Author: Lori Rubinstein

Posted on by

The 2022 LRLR – The Blue Ridge Ramble

The 2022 Long Reach Long Riders - The Blue Ridge Ramble

The Long Reach Long Riders are happy to announce their 2022 charity motorcycle ride.  The 19th annual ride, “the Blue Ridge Ramble”  begins on June 18 in Charlotte, North Carolina and returns to Charlotte on June 24th. The route meanders through North & South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia before turning north back to Charlotte.  Along the way the riders will encounter some of the most scenic and exciting motorcycle roads in the east. The Tail of the Dragon, the Snake, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Cherohala Skyway are just a few of the roads the riders will experience over the 7-day ride.

Greg Williams, ride marshal for the 2022 ride noted, “The days will be filled with rewarding rides along mountain ridgelines and through sweeping valleys, taking in the best scenery the early summer has to offer in the Appalachian Mountains. Evenings will be spent in historic inns located in history-rich towns tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains.”

The Long Reach Long Riders annual charity motorcycle ride benefits Behind the Scenes and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. What began in 2004 as a one-time event became an annual ride that has raised over $800,000.00 for the two charities.  

For more information on joining the ride please visit www.lrlr.org.

Click here to support a rider today!
Posted on by

Roscolux Supports BTS Through the Pandemic

Roscolux #359 Supports BTS Through the Pandemic

Rosco Laboratories continued their long-time support of the charity with a check presentation at USITT 2022 reflecting sales of Roscolux #359 Medium Violet.

Henry Cowen, Live Entertainment Sales Manager – North America, presented the check on behalf of Rosco, saying, “I am truly honored to able to present this donation to our friends at Behind the Scenes this year. The work you do is so important to the industry we all call family, particularly in the past two years when so many of our colleagues and their families were negatively impacted by the pandemic. I speak for the entire Rosco family when I say Thank You for the work you do. We appreciate you, and we are committed to you.”

Tobin Neis, a BTS Board member, accepted the check on behalf of the charity, and commented, “It’s so gratifying to accept this donation from Rosco who was our very first Pledge-a-Product Partner. We know times have been tough for everyone and the sustained support Rosco has shown means an enormous amount to us and to those we help.”

For more information about joining the Pledge-of-Support Program by naming a product or service to support the charity, click here or email [email protected].

Posted on by

Westview Productions Makes Pledge-a-Service Donation

Westview Productions Makes Pledge-a-Service Donation

On the show floor at USITT, Westview Productions presented a check to Behind the Scenes to honor their Pledge-a-Service commitment to the charity. Westview is an entertainment, energy, and immersive technology solutions firm headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Their unique project process encompasses all aspects of design that integrates with all construction trades to ensure a cohesive and seamless project experience. Westview has global experience in lighting, motion control, audio and A/V systems, media, and architectural systems allowing them to provide comprehensive services as a sole solutions organization.

Upon presentation of the check, Eric Bloom, President, stated, “Westview is honored to be able support Behind the Scenes, and to be able to give back to the community that has given so much to us all.”

Eddie Raymond accepted the check along with other members of the Behind the Scenes Board of Directors. Eddie commented, “We are very grateful to Westview for their contribution, and their understanding that it takes long-term commitment to truly make a difference in caring for our colleagues in need.  We challenge other service companies to step up and become a Pledge-a-Service Partner.”

For more information about joining the Pledge-of-Support Program by naming a product or service to support the charity, click here or email [email protected].

Posted on by

InCord’s Safety Netting Supports Industry Workers

InCord’s Safety Netting Supports Industry Workers

InCord made their 2022 donation to Behind the Scenes on the show floor at USITT reflecting a percentage of profits from sales of their Theatrical Safety Netting Systems. The systems (https://incord.com/theatre-division/) are hand-crafted in the USA by skilled artisans, safety tested to exceed all applicable industry standards, and are custom designed by professional engineers to perfectly fit your orchestra pit and/or protect your stage and house operations according to your technical and aesthetic requirements.

Joe Menhart, InCord’s Theatre Division Sales Manager, commented, “We are delighted to provide this needed support to BTS especially when so many more are still in need due to the ongoing global pandemic that is now stretching over two years. Our hearts go out to all those who benefit from the grants and resources provided by BTS.”

Todd Spencer accepted the check along with other members of the Behind the Scenes Board of Directors. Todd commented, “We are so appreciative of InCord’s donation. Their concern for the safety of industry workers is built in to their product and their commitment to Behind the Scenes. Our Pledge-of-Support Program is the perfect vehicle for InCord and their customers to demonstrate that concern.”

For more information about joining the Pledge-of-Support Program by naming a product or service to support the charity, please visit https://wp.behindthescenescharity.org/pledge-of-support-program/ or email [email protected].

Posted on by

ETC’s iRFR and aRFR Apps – Continuing to Care for the Industry

ETC’s iRFR and aRFR Apps – Continuing to Care for the Industry

ETC presented Behind the Scenes with a check during USITT for $40,316.27
representing the 2020-21 proceeds from sales of the company’s iRFR and aRFR (Radio Focus Remote) applications. Since the launch of the iRFR in 2009, ETC’s mobile app sales have now generated over $440,000 in donations.

The iRFR and aRFR mobile apps enable convenient, touchscreen-based remote control for Eos family consoles and controllers. You can learn more about the apps from the ETC website and download them from the iTunes or Google Play stores. 

Upon presenting the check, David Lincecum, Vice President of Marketing for ETC, stated, “ETC is honored to play a role in Behind the Scenes, but we are just the vehicle. The money we give comes entirely from the buyers of our iRFR and aRFR apps. The real thank you goes to the many Eos family users for their continued participation and support.”

Tracey Cosgrove, accepted the check along with other members of the Behind the Scenes Board of Directors. Tracey commented, “We continue to be astonished by, and extremely grateful for, the popularity of these apps and the generosity of ETC. From providing funding for grants for our colleagues in need to supporting the work of the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative, ETC has been fundamental to our ability to carry out our mission.”

Learn more about joining the Pledge-of-Support Program by naming a product or service to support the charity.

Posted on by

Toolbox Talks One-Sheets

BTS Mental Health Initiative
Introduces Toolbox Talks One-Sheets

The Behind the Scenes Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative announces a key addition to its Toolbox Talks program: One-Sheets on a range of topics designed to delve deeper into common issues currently impacting entertainment industry workers as they navigate fluctuating work situations and frequently changing Covid protocols.

As the industry continues to transition and re-open, industry leadership and supervisors are observing significant anxiety in the workplace and are requesting tools to help their crews better navigate and manage the return to work. One-Sheetsbriefly describe general mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression and substance use, and offer basic information and resources around these prevalent issues within the industry. 

We must continue raising awareness and normalizing the conversation around mental health and emotional wellness in the workplace and these flyers are designed to be posted in break rooms or be handed out with schedules or during toolbox talks. The  goal is to convey the message that psychological safety is as important as physical safety.

The Toolbox Talks program was created to assist with language around mental health and wellness in order to facilitate respect in the workplace. Sample language is provided to incorporate mental health into daily safety briefings, and Toolbox Talks can be tailored to fit specific individual and group needs. 

The Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative, and programs such as Toolbox Talks and One-Sheets, are committed to creating and sustaining psychologically safe workplaces for the entertainment industry. 

Behind the Scenes has collaborated with other concerned organizations and individuals to create the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative. A series of tools and resources has been developed to not only help you but also assist you in helping your colleagues, friends and family. Find links to additional tools and resources and information about the initiative at btshelp.org/mentalhealth.

Posted on by

Stop Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation

BTS Mental Health Initiative
Launches Tools to Fight
Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation

StopBullyingLogo500

Last year the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative conducted a survey that revealed that bullying, harassment and intimidation are a common experience in our industry. Respondents told us, “Emotional abuse is part of the culture,” and “Harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are rampant.”

The Mental Health Steering Committee has launched a campaign (btshelp.org/stopbullying) to help workers and employers alike understand the signs and consequences of this behavior. Our aim is to raise awareness and encourage all who experience or witness bullying, harassment or intimidation to speak up.

The resources provided include a set of posters to raise awareness of words, actions and behaviors that constitute bullying, harassment or intimidation; information to empower individuals to Be Informed, Be Aware, Show Support, and Take Action; and a sample policy and procedures to identify, investigate and resolve instances of bullying, harassment or intimidation and to provide support to those who experience these behaviors.

One survey respondent wrote, “My workplaces are decades behind in helping people with emotional wellness. That starts with the  aggressive behavior, belittling behavior, yelling, throwing objects, etc. that I see on the jobsite constantly. Most folks feel that they have to just have a tough skin and take the abusive behavior in stride. That’s a perfect breeding place for all kinds of mental and emotional illness.”

Together we can help curb this behavior in the workplace. We can improve both psychological and physical safety and encourage a more respectful and supportive workplace. 

Behind the Scenes has collaborated with other concerned organizations and individuals to create the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative. A series of tools and resources has been developed to not only help you but also assist you in helping your colleagues, friends and family. Find links to additional tools and resources and information about the initiative at btshelp.org/mentalhealth.

Posted on by

Celebrate the Seasons with BTS

Celebrate the Seasons with Behind the Scenes

Decorate Your Home for the Holidays and Help Your Colleagues in Need

From Halloween through Christmas and Hannukah, add some unique holiday decorations to your home this year and support your colleagues who are seriously ill or injured as well as the BTS Mental Health and Suicide Prevention initiative. These ornaments have been generously made and donated to Behind the Scenes by Mike and Sue Wood, so every penny goes directly to helping your colleagues in need.

Individual acrylic inserts are now available for the portable mini LED ghostlight so you can celebrate the holidays in style. Choose from the iconic ghostlight, the pumpkin ghostlight for Halloween, the autumnal Cornucopia ghostlight for Thanksgiving, the Hanukkah menorah ghostlight, or the Christmas tree ghostlight. Purchase your first unit with the base and remote control and then stock up on inserts so you can complement the season. It couldn’t be easier to change out the acrylic inserts.

We also have an array of ghostlight and industry-themed ornaments to decorate your tree. Have cutouts of your favorite tools hanging on your tree by choosing from a crescent wrench, shackle, paintbrush or scissors as well as holiday designs. Available in 3” round acrylic disks in red or clear. There’s also a BTS ghostlight and a garlanded Christmas tree with a ghostlight star etched on clear acrylic.

LED night lights are available in multi color or solid blue with your choice of a ghostlight, Christmas tree with ghostlight star, or Star of David.

The holidays are just around the corner so don’t delay and add some holiday cheer to your home today! And while you’re there, check out the BTS Holiday Cards, created by industry designers specially for the charity, available in card packs of 10 and as e-cards.

Click here to order your holiday decorations now!

Posted on by

Spread Cheer with BTS Holiday Cards

Spread Cheer and Help with BTS Holiday Cards

main_holidaycards_2021_1

The 2021 Behind the Scenes Holiday Cards are on sale now at the BTS Boutique. It’s important to let family, friends and colleagues know you are thinking of them and these unique holiday cards say it perfectly. They are also a personal and inexpensive way for a company to keep in touch with its customers and let them know “We are here and you are important to us.”

Sending a BTS holiday card helps spread the word about the charity and lets your recipients know you are supporting industry colleagues who are ill or injured as well as the BTS Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative.

Cards are available in a variety of options: card packs of 10 with a standard greeting, personalized cards with a company logo and custom message, and electronic cards in multiple file formats and an array of price points starting at just $20.

This year’s cards feature an eclectic mix of new designs by Elektra Buhalis, Maureen Freedman, Ola Krazspulska, Robert Mendoza and India Smith. We’re also bringing back one of our all-time favorite designs by Melissa Pfeiffer.

Orders for printed cards will be taken until September 30, 2021 to arrive by late November. Electronic card orders will be taken until December 17th. View and order cards at www.behindthescenescharity.org/holidaycards.

Click here to order your cards

Posted on by

NATEAC Supports Behind the Scenes

NATEAC Support Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes announces that NATEAC, the North American Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference, has made a $10,000 donation to support the work of the charity. NATEAC is a quadrennial conference which had been scheduled to take place in New York City last summer and was turned into a highly successful virtual conference held July 20-22, 2021.

On presenting the check, NATEAC Founder, Bill Sapsis, commented, “All of us at NATEAC are very happy to provide this donation in support of the terrific work the Behind the Scenes Foundation offers through its grants program and mental health initiative.” In 2016 NATEAC donated the proceeds from its conference dinner at Sardi’s to the charity.  In 2021 the pandemic forced NATEAC to cancel the dinner but the conference organizers were determined to continue the support for BTS.

NATEAC’s mission is to promote communication between the architects, engineers, consultants, and manufacturers responsible for designing and building new theaters and renovating existing facilities in North America. It is also their goal to promote a higher level of interaction between these professionals and the end users of their facilities.

Lori Rubinstein, Executive Director of the Behind the Scenes Foundation, gratefully accepted the check, saying “NATEC represents a coming together of individuals from across our industry to share their expertise to create even better performance spaces that benefit those who work in and attend them. That ethos is kin to what Behind the Scenes represents–a coming together of individuals to share their expertise to care for their colleagues who are ill or injured or coping with mental health challenges. NATEAC’s donation is a welcome affirmation of that work at a much-needed time.”