In Memoriam: Karen Butler

 | ETCP Certifiable News: Fall 2024 |

 

"Energy can neither be destroyed nor created, it can only change form". 

On June 27th 2024, the universe lost a powerful force of nature.

Karen Butler joined I.A.T.S.E. Local 336 in 1988 and was the shop Steward at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix for nearly two decades. A fierce advocate for safety, Karen became a founding member, subject matter expert (SME) in rigging, and published author within the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP). As a scenic artist, her work and passion was enjoyed by worldwide audiences in theatre, film, television, and multimedia.

Karen is survived by her loving family, sister Candy, brothers Billy, Bobby, and Paul, her two sons, Alex, Charles and husband John.

Travel well to the other side. 

There is no news on a celebration of life yet. 

Shubert Organization Cited for Safety Violations in Death of Stagehand Pete Wright

| ETCP Certifiable News: Summer 2021 |

The Shubert Organization is facing a fine of $45,642 in connection with the death of flyman Pete Wright at the Winter Garden Theatre on November 12 of last year.

According to the New York Times, Wright “fell from the narrow, raised platform alongside the stage around 8:45 a.m. while performing routine maintenance, the police said. Emergency medical services workers found the man lying on the floor of the theatre, which sits between 50th and 51st Streets, and transported him to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.” The paper adds that Wright “fell nearly 50' from a narrow, raised platform while performing routine maintenance in the theatre.”

Wright, who was 54, had a regular job as flyman at the August Wilson Theatre, which is not owned by the Shubert Organization. At the time of his death, The Winter Garden was between shows, the musical Beetlejuice having closed. The Music Man, starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, begins previews there in December.

Deadline.com reports that the violations “are categorized by OSHA as ‘serious,’ though not ‘willful’ or ‘repeat.’” The publication adds, “According to [the] U.S. Department of Labor website, the citations mostly involve the use or misuse of a ladder, including the use of a ladder that may have been coated with a material that might obscure structural defects. The citations also suggest that the ladder was not used for its designed purpose or secured on a stable or level surface. Another citation involves employer training regarding proper use of the ladder.”

Wright is survived by his wife, Marcie, whom he met when both were working as stagehands on a revival of Grease at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, and their two sons. Wright held his ETCP Theatre – Rigging certification since 2016.

https://deadline.com/2021/06/shubert-organization-stagehand-death-federal-regulators-citations-peter-wright-1234768134/

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/02/theater/death-winter-garden-theater-shubert-organization.html

Winter 2021: In Memoriam: Peter Wright

| ETCP Certifiable News: Winter 2021 |

In Memoriam: Peter Wright

Broadway stagehand Peter Wright died in a fall at the Winter Garden Theatre on November 12, 2020. He was 54. Wright was a member of IATSE Local 1 and became an ETCP Theatre Rigger in 2016.

According to The New York Times, Wright “fell from the narrow, raised platform alongside the stage around 8:45 a.m. while performing routine maintenance, the police said. Emergency medical services workers found the man lying on the floor of the theatre, which sits between 50th and 51st Streets, and transported him to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.”

The Winter Garden is currently empty. The musical Beetlejuice, the previous tenant, closed on March 10. The next occupant, a revival of The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, is scheduled to begin previews on December 10, 2021.

Wright’s main job was as a flyman at the August Wilson Theatre, currently the home of the musical Mean Girls. The August Wilson is part of the Jujamcyn Theatre chain. The company said in a statement, “We are all devastated by the news and mourn this immense loss alongside Pete’s family, his work family, and his union family. Since all of our marquees have been dimmed during the shutdown, we will illuminate the marquee at the August Wilson Theatre this weekend to remember and honor Pete, who brought such light into that theatre year after year.”

A spokesperson for the Shubert Organization, owner of the Winter Garden, said in a statement, “We mourn the loss of our valued colleague. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family during this difficult time.”

Dylan Foley, a Broadway stagehand, posted on Facebook, “Pete was a force of nature, often doing the work of three men when he ran load-ins and load-outs. He had a dry wit, an unstoppable work ethic, and a trademarked grin. If you asked for something from Pete, his line was, “For you, the grid’s the limit.” He was completely fearless in how he lived his life as a stagehand.”

According to Deadline.com, “The New York Police Department and OSHA launched investigations, though the NYPD did not suspect any criminality.”

Wright is survived by his wife, Marcie, whom he met when both were working as stagehands on a revival of Grease at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, and their two sons. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist Wright’s family at this difficult time: https://tinyurl.com/y247jnwy.