UNCSA Design & Production featured at 2025 U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology conference

Students and faculty from the School of Design and Production (D&P) UNCSA took part in USITT25, the annual conference of the U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology, held earlier this month in Columbus, Ohio. Their participation included student recognition and faculty presentations, highlighting the school's ongoing engagement with the national performing arts design and technology community.

Undergraduate student Ben Hirschfield, of Chappaqua, New York, was selected for the USITT Emerging Creatives Showcase. A scene designer, he is a candidate for graduation in May. The Emerging Creatives Showcase is an annual open adjudicated exhibition of designers, craftspersons and managers. Formerly the "Young Designers & Technicians Forum," the Emerging Creatives Showcase brings together talented students with established designers and directors for a review and discussion of the student's work.

In addition, several current and former D&P faculty members gave presentations and participated in panel discussions throughout the conference. USITT is an organization that connects performing arts design and technology communities that include practitioners, educators and students.

“We are thrilled that Ben was selected for the Emerging Creatives Showcase this year,” said Design and Production Dean Michael J. Kelley, who attended the USITT conference in Columbus and is himself an alumnus of UNCSA. “USITT is filled with prestigious awards and events and is the source for training and innovation for future and current professionals in the global arts and entertainment industry.

“That’s why I’m equally thrilled that so many of our faculty members presented or participated in panel discussions and demonstrations at USITT this year. It speaks highly of their dedication to their craft and perpetuating a culture of ‘giving back’ to the next generation of talented students.”

Presentations and their presenters included:

• “Scenic Designer and Scenic Artists Working Together,” a panel discussion with Director of Scenic Art and Scene Painting Susan Crabtree, Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus Joseph P. Tilford; and Anne Clark and Michael Devine.

Susan Crabtree also presented a demonstration with colleagues Karen Maness, Claire Dana and Rachel Keebler, “Paint Lab – Scenic Art Master Class Live.”

• “Prop Lab – Digital Scene Design Lab,” presented by faculty member Ryan Douglass, a scenic designer.
• “Robotics and Automation On and Off the Stage” featured Director of Scenic Technology, Technical Direction and Stage Automation Scott Beckwith as one of the speakers.
• “Animatronics: Breathing Life into Technology,” was presented by Interim Director of Animatronics Eric Hart, Animatronics faculty member Kelly Simons, and D&P graduate animatronics student Carlitos Ayma Gonzalez of St. Louis, Missouri.

Kelly Simons also presented at another panel discussion, “Flat Building: Framing Our Spaces.”

Director of Stage Management Molly McCarter served with the Gateway Mentorship Program, which utilizes distinguished industry professionals to work with underserved students and guide them through the conference experience and beyond.

In addition, Clifton Taylor, former professor of lighting design at UNCSA, won a Merit Award in the 2025 Publications Awards for "Illuminating Lighting Education,” winter 2024.

About USITT

USITT was founded in 1960 as an organization to promote dialogue, research and learning among practitioners of theater design and technology. Today it has grown to include members at all levels of their careers and has embraced the new technologies being used in entertainment. USITT is now the leader in lifelong learning opportunities for the entertainment design and technology industry.

About the School of Design and Production

A stand-alone design and production conservatory dedicated to every aspect of the global entertainment industry, the School of Design and Production (D&P) at UNCSA delivers a profoundly creative, hands-on immersion in the behind-the-scenes magic of live entertainment, with undergraduate and graduate programs in animatronics, costume design, costume technology, lighting, production and project management, scene design, scene painting, scenic art, scenic technology, sound design, stage automation, stage management, stage properties, technical direction, and wig and makeup design. D&P is the only one of its kind as a conservatory that is not integrated into a theater program, giving students and alumni the opportunity to transition into other career fields like film, television, and live and themed entertainment.

Notable D&P alumni include Academy Award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell, TV and film executive producer Tanase Popa, photographer David LaChapelle, actress Hunter Schafer, wig and makeup artist Destinee Steele, Director of Visual | Windows + Interiors at Saks Fifth Avenue Connor Matz, and many others.

Tickets and information about additional “UNCSA Presents” performances can be found at uncsa.edu/performances.