Solo or part of a troupe, onstage or behind the scenes, paid or volunteer, each of the five 2010 Heart of the Arts Award nominees gives 100 percent to the bright and varied world of arts and entertainment in Broome County. All this week BAMirror will be providing biographical background about the nominees. We’re also offering you an opportunity to congratulate the nominees and to share a story or two. Today we feature veteran union stagehand William “Billy” Carroll.
NOTE TO BCAC MEMBERS: Your HOTA Ballot must be in by 5 p.m. Sept. 7. The three HOTA award recipients and this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award honoree will be announced on Oct. 1. They will receive their awards during the Heart of the Arts Awards Celebration Oct. 8 in the Recital Hall of The Forum in Binghamton.
Billy Carroll, union stagehand
More widely known to the arts community as “Droop,” William “Billy” Carroll has been a part of the Greater Binghamton arts scene since 1980, when he joined Local 54 of the International Alliance of Theatre Stage Employees (IATSE) as a stagehand. Now as the business agent/crew chief for the union, his primary function is to manage and arrange technical support for all productions at The Forum and the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, from countless concerts and dance performances to graduation ceremonies and community functions. He has become an integral part of each and every arts organization that presents at these locations including Tri-Cities Opera, the Broadway Theatre League and The Binghamton Philharmonic.
“Droop” also is responsible for technical crew support at events such as the Spiedie Fest and the Dick’s Open and can be heard “barking orders” at Binghamton University’s Event Center and Anderson Center. On “dark days” at the theaters, “Droop” is a properties supervisor for the First Ward Action Council and often can be seen in his pick-up truck driving up and down Clinton Street.
A 1976 graduate of Binghamton High School, “Droop” was never “formally” schooled in technical theater, but he has a broad and diverse knowledge of his craft. He is most willing to share his abilities with all who need his help. He is always willing to “go the extra mile” by helping many groups who may not have expertise in lighting design or production management to make certain their show is a success.
William Carroll is, by nature, more comfortable “behind the scenes,” but his friends know that he is, at times, willing to steal the spotlight with an occasional dance on top of a speaker cluster (check it out on YouTube)! He is honored to be among the distinguished list of arts advocates nominated for Heart of the Arts Awards. He wishes to congratulate his fellow nominees and thank the Broome County Arts Council for this very special recognition.
If you wish to offer your congratulations or tell your best “Droop” story, please comment here.
