Awards for Young Designers & Technicians
The Awards for Young Designers & Technicians in the Performing Arts, known throughout USITT as the YD&T Awards, bring recognition and support to young designers and technicians at the beginning of their careers. They are made possible by generous gifts to USITT from their sponsors. If you are interested in establishing a permanent award, please contact the USITT Office.
KM Fabrics, Inc. Technical Production Award
Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award
USITT Lighting Design Award sponsored by Barbizon Lighting Company
USITT Scene Design Award sponsored by Rose Brand
USITT Costume Design & Technology Award sponsored by Zelma H. Weisfeld
USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Corporation
USITT Frederick A. Buerki Scenic Technology Award sponsored by Bernhard R. Works
USITT Stage Management Award sponsored by Clear-Com Communication Systems
USITT W. Oren Parker Undergraduate Scene Design Award sponsored by Stage Decoration & Supplies, Inc.
USITT Undergraduate Lighting Design Award sponsored by Stage Technology
KM Fabrics, Inc. Technical Production Award
This award is presented to a young designer or technician who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of technical direction or production management in the performing arts while pursuing a graduate degree. Established in 1994 by Richard K. Heusel, CEO and Founder of KM Fabrics, Inc. of Greenville, South Carolina. KM Fabrics, Inc. is the major manufacturer of woven cotton and inherently flame retardant velours employed in the stage curtain industry.
Recipients
| 2010 Amanda Haley |
| 2009 Mary Weber |
| 2008 Rick Miller |
| 2007 Jonathan Reed |
| 2006 Kate Wightman |
| 2005 Rachel Johnson |
| 2004 Christy E. Dilts |
| 2003 Michael D. Banta |
| 2003 Erik Viker |
| 2002 Joshua W. Peklo |
| 2001 Paul Brunner |
| 2000 Scott Conn |
| 1999 Frederick Ramage |
| 1998 Brian Stockmaster |
| 1997 Alys E. Holden |
| 1996 Elsa Padula |
| 1995 Erik Walstad |
Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award
This award is presented to a young designer or technician who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of sound in the performing arts while pursuing a graduate degree. It was established in 1996 by Clear-Com Intercom Systems of Berkeley, California. In the fall of 2005, a generous contribution by Robert and Sharon Cohen permanently established the Robert E. Cohen Award for Sound Achievement. Mr. Cohen is the founder and served as President of Clear-Com Intercom Systems from 1969-1977. He was responsible for the development of the closed circuit headset intercom system for the theatre which has become an industry standard.
Recipients
| 2010 David Hunter |
| 2009 Corinne Carrillo |
| 2008 Jason Knox |
| 2007 Dave Mickey |
| 2006 Peter Shiplett |
| 2005 Bradlee Ward |
| 2004 David Swenson |
| 2003 Cricket S. Myers |
| 2002 Ian Hunter |
| 2001 Christopher Plummer |
| 2000 Bryan Schlegel |
| 1999 Dominic Kramer |
| 1998 Andrew Dalzell |
| 1996 Mitchell Chapman |
USITT Lighting Design Award sponsored by Barbizon
This award is presented to a young designer or technician who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of lighting in the performing arts while pursuing a graduate degree. It was established in 1997 by The Barbizon Companies in memory of Sam Resnick and in honor of Sid Bloom. The Barbizon Companies, with offices throughout the United States, supply lighting equipment, expendables, and their specializations turn-key lighting and dimming systems.
Recipients
| 2010 James Tan Khoon Song |
| 2009 Catherine Girardi |
| 2008 Ben Pilat |
| 2007 Holly Blomquist |
| 2006 Andrew Hungerford |
| 2005 Keith Kirkland |
| 2004 Patricia Nichols |
| 2003 Jennifer Alexander |
| 2002 Camille R. Connolly |
| 2001 Marcus Doshi |
| 2000 Ann Courtney |
| 1999 Todd Proffitt |
| 1998 Kevin Shaw |
USITT Scene Design Award sponsored by Rose Brand
This award is presented to a young designer or technician who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of scene design in the performing arts while pursuing a graduate degree. It was established in 1997 by George Jacobstein, President of Rose Brand Theatrical Fabrics, Fabrications & Supplies. Rose Brand is a full service theatrical supply house specializing in custom-made stage draperies with offices in New York and California.
Recipients
| 2010 G. Warren Stiles |
| 2009 Arnold Bueso |
| 2008 Steven Kemp |
| 2007 Kathryn Kawecki |
| 2006 Andrew Birdzell |
| 2005 Kimi Maeda |
| 2004 Dustin Efrid |
| 2003 Brad Steinmetz |
| 2002 Nathan Heverin |
| 2001 Corey Shipler |
| 1999 Kathleen Widomski |
| 1998 Marie Cloud |
USITT Costume Design & Technology Award sponsored by Zelma H. Weisfeld
This award is presented to a young designer or technician who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of costume design or technology in the performing arts while pursuing a graduate degree. It was established in 1997 by Zelma H. Weisfeld, USITT Fellow, Costume Designer/Historian and Consultant. Weisfield retired from the University of Michigan after 28 years on the faculty.
Recipients
| 2010 Ariana Schwartz |
| 2009 A. W. Nadine Grant |
| 2008 Kevin Thacker |
| 2007 Brandon McWilliams |
| 2006 Zi Xie |
| 2005 Clinton O'Dell |
| 2004 Marija Djordjevic |
| 2003 Lynnsey D. Slanina |
| 2002 Olivera Gajic |
| 2001 Nicole Bartet |
| 2000 Andrea Varga |
| 1999 Erin Slattery |
| 1998 Timothy Dial |
USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Corporation
This award is presented to a young designer or technician who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of makeup design in the performing arts while pursuing a graduate degree. It was established in 1998 by Kryolan Corporation of Germany. With plants and subsidiaries throughout the world, Kryolan offers professional makeup designers a system of products and services to help them cope with the tasks of their work through innovative products and education in the proper application of these many products.
Recipients
| 2010 Beauty Thibodeau |
| 2009 Ming-Yen Ho |
| 2008 Kaylan Paisley |
| 2007 Jillian Carter Rivers |
| 2006 Kevin Kyle |
| 2005 Sarah Lock |
| 2004 Alexis Nichols |
| 2003 Matthew Hemesath |
| 2002 Brook D. Carl |
| 1999 Kim Morris |
USITT Frederick A. Buerki Golden Hammer Scenic Technology Award sponsored by Bernhard R. Works
This award is presented to a young designer or technician who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential as a scenic technician in areas such as stage engineering, shop management, scene painting, scenery or properties construction, and craft while pursuing a graduate degree. It was established in 1998 by Bernhard R. Works to honor the professional theatrical career of Frederick A. Buerki as a tribute to his enthusiasm and craftsmanship.
Recipients
| 2010 Chris Swetcky |
| 2009 John McCullough |
| 2008 Chris Brown |
| 2007 Joseph Hamlin |
| 2006 Daniel Lisowski |
| 2005 Rebecca Lanctot |
| 2004 Nick Bria |
| 2003 Alan Grudzinski |
| 2002 Dan Eslinger |
| 2001 Travis Coyne |
| 2000 Chuck Adomanis |
| 1999 David Stellhorn |
USITT Stage Management Award sponsored by Clear-Com Communication Systems
This award is presented to a young stage manager who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of stage management in the performing arts while pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. It was established in 2000 by Robert Scales, Charlie Richmond, and the USITT Stage Management Mentor Program. This award is presented in honor of a notable Professional Stage Manager. In 2006, Clear-Com Communication Systems assumed sponsorship for the award. Clear-Com is a leading manufacturer of intercom systems for the entertainment industry.
Recipients
| 2010 Bekah Wachenfeld |
| 2009 E. J. Wilson |
| 2008 Claire Diedrich |
| 2007 Tarin Hurstell |
| 2006 Tanase Popa |
| 2005 Rachael King (in honor of Winston Morgan) |
| 2004 John R. Gruber (in honor of Elynmarie Kazle) |
| 2003 Brian S. Newman (in honor of Cynthia Poulson) |
| 2002 Timothy R. Semon (in honor of Thomas A. Kelly) |
| 2001 Adina L. North (in honor of James T. McDermott) |
USITT W. Oren Parker Undergraduate Scene Design Award sponsored by Stage Decoration & Supplies, Inc.
This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of scenic design in the performing arts while pursuing an undergraduate degree. It was established in 2002 by Charles E. Williams in honor of W. Oren Parker. In 2006, sponsorship of the award was assumed by Stage Decoration & Supplies, a leading drapery manufacturer, serving the industry since 1923, and a member of USITT since 1965.
Recipients
| 2010 Caitlin Ayer |
| 2009 Ryan Wineinger |
| 2008 Collin Ranney |
| 2007 Adam Koch |
| 2006 Hallie Stern |
| 2005 Nicholas Vaughan |
| 2004 Katheryn Monthei |
| 2003 Jeff Hinchee |
| 2002 Brian Koehler |
USITT Undergraduate Lighting Design Award sponsored by Stage Technology
This award is presented to a young designer or technician who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of lighting in the performing arts while pursuing an undergraduate degree. It was established in 2006 by Niles Sayre, Co-founder of Stage Technology. Stage Technology is a single source provider of theatre and music performance equipment serving professional, educational, and community venues throughout the United States and abroad.
Recipients
| 2009 Andy Baker |
| 2008 Michael Billings |
| 2007 John Jacobsen |
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