TORONTO — International Representative Jason Vergnano won a competitive election to the board of the Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology where he will help develop the next generation of live event and theatre production professionals.
As a result of the vote, which was announced at the CITT Annual General Meeting on Aug. 14, Vergnano will serve as a Director at Large on the National Board of Directors. Moreover, Vergnano will chair the Rendezvous Committee, where he will help oversee the planning and development of CITT’s annual national conference.
“Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how closely the missions of CITT and IATSE align,” said Vergnano. “Training, safety, mentorship, and professional development are all essential to building a sustainable entertainment industry. I’m honored by the confidence CITT members have placed in me, and I look forward to working with my fellow Board members to continue strengthening our partnership while supporting the next generation of live performance professionals.”
Vergnano’s election reflects IATSE’s longstanding commitment to strengthening collaboration across Canada’s live event and theatre industries. Since first engaging with CITT in 2015, he has helped expand IATSE’s participation from conference sponsorship to a broader partnership focused on workforce development, professional training, safety, and advocacy.
Over the past decade, IATSE has participated in CITT conferences as an exhibitor, contributed to educational panels and industry discussions, and partnered on initiatives that support entertainment workers across Canada. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the two organizations worked alongside one another to advocate for targeted government support for performing arts workers and to strengthen opportunities for professional development.
The collaboration extends to IATSE’s support for CITT Ontario’s CONNECT conference. The Union has sponsored more than 17 professional training sessions, which have benefited members, non-members and students. CITT has also invested in workforce development through the IATSE Training Hub, now held annually in conjunction with CITT Rendezvous.
Additionally, Vergnano was also part of the IATSE team who successfully lobbied for the Canadian Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund, through which the Union secured more than $1.3 million to provide theatrical craft and skills-based training to hundreds of entertainment workers and students across Canada.
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About CITT
The Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the Canadian live performance community through professional development, networking, advocacy, and the exchange of knowledge among technicians, designers, production professionals, educators, and industry leaders.
