A common Question on CB is "Where should I buy from?" The majority of CB pros agree that the best place is your local dealer. While the big national dealers or Internet dealers may be able to offer you a better price at times they are not going to be able save your show if something goes wrong on a Saturday night. Having an established relationship with your local dealer will possibly save you. On more than one occasion I've had the owner (or a sales person) from my local dealer stop by on his/her way home from work to drop off another unit to get my show up and running. Finally, having a long term relationship with a local dealer will get you better prices from that dealer, that will come close to what the national and Internet dealers can offer. At the bottom of this post you will find a list of recommended local dealers.
Due to purchasing restrictions or where you are physically located, establishing a relationship with a local dealer may not be possible (or maybe you just don't like them). In that case there are several major national dealers with regional offices to consider such as:
Large National Dealers in General Theatrical Supply:
4Wall Locations in Las Vegas, NYC, and Phoenix
Barbizon Lighting Company 11 US offices, an office in London plus now has an office in Australia
BMI Supply
Clearwing Productions, Inc. - Offices in Milwaukee, WI and Phoenix, AZ
John S. Hyatt & Associates, Inc. Grand Rapids, MI
Mainstage Theatrical Supply with offices in Milwaukee, Pensacola, and Memphis.
Norcostco Main Office: Minneapolis; Branches in Atlanta, Dallas, LA, Denver, and New York.
PRG 13 US offices, plus Canada, UK, and Japan
Production Advantage
Internet-based general theater dealers who are trusted by CB members:
Full Compass Systems
Premier Lighting
Entertainment Systems Corp. The owner is CB Member [user]BillESC[/user].
Stage Spot
Monkey Wrench Productions
Audio, Video, and Networking Cables:
Mono Price
Specialty Dealers:
Specializing in Lamps, with a limited selection of other lighting things:
Bultronics
BulbAmerica
Bulbman
Tools and consumables for stage technicians:
Tools for Stagecraft
Roadie Tools
Film Tools
Audio only:
Audiopile/EWI Cables & Tour Cases
Professional Studio Equipment for Audio Broadcast, Audio Recording | BSWUSA.com , Broadcast Supply Worldwide
http://www.ccisolutions.com, CCI Solutions
Sweetwater has a store in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Musician's Friend
Video Specialty:
B&H Photo
Markertek
Below please list your your favorite local Dealers:
USA: Please add your state in alphabetical order and list your favorite dealers. Please also share the cities.
Arizona:
Arizona Cine Equipment - Tucson
Arizona Pro Sound, Inc. - Tucson
Clearwing Productions, Inc. - Phoenix
California:
California Stage & Lighting, Inc. - Santa Ana
Colorado:
Barbizon Light of the Rockies - Denver
Florida:
Barbizon Lighting - Miami
Stage Equipment and Lighting, INC - Orlando, Miami, & Tampa
Mainstage Theatrical Supply- Pensacola.
Murphy Lighting Systems - Orlando
Georgia:
Barbizon Lighting - Atlanta
Television Production Service - Atlanta
Illinois:
Barbizon Lighting - Chicago
Chicago Spotlight - Chicago
DesignLab Chicago - Chicago
Gand Music & Sound - Chicago (Audio & Backline)
Grand Stage - Chicago
Intelligent Lighting Creations (ILC) - Chicago
Iowa:
Central Lighting & Equipment, Inc. - Des Moines (see [user]MPowers[/user])
Kentucky:
Vincent Lighting Systems - Near Cincinnati/Northern KY Airport. Also, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Detroit, MI (see [user]AdamHVLS[/user])
On Location Lighting Systems - Erlanger
Louisiana:
StageLight - New Orleans
Maryland:
BSL Productions, Inc. - Baltimore (Primarily Lighting)
Massachusetts:
Limelight Productions Inc. - Lee (Western Mass., Eastern NY.)
High Output Inc. - Canton (Boston Metro Area)
Advanced Lighting and Production Services (ALPS) - Randolph (Boston Metro Area)
Theatrix - Belchertown (Western and Central Mass)
Michigan:
Fantasee Lighting & Sound - Yipsilanti
John S. Hyatt & Associates, Inc. Grand Rapids, MI
Pegasus Theatrical - Southfield
Tobins Lake Studios - Brighton
Vincent Lighting Systems - Detroit, and also Cleveland and Cincinnati, OH and Pittsburgh, PA.
Minnesota:
Gopher Stage Lighting - Minneapolis
Monkey Wrench Productions - Minneapolis
Missouri:
Bad Dog Pictures - St. Louis
Cine Services - St. Louis
Logic Systems: Sound and Lighting - St. Louis
Nevada:
Alumifax - Las Vegas
New Hampshire:
PORT Lighting Systems - Seabrook (NH/MA border)
New York:
Barbizon Electric - NYC
Syracuse Scenery and Stage Lighting - Central NY
BMI Supply - Capital Region
Ohio:
Beck Studios - Milford (see [user]abbyt[/user])
Vincent Lighting Systems - Cleveland, Cincinnati, and also Pittsburgh, PA and Detroit, MI
Schell Scenic Studio - Columbus
Brite Lites - Columbus
The Light Fantastic - Dayton (see [user]bitbrat[/user])
Pennsylvania:
Avista Custom Theatrical - Philadelphia; General expendables, props rental, props production and custom softgoods.
Philadelphia Theatrical Supply - Philadelphia; Full service dealer. ETC authorized rep, Avolites authorized dealer, Apollo dealer.
Vincent Lighting Systems - Pittsburgh, and also Cleveland and Cincinnati, OH, and Detroit, MI
Northern Sound and Light - Pittsburgh
Rhode Island:
ATR Treehouse - Providence
High Output - Providence
Tennessee:
Mainstage Theatrical Supply - Memphis
StageLight - Nashville
Texas:
Barbizon Lighting - Dallas
StageLight - Houston & Dallas
Utah:
General Theatrical Supply (GTS) - Salt Lake City
Oasis Stage Werks - Salt Lake City
Vermont:
Dark Star Lighting - Hinesburg (Northwest VT)
Virginia:
Barbizon Capitol - Alexandria
Bexel ASG (Formerly Systems Wireless) - Herndon (Wireless Rentals and Purchases)
Heinz Musitronics - Charlottesville (General Audio)
Washington State:
MorganSound.com - Lynnwood, WA (Audio only)
Pacific Northwest Theater Associates (PNTA) - Seattle
Silhouette Lights and Staging - Spokane, WA (Yakima, Wenatchee, Richland/Kennewick/Pasco, Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint, Kalispell, Missoula)
Stagecraft Industries - Seattle, WA and also Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA
Wisconsin:
Acme Corp Production Services - Milwaukee
Clearwing Productions, Inc. - Milwaukee
Mainstage Theatrical Supply - Milwaukee
Studio Gear LLC - Milwaukee
World- Please list country in alphabetical order and state or other regional description as seems most appropriate.
BELGIUM:
Candela
CANADA:
Ontario:
Christie Lites -Lighting, rigging, touring
Ontario Staging Ltd -Lighting, rigging, soft goods
Jack A. Frost Ltd -Lighting, sound, scenic, power
Horizon Solutions -Audio, Lighting, Video
------------
Another source of information, sometimes overlooked, is the manufacturer's list of authorized dealers, which is almost always somewhere on the manufacturer's website. See "Dealers and Distributors" for ETC. Sales for Strand. Apollo - Dealer Locator. Rosco - Where To Buy. And so on.
Disclaimer: Inclusion in this list is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted or construed as a recommendation or endorsement by ControlBooth.
Due to purchasing restrictions or where you are physically located, establishing a relationship with a local dealer may not be possible (or maybe you just don't like them). In that case there are several major national dealers with regional offices to consider such as:
Large National Dealers in General Theatrical Supply:
4Wall Locations in Las Vegas, NYC, and Phoenix
Barbizon Lighting Company 11 US offices, an office in London plus now has an office in Australia
BMI Supply
Clearwing Productions, Inc. - Offices in Milwaukee, WI and Phoenix, AZ
John S. Hyatt & Associates, Inc. Grand Rapids, MI
Mainstage Theatrical Supply with offices in Milwaukee, Pensacola, and Memphis.
Norcostco Main Office: Minneapolis; Branches in Atlanta, Dallas, LA, Denver, and New York.
PRG 13 US offices, plus Canada, UK, and Japan
Production Advantage
Internet-based general theater dealers who are trusted by CB members:
Full Compass Systems
Premier Lighting
Entertainment Systems Corp. The owner is CB Member [user]BillESC[/user].
Stage Spot
Monkey Wrench Productions
Audio, Video, and Networking Cables:
Mono Price
Specialty Dealers:
Specializing in Lamps, with a limited selection of other lighting things:
Bultronics
BulbAmerica
Bulbman
Tools and consumables for stage technicians:
Tools for Stagecraft
Roadie Tools
Film Tools
Audio only:
Audiopile/EWI Cables & Tour Cases
Professional Studio Equipment for Audio Broadcast, Audio Recording | BSWUSA.com , Broadcast Supply Worldwide
http://www.ccisolutions.com, CCI Solutions
Sweetwater has a store in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Musician's Friend
Video Specialty:
B&H Photo
Markertek
Below please list your your favorite local Dealers:
USA: Please add your state in alphabetical order and list your favorite dealers. Please also share the cities.
Arizona:
Arizona Cine Equipment - Tucson
Arizona Pro Sound, Inc. - Tucson
Clearwing Productions, Inc. - Phoenix
California:
California Stage & Lighting, Inc. - Santa Ana
Colorado:
Barbizon Light of the Rockies - Denver
Florida:
Barbizon Lighting - Miami
Stage Equipment and Lighting, INC - Orlando, Miami, & Tampa
Mainstage Theatrical Supply- Pensacola.
Murphy Lighting Systems - Orlando
Georgia:
Barbizon Lighting - Atlanta
Television Production Service - Atlanta
Illinois:
Barbizon Lighting - Chicago
Chicago Spotlight - Chicago
DesignLab Chicago - Chicago
Gand Music & Sound - Chicago (Audio & Backline)
Grand Stage - Chicago
Intelligent Lighting Creations (ILC) - Chicago
Iowa:
Central Lighting & Equipment, Inc. - Des Moines (see [user]MPowers[/user])
Kentucky:
Vincent Lighting Systems - Near Cincinnati/Northern KY Airport. Also, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Detroit, MI (see [user]AdamHVLS[/user])
On Location Lighting Systems - Erlanger
Louisiana:
StageLight - New Orleans
Maryland:
BSL Productions, Inc. - Baltimore (Primarily Lighting)
Massachusetts:
Limelight Productions Inc. - Lee (Western Mass., Eastern NY.)
High Output Inc. - Canton (Boston Metro Area)
Advanced Lighting and Production Services (ALPS) - Randolph (Boston Metro Area)
Theatrix - Belchertown (Western and Central Mass)
Michigan:
Fantasee Lighting & Sound - Yipsilanti
John S. Hyatt & Associates, Inc. Grand Rapids, MI
Pegasus Theatrical - Southfield
Tobins Lake Studios - Brighton
Vincent Lighting Systems - Detroit, and also Cleveland and Cincinnati, OH and Pittsburgh, PA.
Minnesota:
Gopher Stage Lighting - Minneapolis
Monkey Wrench Productions - Minneapolis
Missouri:
Bad Dog Pictures - St. Louis
Cine Services - St. Louis
Logic Systems: Sound and Lighting - St. Louis
Nevada:
Alumifax - Las Vegas
New Hampshire:
PORT Lighting Systems - Seabrook (NH/MA border)
New York:
Barbizon Electric - NYC
Syracuse Scenery and Stage Lighting - Central NY
BMI Supply - Capital Region
Ohio:
Beck Studios - Milford (see [user]abbyt[/user])
Vincent Lighting Systems - Cleveland, Cincinnati, and also Pittsburgh, PA and Detroit, MI
Schell Scenic Studio - Columbus
Brite Lites - Columbus
The Light Fantastic - Dayton (see [user]bitbrat[/user])
Pennsylvania:
Avista Custom Theatrical - Philadelphia; General expendables, props rental, props production and custom softgoods.
Philadelphia Theatrical Supply - Philadelphia; Full service dealer. ETC authorized rep, Avolites authorized dealer, Apollo dealer.
Vincent Lighting Systems - Pittsburgh, and also Cleveland and Cincinnati, OH, and Detroit, MI
Northern Sound and Light - Pittsburgh
Rhode Island:
ATR Treehouse - Providence
High Output - Providence
Tennessee:
Mainstage Theatrical Supply - Memphis
StageLight - Nashville
Texas:
Barbizon Lighting - Dallas
StageLight - Houston & Dallas
Utah:
General Theatrical Supply (GTS) - Salt Lake City
Oasis Stage Werks - Salt Lake City
Vermont:
Dark Star Lighting - Hinesburg (Northwest VT)
Virginia:
Barbizon Capitol - Alexandria
Bexel ASG (Formerly Systems Wireless) - Herndon (Wireless Rentals and Purchases)
Heinz Musitronics - Charlottesville (General Audio)
Washington State:
MorganSound.com - Lynnwood, WA (Audio only)
Pacific Northwest Theater Associates (PNTA) - Seattle
Silhouette Lights and Staging - Spokane, WA (Yakima, Wenatchee, Richland/Kennewick/Pasco, Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint, Kalispell, Missoula)
Stagecraft Industries - Seattle, WA and also Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA
Wisconsin:
Acme Corp Production Services - Milwaukee
Clearwing Productions, Inc. - Milwaukee
Mainstage Theatrical Supply - Milwaukee
Studio Gear LLC - Milwaukee
World- Please list country in alphabetical order and state or other regional description as seems most appropriate.
BELGIUM:
Candela
CANADA:
Ontario:
Christie Lites -Lighting, rigging, touring
Ontario Staging Ltd -Lighting, rigging, soft goods
Jack A. Frost Ltd -Lighting, sound, scenic, power
Horizon Solutions -Audio, Lighting, Video
------------
Another source of information, sometimes overlooked, is the manufacturer's list of authorized dealers, which is almost always somewhere on the manufacturer's website. See "Dealers and Distributors" for ETC. Sales for Strand. Apollo - Dealer Locator. Rosco - Where To Buy. And so on.
Disclaimer: Inclusion in this list is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted or construed as a recommendation or endorsement by ControlBooth.
