Author: Emily Drew

Posted on by

BTS Wellness Lounge at LDI 2025

The BTS Wellness Lounge Returns to LDI 2025

See the full schedule

Attendees at this year’s LDI Conference and Tradeshow, happening December 7-9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, will once again find the Behind the Scenes Wellness Lounge. Located at Booth #510 on the show floor, the Wellness Lounge returns this year with an expanded program of presentations, consultations, and trainings focused on mental and physical well-being.

Throughout the day, attendees are invited to stop by for one-on-one conversations with the BTS team or browse resources from the organization’s Mental Health Initiative. From suicide prevention tools to anti bullying and harassment strategies, the initiative has developed a comprehensive library of free materials designed specifically for those working in the industry.

Each morning, the Wellness Lounge opens with Cup of Coffee Yoga, led by lighting designer and educator Deanna Fitzgerald, requires no mats or special clothing, just 15 minutes of gentle breathing and movement. It has quickly become a daily ritual for many who want to center themselves before hitting the busy show floor.

The Wellness Lounge will again offer NARCAN® Overdose Prevention Training, presented by the Las Vegas based organization, There is No Hero In Heroin Foundation. In just 20 minutes, participants learn the basics of harm reduction, how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, and how to administer Narcan®. Each attendee receives a certificate of completion and an Overdose Response kit while supplies last. For an industry where substance use challenges are all too common, this training offers life-saving knowledge.

New for 2025 is Flash Career Coaching, a program of free 30-minute one-on-one sessions with entertainment career coach Mark Heiser. The sessions are designed to help participants navigate career transitions, explore new opportunities, or gain perspective on professional challenges. Space is limited, and advance sign-up is recommended, sign up by emailing careers@btshelp.org in advance of the show. You can also sign up at the Wellness Lounge Booth #510 if slots are still available.  

In addition to daily yoga, NARCAN® Overdose Prevention Training, and career coaching, the Wellness Lounge will host a rotating schedule of short, focused talks by industry leaders. Among the topics are; Career Expansions/Transitions, Fueling Your Body, Movement, Stress, & Mental Health, Staying Grounded in Live Events, Staying Sober at the Bar and Dealing with Substance Misuse in the Workplace, The Biology of Sleep and The Effects of Sleep Deprivation in the Entertainment Industry, and Bystander Intervention in the workplace.

On Sunday, December 7 from 6:30-7:30am LDI is hosting the Rise and Shine 5K to benefit Behind the Scenes. Join your colleagues for a meaningful stride towards positive mental health and substance use support at the annual 5K Rise and Shine Walk/Run. Lace up your running shoes and be part of a community dedicated to making a difference. Run with purpose, run with heart – every step counts as you come together to support a worthy cause. 

BTS and LDI invite all exhibitors and attendees to join our “We’re Shining a Light on Mental Health” campaign to help reduce the stigma and encourage people to speak openly about mental health and substance use issues. The booth staff of exhibitors supporting the campaign will be wearing a “We’re Shining a Light on Mental Health” button and attendees can pick up their own at the Wellness Lounge. Join the campaign by contacting shinealight@btshelp.org. 

The BTS Wellness Lounge runs December 7-9 at Booth #510 on the show floor. For the complete schedule, visit the link above.

Posted on by

Monkey Wrench Pro Joins Pledge-of-Support Program

Monkey Wrench Pro Joins Pledge-of-Support Program

Behind the Scenes is pleased to announce that Monkey Wrench Pro has joined the BTS Pledge-of-Support Program, pledging to contribute a portion of the profits from Batch #2 of their flagship product, The Monkey Wrench, to the charity.

Monkey Wrench Pro is a passionate, community-driven company that designs tools for the entertainment technology and production industries. With a background in the field and a deep understanding of the real-world needs of technicians, the team at Monkey Wrench Pro is committed to producing durable, smartly designed tools that make work safer and more efficient. Learn more about their story here.

The Monkey Wrench is engineered with the working professional in mind. Designed to simplify everyday tasks, it features a ratcheting tri-layered socket head including a 1/2″ square socket, 3/4″ square socket, and 12-point star socket. Integrated slots accommodate various yokes, wingnuts, T-handles, and case latches—making it a highly versatile tool. Learn more or purchase at store.monkeywrenchpro.com, or check them out on YouTube.

When discussing the company’s involvement with Behind the Scenes, Seth Scott, founder of Monkey Wrench Pro, said, “We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support Behind the Scenes. At Monkey Wrench, we support the community that supports us, and what better way to extend our reach than to give to BTS?  We believe in the BTS mission and are honored to be part of the Pledge-of-Support Program.”

Rick Rudolph, Chair of the BTS Foundation, also commented, “We’re proud to welcome a dedicated and innovative company like Monkey Wrench Pro to the Pledge-of-Support Program. Their contribution will help sustain our mission and directly support the entertainment technology workforce.”

Posted on by

The 2025 LRLR – The Salt Lake Sidewinder

The 2025 Long Reach Long Riders - The Salt Lake Sidewinder

LRLR2024blackcirclecropped

The Long Reach Long Riders are trading in Appalachian folklore for wide open skies and jaw-dropping landscapes! After last year’s spooky ride through the hollers of West Virginia, LRLR is cranking up the throttle and heading west for their 22nd annual charity motorcycle ride — The Salt Lake Sidewinder — happening June 14–21, 2025.

This year’s ride promises high adventure through the rugged beauty of the American West, all in support of a great cause: Behind the Scenes, the vital charity that supports entertainment professionals in times of need.

 

Starting just outside Salt Lake City, riders will twist and turn their way through some of the most breathtaking and iconic spots in the country, including:

  • The legendary Oregon Trail
  • Craters of the Moon National Monument
  • Grand Teton National Park
  • The shimmering blue of Bear Lake
  • Flaming Gorge Dam
  • And the wild Dinosaur National Monument

But it’s more than just incredible roads and epic views — it’s a week of camaraderie, storytelling, laughter, and giving back. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or brand new to group rides, LRLR welcomes you with open arms. Each ride day covers an average of 250 miles, and you can join for the full week or hop in for a day or two. No pressure, just pure adventure!

Evenings are for kicking back with new friends, swapping stories at the hotel, and enjoying a rotating menu of meals that are as satisfying as the scenery. And of course, safety comes first: we travel with support vehicles to ensure everyone’s taken care of.

Want in on the action? Visit www.LRLR.org to register or learn more.

Ride with purpose. Ride with heart. Ride with us.

Click here to support a rider today!
Posted on by

ETC Makes Pledge-of-Support Donation to BTS at USITT

ETC Makes Pledge-of-Support Donation to Behind the Scenes at USITT

ETC presented Behind the Scenes with a check for $23,450 at this year’s USITT Conference and Tradeshow representing the recent proceeds from sales of the company’s iRFR and aRFR (Radio Focus Remote) app. Since the launch in 2009, ETC’s mobile app sales have generated over $585,000 in donations to the charity.

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. 

Sarah Danke, ETC’s Vice President of Marketing said, “ETC is honored to support this incredible organization who help to fund medical and mental health care to those who dedicate their lives to our industry. It’s inspiring to see how an idea from one of our employee-owners to donate the proceeds from these apps has grown into a contribution of over half a million dollars. That is truly remarkable. We also want to extend our gratitude to everyone who continues to purchase the apps—you’re helping make this impact possible!”

Tobin Neis accepted the check on behalf of the Behind the Scenes Board of Directors. Tobin commented, “BTS is immensely grateful to the employee owners of ETC for their generosity in donating the proceeds from the iRFR and aRFR apps purchased by ETC control users world-wide. Their donations will help to launch BTS into its 20th year of service continuing support for our colleagues in need through Basic Needs and Counseling Grants and the BTS Mental Health Initiative.”

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

Posted on by

The LRLR Raffle and BTS at USITT 2025

The LRLR Raffle to Support Behind the Scenes at USITT

The Long Reach Long Riders and Behind the Scenes will host their annual fundraising raffle at the USITT Conference March 5-8 in Columbus, OH. The Long Reach Long Riders, who have raised over $1,000,000 for charity in their decades of holding annual motorcycle rides, will be riding June 14-21 through Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado on the “Salt Lake Sidewinder Ride.”

Tickets for the raffle are an affordable $5 each or 5 for $20 and can be purchased at the Behind the Scenes booth #305A (across from ETC) throughout the show. Winning tickets for nine regular prizes and one grand prize will be drawn at 1pm on Saturday, the final day of Stage Expo.

The prizes, provided by our generous donors, are: Grand Prize, Spotlight Annual Subscription from Vectorworks; Ghostlight from Altman Lighting; a $250 cash gift card from Barbizon; Event Safety Summit 2025 Registration from the Event Safety Alliance; Nespresso CitiZ Espresso Machine with Aeroccino Milk Frother from IA Stage; ETCNomad Education Edition with Gadget II from Musson Theatrical; $250 Gift Certificate from Sapsis Rigging; a Full Conference Pass to ESTA’s 2025 Midwest Rigging Intensive from ESTA; USITT 2026 Full Conference Registration from USITT, and a $250 Gift Voucher to Production Advantage Powered by VLS from Vincent Lighting Systems.

The Behind the Scenes Boutique will also be open for business during the show featuring a Buy One, Get One 50% off promotion on all our clothing and holiday cards in celebration of our 20th anniversary year.

The booth will feature the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative which provides tools and resources to support entertainment industry workers and promote mental health and well-being. Brief presentations highlighting Mental Health Tools and Resources, an Intro to Mental Health First Aid, and an Intro to Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Industry will be offered twice daily during show hours on Thursday and Friday. Posters with information on suicide prevention, bullying and harassment, alcohol and substance abuse, and more will be available in booth #305A through the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative.

For more information about the Long Reach Long Riders, visit lrlr.org.

Posted on by

Early Winter Virtual Trainings

Highlighting Early Winter Virtual Trainings

The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative is offering a variety of upcoming virtual trainings to help provide people with the information and skills to identify and assist when their colleagues are struggling with a mental health or substance use issue or are the target of bullying and harassment. BTS seeks to create safer workplaces and decrease the stigma surrounding mental health in the entertainment industry.

Mental Health First Aid

Join the over 1600 entertainment industry professionals who are making a real difference in their workplaces by becoming a certified Mental Health First Aider. MHFA takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations, teaches how to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer to appropriate professional support.

The first Mental Health First Aid virtual classes for 2025 are posted for January 13 and 24 and February 2 at btshelp.org/mhfa. The course is delivered in two parts. The first is a 2-hour self-paced online course that must be completed prior to an interactive 6 hour virtual, live instructor-led session.

The registration fee is $125. IATSE Members and those working under IATSE agreements may be eligible for Training Trust Fund reimbursement upon proof of successful completion of the course. A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available to individuals not eligible for reimbursement.

Private group classes of 10 -25 are available – contact mhfa@btshelp.org for information.

 Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Workplace

Have you ever witnessed a co-worker being bullied or intimated? Would you like to know how to safely intervene? In just 90 minutes you will learn five easily accessible tools for use in any workplace to safely intervene without the worry of retaliation. Entertainment industry scenarios will help you understand how to choose tools to match your comfort level.

The webinar is free but advance registration at btshelp.org/bystander is required in order to receive the zoom login. Upcoming 2025 dates are January 27 at 7pm ET, April 27 at 4pm ET, and July 28 at 7pm ET.

Behind the Scenes is partnering with Right To Be, a social justice organization that specializes in education around bullying and harassment, to present these free interactive webinars. These webinars are sponsored by the IATSE International and are open to all entertainment industry workers.

Dealing with Alcochol and Substance Use Issues in the Workplace: Why and How we Help

Substance misuse has reached epidemic proportions in our society and in our industry. It’s very likely you will encounter someone with this problem in your workplace – it could be anyone: a co-worker, a manager, someone who reports to you.

In this interactive webinar, developed by both industry professionals with lived experience and an addiction specialist, you will learn tips and tools to assist you in responding to this type of situation including how to recognize the signs and symptoms of addiction, how to start a conversation with someone you are concerned about, what if they don’t want to stop, and treatment options and industry resources.

The webinar, on February 10th at 7pm ET, is free but advance registration is required in order to receive the login. Registration will open in early January – visit btshelp.org/workplace to enter your email to be notified when registration opens.

Organizations interested in a private webinar should contact mh@btshelp.org.

Visit btshelp.org/mentalhealth to see all the available tools and resources in our Mental Health Initiative.