Behind the Scenes announces the second annual Holiday Card Student Design Contest and seeks prize donations for the 8th annual Long Reach Long Rider/Behind the Scenes raffle at the USITT Conference & Stage Expo in Charlotte, NC in March.

Behind the Scenes is seeking raffle prizes for its ever-popular raffle at USITT, co-sponsored by the Long Reach Long Riders. Their co-founder, Bill Sapsis, will conduct the raffle on the last day of the USITT Stage Expo. The event always draws a large crowd and considerable press coverage, so donating a prize is an excellent way to promote your company. Donors will also be featured in press releases, articles, and on the website. To donate a product, service, or gift certificate, please send an email before February 5, 2011 to raffle@estafoundation.org with the name of the item, the item’s market value and the name of the company making the donation. Ten traditional and one grand prize will be chosen from all submitted prizes to be offered at the raffle.

Please help us spread the word to schools in your area about the Behind the Scenes Holiday Card Student Design Contest. Students who participate in the contest will have their work seen by prominent industry designers including Beowulf Boritt, Christine Jones, and Bruce Rodgers, and the winner’s design will be produced for sale along with designs created for Behind the Scenes by some of the industry’s top designers. The contest is open to full-time lighting, set, video, or costume design students. Original designs must be submitted by March 30.

Guidelines and cards from previous years can be viewed at www.estafoundation.org.