The scene design Kathryn Kawecki created for Noises Off, left, helped the adjudicators select her for the 2007 USITT Scene Design Award sponsored by Rose Brand. It is one of 10 such awards to be presented at the 2007 Annual Conference & Stage Expo.

by Barbara E.R. Lucas
Sightlines Editor

The new electronic format for submitting and reviewing portfolios and letters of recommendation for USITT's Awards for Young Designers & Technicians in the Performing Arts created new excitement for the awards.

Kim Williamson, USITT's Vice-President for Commissions, recruited adjudicators whose job it was to review the broad range of nominations from USITT members. All 10 winners will be recognized as part of the Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Phoenix, Arizona in March.

New this year is the USITT Lighting Design Award sponsored by Stage Technology, given to an outstanding undergraduate student of lighting design. Winner John Jacobsen, from Pennsylvania State University, noted on his application that, in addition to extensive design work, he is also serving at President of the Penn State USITT Student Chapter. He was nominated by William Kenyon.

Other winners, the member who nominated them, and the schools from which they graduated or currently attend are:

KM Fabrics, Inc. Technical Production Award
Winner Jonathan Reed
Nominator Ben Sammler
Institution Yale School of Drama

Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award
Winner Dave Mickey
Nominator Donna Ruzika
Institution California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)

USITT Costume Design & Technology Award sponsored by Zelma H. Weisfeld
Winner Brandon McWilliams
Nominator Dick Block
Institution Carnegie Mellon School of Drama

USITT Frederick A. Buerki Technology Award sponsored by Bernhard Works
Winner Joseph Hamlin
Nominator Ben Sammler
Institution Yale School of Drama

USITT Lighting Design Award sponsored by Barbizon Lighting Company
Winner Holly Blomquist
Nominator Ann M. Archbold
Institution University of Wisconsin -- Madison

USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Corporation
Winner Jillian Carter Rivers
Nominator Pamela Knourek
Institution North Carolina School of the Arts

USITT Scene Design Award sponsored by Rose Brand
Winner Kathryn Kawecki
Nominator Howard Jones
Institution North Carolina School of the Arts

USITT Stage Management Award sponsored by Clear-Com Communication Systems
Winner Tarin Hurstell
Nominator Charles T. Lawlor
Institution James Madison University

USITT W. Oren Parker Scene Design Award sponsored by Stage Decoration & Supplies, Inc.
Winner Adam Koch
Nominator Richard Block
Institution Carnegie Mellon School of Drama

All YD&T award winners receive cash prizes ranging from $500 to $2,000, registration to the USITT Annual Conference & Stage Expo, and the opportunity to meet with award sponsors and adjudicators in an informal setting to exchange ideas.

Past year's winners and more information on the awards process can be found here.

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