Undergraduate student, Paige ‘Flynn’ Yepsen won the “Stump the Rigger” trophy at USITT 2026 conference in Long Beach, CA on Saturday, March 21, 2026!

“Stump the Rigger” is an annual, interactive USITT Conference session led by industry veteran Bill Sapsis. Attendees challenge his expertise with complex safety and rigging questions, competing for a trophy. It is a staple event focusing on entertainment rigging safety, techniques, and troubleshooting. Annually, since 2008, the Stump the Rigger trophy is awarded for the best question or situation that the Stump the Rigger panel cannot correctly answer, identify, or solve.

The question posed was based on their rigging scenario and solution for the NCT's HEDDA GABLER and THE UNDERPANTS reps.

Congratulations!