Shortly after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, long-time HCT technician Will Phillips, 32, was trapped in the theater's hydraulic system below the stage, and received injuries to his jaw and ear, according to theater executive producer Mark Dietlein. Phillips received emergency treatment from a registered nurse who was part of the company, before paramedics arrived, and was transferred by helicopter to the hospital.

The accident occurred as a large rope was being delivered to the stage to ensnare the lead character, Aida, an Ethiopian princess. "There's a center column that delivers this particular set piece he was placing along with other technicians," Dietlein said on Wednesday afternoon. "He attempted to make some type of adjustment and got caught."

Aida director Andrew Barrus called an intermission after the accident, which occurred during the show's ninth number, "Dance of the Robe," and then announced the performance would be cut short.

At first, it was reported that Phillips' ear was ripped from his head and his jaw was broken. But on Wednesday afternoon, theater officials released a condition update from Phillips' wife stating the technician's injuries were "entirely cosmetic," requiring stitches and jaw realignment, rather than serious surgery. Through theater and university officials, Phillips' family declined to speak to The Salt Lake Tribune.

Serious accidents are unusual in local theaters, which generally produce less technical shows than those mounted as part of HCT's arena-style staging.

"Minor injuries are fairly common," said Terry Tischmak, president of Local 99, the Utah and Southern Idaho chapter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which represents some 210 members, as well as 125 short-term contract workers. "Usually it's smashed toes and fingers, that kind of thing. There's a saying, 'backstage is the place where high-tech and low life collide,' but things tend to be very rehearsed backstage. It seems chaotic, but it's not."

At Hale Center Theatre on Wednesday, officials announced they would alter the show slightly for the rest of the run, and noted the company's previously spotless safety record over an estimated 3,000 performances since moving into the $8 million West Valley City facility in 1998. Audience members who attended the Tuesday performance are invited to call the Hale Centre Theatre box office at 801-984-9000 to receive tickets to another performance. Aida will play at 7:30 p.m. nightly through April 15 (except Sunday) at the theater, 3333 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City.

ellenf@sltrib.com