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  Productions Unlimited Presents KRT at USITT26!2026-03-23
  Thanks to Productions Unlimited, Inc., the Kappel Rigging Trainer was able to return for USITT26 in Long Beach. Located in Roebuck, South Carolina, Productions Unlimited is an entertainment vendor offering a very wide range of services including system integration, rentals, sales, signature product manufacturing, and more. In addition to sharing their booth with the KRT,… Read more: Productions Unlimited Presents KRT at USITT26!
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  New Prototypes Underway2026-03-02
  In preparation for USITT26, the new prototypes of the KRT are in-progress. These prototypes are sponsored in-part by Productions Unlimited, Inc. All of the laser-cut steel and aluminum parts were donated. Thank you Productions Unlimited! Also, thank you to the Krannert Center Scene Shop for supporting the build. Last but not least, thank you to… Read more: New Prototypes Underway
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  Protocol Magazine Introduces the KRT2025-11-18
  After the Kappel Rigging Trainer was unveiled at USITT25, it was time to share the greater personal story behind its creation. ESTA provided the opportunity for a feature article in Protocol magazine. Matt began writing the article in July 2025 and it was published on October 1st. To read the full article, visit the free… Read more: Protocol Magazine Introduces the KRT
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  Story of KRT Wins Award at Speech Competition2025-04-09
  Research Live! is a speech competition hosted by the Graduate College at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Graduate students have three minutes to explain their research and its impact to non-experts. The development of the Kappel Rigging Trainer was presented in a speech titled “Teaching Theatrical Counterweight Rigging in the Classroom.” This speech was selected as one of 13 finalists and… Read more: Story of KRT Wins Award at Speech Competition
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  U of I Presents KRT at USITT25!2025-03-09
  The KRT made its USITT debut in Columbus, Ohio at the University of Illinois booth. The KRT was also featured in a “poster session” slideshow as shown below. Special thanks to Rob Perry, Eben Alguire, Bronwyn Garrett, and Morgan Lin for helping make the KRT happen at the booth! Poster Session “Poster sessions” at USITT… Read more: U of I Presents KRT at USITT25!
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  The First KRT2025-01-17
  The first KRT was designed and built in the fall of 2024 by Matt Grenier, as a Graduate Assistantship project while pursuing his MFA in Scenic Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The first version of the KRT was built from custom 3D-printed parts and commonly available scene shop materials using basic techniques and… Read more: The First KRT

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