Mar 25, 2008

Long Reach Long Riders Raise Money to Benefit Behind the Scenes

NEW YORK – The Long Reach Long Riders and The ESTA Foundation have announced the results of their joint raffle to benefit the Behind the Scenes program at the USITT conference in Houston.

A total of $8,364 was raised during the three-day conference. When added to the Challenge Grants provided by Bigger Hammer Productions, Sapsis Rigging and Strong Entertainment Lighting, the total reached $18,364.

The winners and their prizes are:
Lori Baruch – Altman Ghostlight and Barbizon Gift Certificate
Pete Happe – Utah Shakespearean Festival package
Patricia Helsel – D&D Software Co’s LD Assistant 04
Pat Immel – Field Template’s SoftSymbols and Field Templates
Krystal Kennel – Live Design’s Broadway Master Classes
Jon Lagerquist – Nolan Engineering Services’ Structural Master Class
Nathan Lee – Vectorwork’s Spotlight with Renderworks
Michael Messer – Le Maitre’s Radiance Hazer
Mark O’Brien – Sapsis Rigging’s Safety Seminar with Bill Sapsis
Amy Radebaugh – City Theatrical’s Lightwright
Steve Reese – USITT 2009 Conference Registration

The traditional pre-raffle kazoo parade kicked off the festivities on Saturday afternoon and was emceed by Bill Sapsis, one of the founding Long Reach Long Riders. Sapsis invited a series of guests to pull the winning raffle tickets, including USITT President Sylvia Hillyard-Pannell, Rich Wolpert who had just completed a 754-mile bicycle ride in support of Behind the Scenes, and Michelle Kokal, who had just presented a $1,000 check on behalf of the USITT Student Chapter at Penn State University.

All proceeds of the raffle go directly to The ESTA Foundation's Behind the Scenes program, which provides entertainment technology industry members with grants for emergency situations, such as serious illness, injury or death.

Jan 20, 2008

Mt. Vernon High School Short Reach Short Riders Trike for Behind the Scenes

Teenagers! Trikes! Yikes! The Mt. Vernon Senior High School Chapter of USITT will hold its second annual "Short Reach Short Riders" Tricycle Race on Saturday, March 15, 2008.

Inspired by Bill Sapsis and the “Long Reach Long Riders”, thirty-eight students and friends rode for the 2007 race in events ranging from sprints and relays to "The Enduro". The students were able to raise $2000 for The ESTA Foundation’s “Behind the Scenes” charity.

Kim Craigie, of 2007 ride sponsor Vincent Lighting Systems, noted "It wasn't just about the money raised, which is important, but rather they showed future generations how they can make a difference for the better. That's a priceless lesson."

2007 ride sponsors were Apollo Design Technology, Scott Church (Selecon), J.R. Clancy, MVHS Chapter of FFA, Barbara E.R. Lucas (USITT), Reid Neslage (H & H Specialties), Lori Rubinstein and John McGraw, Bill Sapsis, Vincent Lighting Systems, and Rich Wolpert (Union Connector).

For 2008 sponsorship information, please contact Dana Taylor at 812-833-5932 or email at taylordw@msdmv.k12.in.us

Dec 7, 2007
The Long Reach Long Riders announce the route and dates of their 5th annual charity motorcycle ride.

The 2008 ride will begin on May 11th in Las Vegas and continue through Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Moab, Mesa Verde, Kayenta, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon before returning to Las Vegas on May 18th. Loren Schreiber, one of the founding members of the LRLR and organizer of this years' ride, noted, "The desert mountains and canyons will offer a stark contrast to the lush New England scenery we rode through last summer."

The Long Reach Long Riders are a group of theatre technicians/motorcycle enthusiasts who have been holding a charity motorcycle run since 2004. What was intended to be a one-time ride has become a very popular annual event. To date more than 30 riders have participated, raising over $140,000 to benefit two charities - Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the ESTA Foundation's Behind the Scenes program.

With a little more than a month to go, the Long Reach Long Riders have raised over $50,000.00. The goal for this, their 4th annual ride, is to raise $75,000.00 by the time the ride begins on July 29th.The ride benefits two industry charities; The ESTA Foundation's Behind the Scenes program and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.Bill Sapsis, one of the ride organizers observed, "It's great to see all the folks come back year after year and make donations. But what's even better are all the new faces this year."Greg Williams, another organizer noted that "The riders all pay their own way so the donations goes directly to the charities."This year's ride begins in Philadelphia on July 29th and meanders through New England until August 6th. The popular trip diary will be available on the website starting July 28th after the kickoff party. To date there are 17 riders and one chase car. The riders are theatre technicians of one stripe or another and hail from around the country.Photos available upon request.Contact information

Bill Sapsis bill@sapsis-rigging.com
Greg Williams gwilliams@appstate.edu