ETHAN GILSON
OWNER, INSPECTOR, INSTRUCTOR |
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Ethan Gilson, a graduate of Emerson College (1998, BFA, Design Technology – Lighting), has 25+ years of experience working in the entertainment rigging and lighting industry. He began his career as an equipment specialist/technician, and, upon completing his degree, took on the role of lighting designer at Advanced Lighting and Production Services, Inc. (ALPS, now 4wall Boston). As his career developed, Gilson distinguished himself as a rigging specialist—designing rigging systems for portable and permanent installations. Today, he is the owner of Entertainment Rigging Services LLC, a company that specializes in entertainment rigging inspections, training, design, & installation. Gilson has worked in venues of diverse size and function including, but not limited to: hotel ballrooms, Las Vegas convention centers and arenas, New York theatres, Arenas & Stadiums, and outdoor festivals.
Gilson has been inspecting theaters and arenas of all sizes throughout the United States since 2006. In 2005, he received one of the first certificates granted by the ETCP in Arena and Theatre Rigging (Cert. # 0048). Gilson has established himself as an authority in the field, and since 2014, has served as an ETCP Rigging Certification Subject Matter Expert, a position which includes designing questions for certification exams. Gilson’s national reputation has led him to serve as leader of several ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association) Technical Standards Program task groups, whose goal is to establish ANSI standards for safety in the industry in the areas of fall arrest and suspended rigging.
In 2020 he was a recipient of the ESTA TSP “Above and Beyond Award” which celebrates those volunteers that have made significant contributions or effort that advances the Technical Standards Program.
In 2022, Ethan proposed a new ANSI standard through the ESTA TSP for guidance in the use of weapons in the entertainment industry, and in 2023 was named Co-chair of the Weapons Safety Working Group tasked with developing that standard.
In 2021 Gilson was elected to serve as the Professional Services Director for the ESTA Board of Directors, and in 2026 was appointed Secretary of the association by the BOD.
Gilson is OSHA 10/30 certified (Cert. # 002371128/21-602016902), an OSHA competent Person for Scaffolding, an OSHA competent person for Fall Arrest & Rescue, & is ANSI A92 complaint MEWP trainer. He continues his own education through trainings such as: ETC factory trained installation/technician of Prodigy Hoists, Tomcat U, Mountain Productions Hoist School, RigZ symposium at LDI, and many other educational opportunities.
In 2012, Gilson became an ETCP Recognized Trainer and launched Entertainment Rigging Sessions to prepare today’s riggers for the industry’s explosive growth and to promote safety standards throughout it. These sessions are recognized by the ETCP as qualifying instruction for re-certification. Gilson is an active member of the Event Safety Alliance whose goal is to promote safety and training, throughout the industry. Gilson has partnered with manufacturers, the annual LDI trade show, USITT, the Event Safety Alliance, various colleges/universities, unions, and local manufacturers to provide educational rigging sessions, tailoring sessions to meet the needs of each class. Gilson continues to stay abreast of the latest technology and advances in the industry, sharing this knowledge with his students.
Gilson is the host of Shackles, Burlap, & Lies, an industry podcast about the Entertainment Rigging industry and the people who work in it.
Gilson has been inspecting theaters and arenas of all sizes throughout the United States since 2006. In 2005, he received one of the first certificates granted by the ETCP in Arena and Theatre Rigging (Cert. # 0048). Gilson has established himself as an authority in the field, and since 2014, has served as an ETCP Rigging Certification Subject Matter Expert, a position which includes designing questions for certification exams. Gilson’s national reputation has led him to serve as leader of several ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association) Technical Standards Program task groups, whose goal is to establish ANSI standards for safety in the industry in the areas of fall arrest and suspended rigging.
In 2020 he was a recipient of the ESTA TSP “Above and Beyond Award” which celebrates those volunteers that have made significant contributions or effort that advances the Technical Standards Program.
In 2022, Ethan proposed a new ANSI standard through the ESTA TSP for guidance in the use of weapons in the entertainment industry, and in 2023 was named Co-chair of the Weapons Safety Working Group tasked with developing that standard.
In 2021 Gilson was elected to serve as the Professional Services Director for the ESTA Board of Directors, and in 2026 was appointed Secretary of the association by the BOD.
Gilson is OSHA 10/30 certified (Cert. # 002371128/21-602016902), an OSHA competent Person for Scaffolding, an OSHA competent person for Fall Arrest & Rescue, & is ANSI A92 complaint MEWP trainer. He continues his own education through trainings such as: ETC factory trained installation/technician of Prodigy Hoists, Tomcat U, Mountain Productions Hoist School, RigZ symposium at LDI, and many other educational opportunities.
In 2012, Gilson became an ETCP Recognized Trainer and launched Entertainment Rigging Sessions to prepare today’s riggers for the industry’s explosive growth and to promote safety standards throughout it. These sessions are recognized by the ETCP as qualifying instruction for re-certification. Gilson is an active member of the Event Safety Alliance whose goal is to promote safety and training, throughout the industry. Gilson has partnered with manufacturers, the annual LDI trade show, USITT, the Event Safety Alliance, various colleges/universities, unions, and local manufacturers to provide educational rigging sessions, tailoring sessions to meet the needs of each class. Gilson continues to stay abreast of the latest technology and advances in the industry, sharing this knowledge with his students.
Gilson is the host of Shackles, Burlap, & Lies, an industry podcast about the Entertainment Rigging industry and the people who work in it.
