TECHnically Speaking

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman.

On this week’s episode we sat down with sound designer and 2022 Distinguished Achievement Award for Sound winner, Michael Hooker. We chatted with Michael about his long legacy and involvement with USITT, themed entertainment work, his experience as an educator, and much more.

Michael K. Hooker has proudly been involved with USITT since attending his first conference in 1995. He has served as Sound Commissioner, chaired dozens of sessions and helped program the sound sessions for five Conferences. He was also part of the development and steering committee for the inaugural 2012 USITT Sound Lab along with the subsequent 2014, 2016 and 2018 Sound Labs.

Michael’s educational service spans 30 years. He is currently Professor of Sound Design and Composition for Theatre at the University of California, Irvine where he heads their sound design MFA program. Prior to UCI, he was Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) where he created their MFA and BFA programs in sound design. Prior to CCM he developed and headed the sound design program at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). He also served as faculty at the University of Arizona, School of Theatre.

Michael has designed sound and/or composed music for more than 125 productions. He designed Looped for its Broadway run and subsequent national tour. His regional theatrical designs have been heard at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Kirk Douglas Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, South Coast Repertory, Arena Stage, Pasadena Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and Opera Theatre of St. Louis. In Los Angeles, he has designed at the Echo Theatre, Mainstreet Theatre, Colony Theatre, Strasberg/Marilyn Monroe Theatre, Mark Taper Forum New Works Festival/Taper, Too, and the Hayworth. Internationally, he has designed at the Gdansk Shakespeare Festival (Poland), Sibiu International Theatre Festival and National Theatre Festival in Bucharest (Romania), Amsterdam Fringe Festival, the Divadlo DISK Theatre (Prague), Accademia Dell'Arte (Italy), and the Hanmadang Theatre Festival (Seoul).

As a commercial sound designer and composer, Michael has designed sound and/or produced music for themed entertainment productions all over the world. He recently composed music for the Quest theme park in Doha, Qatar. He designed Tarzan, Call of the Jungle at Shanghai Disneyland and music for the Enchanted Art attractions aboard the Disney Dream cruise ship. He composed the score for the Griffith Park Observatory planetarium show First Light and he has worked as sound editor for Buena Vista Interactive, Way Forward Technologies, and Sonic Desktop Software.

Michael spent six years as Senior Media Designer for Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) where he produced sound and music for Disney theme parks worldwide - including Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea and Walt Disney Studios - Paris. Some of his major attractions designed while at WDI are Aladdin's Magic Lamp Theatre at Tokyo DisneySea and Cinemagique at Walt Disney Studios. He was area lead media designer for Adventureland at Hong Kong Disneyland and Mermaid Lagoon at Tokyo DisneySea. Smaller attractions include two popular holiday overlay shows: it's a small world very merry holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday both at Tokyo Disneyland.

Michael received a BFA from the University of Arizona and an MFA from the CalArts School of Theatre. He is also a member of United Scenic Artists/IATSE local 829.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman.

On this week’s episode, we sat down with 2022 YDMT winner of the Zelma H. Weisfeld Costume Design & Technology Award, Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu is a costume designer with professional experience in theater, opera, musical, dance and Chinese traditional opera. Deeply rooted in his diverse background and interest in bridging the gaps between design and fine art, Zhang Yu incorporates various intercultural elements and interdisciplinary techniques in many of his designs on stage. Acknowledging both the designer and artist in himself, he hopes to break new ground and redefine his practice in both the studio and the theater. He wishes that his work can bring the beauty and value that all humanity share. Zhang Yu has presented his works in the Shanghai Expo 2010, Shanghai Art Biennial 2010, Expo Milan 2015, and 2010 Taipei Kuandu Arts Festival. He has also won the 2020 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region Two Design Excellence for Costumes Award, and the Annual Award of the China Institute of Stage Design for Best Costume Design in 2012. Zhang Yu is currently pursuing his MFA in costume design in the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University. There, he has been accorded the honor of being an Elizabeth Schrader Kimberly Fellow.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman.

On this week’s episode, we sat down with 2022 YDMT winner of the USITT Scene Design Award Sponsored by Rose Brand, Kevin Lee McBee.

We chatted about his work on and off the traditional stage, both in theme parks and museums, as well as his design inspirations and industry passions

More about Kevin: My name is Kevin Lee McBee and I am a story-focused designer with a passion for theater, film and long form television. I was born in Memphis, Tennessee and grew up in the green, leafy humidity of North Carolina. My parents lovingly tolerated their strange son and provided all the art supplies I could get my grubby hands around. My previous work ranges from rebranding cultural institutions to writing, designing, and art directing experiences in theme parks and museums. I attended UNCSA’s School of Design and Production and received my MFA in Scenic Design in 2021. I currently live and work in Los Angeles as a Scenic and Set Designer and can, more often than not, be found drinking coffee or filling up a sketchbook one page at a time - or on my motorcycle headed somewhere to do both at once. I firmly believe that design is both lens and mirror - a way to better understand the world, the self, and those within it. And a world without design and art is all the poorer for it.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

This week’s episode features USITT’s own Jody Harris! Jody joined the USITT team three years ago as our meeting planner and has most recently become our Director of Sales and Events. We chatted about her new role, future goals for the Institute, and what her growth within USITT means for our membership and Conference

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman.

On this week’s episode, we sat down with 2022 YDMT winner of the KM Fabrics Technical production Award, Cam Camden.

At the time of recording, Cam was a fourth-year MFA Candidate in the Technical Design & Production Program at the newly renamed David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. Cam graduated this past spring.

Cam is originally from Michigan and holds a BA in Theatre Arts with a focus in Technical Direction from the University of Miami. While there, Cam worked at several summer stock companies including the Ohio Light Opera and Potsdam Music Theatre. After graduating, he moved to New York to spend a year working as the Technical Direction Apprentice at The Juilliard School. Afterwards, Cam moved back to his hometown to work as an Associate TD at the performing arts conservatory within Detroit Country Day School. Through that job, he solidified his passion for education which led him to pursue his Master’s Degree. Cam is the co-chair of the School of Drama Student Government where he hopes to help represent and advocate for the study body as a whole. Outside of school and theatre, Cam enjoys cooking, tending to his many houseplants, hanging out with his cat, Mac, and being a proud member of the trans community.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman.

On this week’s episode, we sat down with 2022 YDMT winner of the 2022 Barbizon Lighting Company Jonathan Resnick Lighting Design Award, Denisse Chavez.

Denisse received her B.A. in Theatre Arts from The University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. She has had the opportunity to work in several technical and design fields with The San Pedro Playhouse and the Magik Theatre in San Antonio and the Virginia Stage Company in Norfolk, Virginia. Her design work has been recognized with the Excellence in Lighting Design of a Musical Award by the Alamo Theatre Arts Council of San Antonio for her work on The Music Man.

She is currently working towards a graduate degree in lighting design at Purdue University and is trying her hand at scenic and lighting design for their production of Fefu and her Friends.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman.

On this week’s episode, we sat down with 2022 with creator of the upcoming USITT curated conversations web series, "Success Stories," Caitlyn Garrity.

USITT is launching the curated conversation web series “Success Stories”, to begin in July. By focusing on theatre operation success stories, this series will uplift our fellow artists, and focus on a logical presentation of how they achieved their success. Not just what worked, but what didn’t as well. By seeing the process that these organizations have gone through will inspire, motivate, and guide others. This series will have a monthly focus on a theatre operation topic, and will include a speaker(s) to share how their organization achieved their goal.

To learn more about the web series, visit www.usitt.org/news/new-usitt-curated-conversation-series-success-stories-needs-your-recommendations.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman.

On this week’s episode, we sat down with 2022 YDMT winner of the USITT Stage Management Award Sarah Bauch.

Sarah fell in love with stage management at fourteen-years-old when she stumbled on to the job at her high school and has never looked back since. She continued her stage management education earning a BA in Technical Theatre from East Stroudsburg University, where she became the winner of the 2017 and 2018 Stage Management Excellence Award for Region II at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

She is currently a third year Stage and Production Management MFA student at Carnegie Mellon University where she assistant teaches multiple classes, including a course titled Technical Management that teaches young designers and managers paperwork fundamentals, managerial soft skills, and the foundations of leadership. She has worked professionally as a Production Stage Manager for Interlakes Summer Theatre and Assistant Stage Manager for Resonance Works. She has worked on over thirty stage management teams during her theatrical education. She is passionate about Theatrical Intimacy Education and has over thirty hours of training in the subject, and had the privilege of taking Nicole Brewer’s Anti-Racist Theatre Courses. She strives to be an inclusive, open, and compassionate leader, and approaches every situation with a people first, position second mentality.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman.

On this week’s episode, we sat down with 2022 YDMT winner of the Bernhard R. Works Master Crafts Award, Riley Lathrom.

Riley is a graduating undergrad senior BFA Design Technology and Stage Management with an emphasis is Scenic Design at Missouri State University. Her credits include being the Scenic Designer for "Much Ado About Nothing", "Working: A Musical", and "These Shining Lives". She has been the Assistant Designer for "Cats" and "The Secret Garden". At Missouri State University, Riley is the recipient of the Provost Scholarship and the Bryne Blackwood Scenic Design Scholarship. Riley is honored to be nominated for the Bernhard R. Works Master Crafts Award for her work in Scenic Painting.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.

This podcast was recorded on the show floor of USITT22 at Studio USITT in partnership with AKG by Harman.

On this week’s episode, we sat down with 2022 YDMT winner of the Richard Hay Undergraduate Scene Design Award, Maggie Nelson.

Maggie has been scenic designing professionally for three years, and scenic painting for six. Her most recent work has been at Hope Summer Repertory Theatre’s 2021 outdoor season as Scenic Designer for A Year with Frog and Toad and The Importance of Being Earnest, Assistant to Remote Scenic Designers for The Mountaintop and Children of a Lesser God, and Scenic Paint Charge for all of the above. She is currently in her fourth year at The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University, pursuing a BFA in scenic design with a second emphasis in Scenic Art. She likes spaghetti and nature.

TECHnically Speaking is a public service of USITT, which seeks to have a broad conversation on topics of interest to its members, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Institute policy. The views expressed on this podcast by guests are their own and their appearance herein does not imply an endorsement of them or of any entity they may represent. Reference to any specific product or idea does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Views, opinions, recommendations or use cases expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of USITT, its Board members or employees.