources for freelancers:
(Member login required) John Cabanela - Workshop Resources: Tax Filing for Freelancers
We hope these tools make tax season less stressful and help you plan with confidence. A big thank you to John for sharing his expertise!
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💐 In Memoriam - Paul Court
We were saddened to hear about the passing of longtime friend, collaborator, and supporter of CITT/ICTS, Paul Court.
Paul was a driving force in the development of our organization and was awarded the 2020 Dieter Penzhorn Memorial Award, which is presented to an individual who has provided significant and sustained service to the Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology/Institut canadien des technologies scénographiques, while playing an active role in the development of the greater Canadian cultural community.
We invite you to take a few moments to read CITT/ICTS' History, which was written by Paul in August 2009.
We are immensely grateful for his contributions, and he will be deeply missed.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and students.
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CQICTS 2026 Annual General Meeting
Date: Monday February 16, 2026
In person at Studio Artefact - 7900 Blaise-Pascal Ave., Montreal, QC H1E 2X8
OR
Online via Zoom (the registration link can be found on the RSVP page)
Schedule for the evening:
- 6:30 p.m. - Tour of Studio Artefact facilities
- 8 p.m. - Start of the AGM
All participants are kindly requested to confirm their attendance.
⇒ Please RSVP HERE
Call for Nominations: 2026 CQICTS Board of Directors
Deadline to submit: February 13, 2026
There are 3 director positions up for election. To submit your nomination, please fill in the nomination form (in French only) and send via email. Thank you!
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Alberta Section + Backstage Access 2026
March 3 - 4, 2026 | Edmonton, AB
ETC Training: Only a few spots left!
Sunday, March 1, 2026: ETC Level 4: Proficient
Monday, March 2, 2026: ETC Advanced Effects + Busking
⇢ Details & Registration
20% discounts available for members of CITT/ICTS and Theatre Alberta.
Backstage Access 2026: Registration is now open!
Visit the Backstage Access website to learn more about the programming and to register.
Technology Expo: View vendor Information page
Stay updated on the section news and updates:
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CONNECT 2026 Recap
On January 10th we hosted CONNECT 2026 at York University. We had about 70 attendees come out for sessions and our annual job fair. It was a great way to start off the year and line people up for future work!
Thank you to York University and the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design for hosting us.
Stay updated on the section news and updates:
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Sound Mixing Workshops Recap
On January 17th, the E.A. Rawlinson Centre hosted 2 sound mixing workshops in conjunction with CITT Prairie Section.
Zach Greenhorn came from Saskatoon to host the workshops. We had a total of 14 participants for each session.
The day started with a basic workshop that went through the basic equipment and how to put it all together to get sound out of the Speakers. He also touched on the basics of how a microphone works, what a DI box is, and basic signal flow of a sound board.
The afternoon started the Intermediate workshop, where Zach went into more in depth mixing concepts as well as how to EQ different signals. He then went on to having participants actually using the sound board and seeing how the different signal processing works.
Stay updated on the section news and updates:
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CONTRIBUTING
TAIT, Lititz, PA, USA
FlyPatt, Montréal, QC
GTR Direct, North York, ON
ORGANIZATIONAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Myer Horowitz Theatre - Horowitz Events Centre, Edmonton, AB
INDIVIDUAL
Marshall Kidd, Toronto, ON
Eiden French, Winnipeg, MB
STUDENT
Caitlin Kennedy, Hamilton, ON
Jacey Paiement, Mascouche, QC
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OISTAT News
By Wan-Jung Wei, OISTAT Executive Director
As we enter 2026, we take a moment to reflect on an extraordinary 2025 for OISTAT. World Stage Design 2025 in Sharjah, UAE brought together theatre practitioners and students from around the world, reaffirming the power of performance design, theatre architecture, and theatre technology to cross borders and connect cultures.
Alongside WSD, the OISTAT World Congress 2025 offered an essential space for reflection and collective direction-setting. We also had the opportunity to take a first look at the proposals for World Stage Design 2029, to welcome our new OISTAT Centres, ScenoLab Australia and the Irish Society of Performance Designers (ISPD), and to elect the new OISTAT President and Executive Committee.
Looking ahead, 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of OISTAT Headquarters being based in Taiwan. As we move forward, OISTAT remains committed to continuing our tradition of hosting a wide range of events and Commission meetings, both online and in person, to support professional exchange and strengthen connections across our network.
⇢ Read the full message
⇢ View the 2026 OISTAT Meeting Schedule
⇢ CITT/ICTS: Canadien centre of OISTAT
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World Stage Design 2029 is heading to Berlin, Germany!
The 7th edition of World Stage Design 2029 will take place in Berlin in May/June in close synergy with SHOWTECH, hosted by the OISTAT German Centre Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft - DTHG .
Berlin, with its exceptional density of theatres and its role as a cultural melting pot, offers the ideal stage for shaping a diverse, open, and multifaceted World Stage Design. — Viktoria Eber, Managing Director of DTHG
This is the first time we are bringing World Stage Design to continental Europe. DTHG is an outstanding partner with the experience and vision to realize this milestone for WSD. — Wanjung WEI, Executive Director of OISTAT
Together with DTHG, OISTAT looks forward to shaping a diverse and open WSD 2029 and welcoming the global theatre community to Berlin.
⇢ Read the press release
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Important Update
Creative Green Tools Canada to be retired February 25, 2026
Since 2022, the Center for Sustainable Practice in the Arts (CSPA) has been proud to host the Creative Green Tools Canada (CGTC) platform. Developed in adaptation of Julie’s Bicycle’s UK model, Creative Green Tools Canada include free, bilingual carbon calculation and reporting tools tailored to Canadian energy systems and artistic practices.
In that time, the CSPA has seen incredible engagement from the Canadian arts and culture sector, with organizations across the country taking measurable steps toward a lower-carbon future.
On January 26, 2026, the CSPA announced a strategic transition for the digital tools to ensure the long-term security of our community’s data and the sustainability of their mission: They are transitioning their community to the Global Julie’s Bicycle (JB) Creative Climate Tools.
While these tools use international emission factors rather than Canadian-specific data, they remain a powerful resource for:
- Establishing a baseline for carbon footprints.
- Informing management decisions.
- Tracking year-over-year progress and behavioral change.
Full details, and actions to take for current users of the CGTC platform (from now up until February 25, 2026), can be viewed in the full announcement at the link below.
⇢ Read the full announcement
Report on Creative Green Tools Activities Supporting Canadian Arts Organizations 2024/2025
The Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts has released its 2024–2025 Report on Creative Green Tools Canada, documenting the only national carbon tracking infrastructure available to Canada’s arts and culture sector.
⇢ View the Report
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USITT 2026 Annual Conference
Attending USITT26? Registration is open!
✨ Reminder: CITT/ICTS Members benefit from the USITT Member Price.
Again this year USITT is happy to offer you access to the special USITT Member price on all tiers of the pricing structure: Early / General / Late. Register before March 4 for the best rate!
Instructions and promo code → Log in to My Membership Benefits
Regular Rate (Dec. 9 - Mar. 3)
MEMBER: FULL-CONFERENCE $610
NON-MEMBER: FULL-CONFERENCE $859
Late Rate (Mar. 4 & later)
MEMBER: FULL-CONFERENCE $701.50
NON-MEMBER: $988
→ Visit the USITT2026 Conference Website
→ View USITT26 Stage Expo Information
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PACTcon 2026 Registration is now open
Shifting Grounds | April 22 - 25, 2026 | Whitehorse, Yukon
PACTcon 2026 brings theatre leaders together for the first time in conference history in the Yukon for an exciting opportunity to convene for an invigorating renewal amongst colleagues.
Pay What you Can Afford Early Bird Registration, with prices options as low as $195 for full access to the gathering, is available until March 16 or while spots lasts.
⇢ Details & Registration
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Submit press releases, resources, and information about upcoming events for consideration in the Monthly Newsletter and the Industry News section of our website.
Newsletter deadline: please submit your news before the 25th of the month.
⇢ Send here
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ESTA Standards Watch
The latest issue is now available.
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ONLINE READS
from our Media Partners
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Protocol Winter 2026 Issue
This issue marks an important milestone as ESTA celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP). The cover story explores ETCP’s early years, as well as its role across venues, unions, higher education, companies of all sizes, and the power of individual certification in shaping safer workplaces.
Don't miss CITT/ICTS's News Column, on page 80! Dive in to learn more about our upcoming EXPO-SCÈNE and Rendez-vous events, and to read about the organization's background, mission, and community.
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Audiovisual Engineering Technologist
Branch Audiovisual
Permanent, Full-time
Design
Mississauga, Ontario
January 29, 2026
Chargé·e d’administration (remplacement de congé maternité du 9 mars 2026 à janvier 2027)
Festival TransAmériques
temporaire, à temps plein
Gestion
Montréal, Québec
30 janvier 2026
Responsable du quartier général
Festival TransAmériques
temporaire, à temps plein
Production
Montréal, Québec
1 février 2026
Responsable de l’accueil
Festival TransAmériques
temporaire, à temps plein
Production
Montréal, Québec
1 février 2026
Production Coordinator
Municipality of Meaford
Permanent, Full-time
Production
Meaford, Ontario
February 4, 2026
Assistant·e à l’accueil
Festival TransAmériques
temporaire, à temps plein
Production
Montréal, Québec
8 février 2026
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Technical Director
Blyth Festival
Seasonal, Full-time
Production
Blyth, Ontario
February 8, 2026
Adjoint·e aux communications
Festival TransAmériques
temporaire, à temps plein
Autre
Montréal, Québec
12 février 2026
Agent de billetterie
Festival TransAmériques
temporaire, à temps plein
Autre
Montréal, Québec
13 février 2026
Technical Director
Neptune Theatre
Permanent, Full-time
Production
Halifax, Nova Scotia
February 28, 2026
Scenic Carpenter
Upper Canada Playhouse
Seasonal, Full-time
Production
Morrisburg, Ontario
March 6, 2026
| | Professional Development Postings | | |
Performing Arts Safety Awareness, Feb 3
Actsafe Safety Association
Virtual, British Columbia
February 3, 2026
Naloxone | Feb 5 | FREE
Actsafe Safety Association
Burnaby, British Columbia
February 5, 2026
Workplace Inspections | Feb 11 | FREE
Actsafe Safety Association
Virtual, British Columbia
February 11, 2026
Performing Arts Safety for Supervisors | Feb 12 | FREE
Actsafe Safety Association
Virtual, British Columbia
February 12, 2026
Joint Health and Safety Committee Fundamentals | Feb 18
19 | FREE - Actsafe Safety Association
Virtual, British Columbia
February 18, 2026
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JOIN OR RENEW
It’s About Networking, Best Practices and Sharing of Knowledge!
CITT/ICTS members represent multiple fields of interest and expertise in all areas of production for the live entertainment industry. Join CITT/ICTS or renew your membership today to strengthen the voice of the Canadian live performance community.
Become a Member | Log in to your Member Profile
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