URTA and Vertigo are “paying it forward” with a new Candidate Award.

URTA is excited announce an expansion of the Candidate Awards program for attendees seeking placement in MFA theatre programs at the annual “URTAs”.

The Candidate Awards provide free registration for The URTAs, including free attendance to all continuing education sessions—a value of up to $135. Currently Candidate Awards are available to registrants in the areas of Sound Design and Arts Leadership.

Starting this year, candidates may choose to make a donation to the Candidate Award fund during the registration process. Those donations will be matched dollar for dollar by the flying effects company Vertigo. This fund will be used to establish new Candidate Awards open to attendees beyond the current disciplines of Sound and Arts Leadership.

“The URTAs serve so many students and have had a huge impact on so many lives over the years. It’s really exciting for us to be able to expand access to more and more candidates,” said URTA Executive Director, Tony Hagopian.

“URTA sends an enormous ‘thank you’ to Vertigo for stepping up and making this happen,” said Christy Hamilton, URTA Managing Director.

More than 1,200 candidates pursuing graduate training in acting, design, directing, stage management, and arts leadership take part in The URTAs each year. The event also includes classes, workshops, and panel discussions on theatre topics of interest to both candidates and recruiters.

Vertigo™ – Formerly known as Hall Associates Flying Effects, Vertigo™ is the only professional flying effects company founded and headed by professional educators. Formed through a strong commitment to education, research, and training in special effects rigging, their growth and success can be attributed largely to a continued dedication to safety, innovation, and collaboration. Vertigo™ is an international member of the entertainment industry – an innovator, a collaborator, a crafter, and provider of safe special flying effects for events around the world. Vertigo’s primary goal is to provide safe, reliable special effects rigging in a calm and collaborative environment.