The Tobin Theatre Arts Fund has generously approved a grant to support the USITT USA-Prague Quadrennial 2023 Student Exhibit. This grant will provide funding for the construction and support of the student theatrical exhibit as well as expenses for the students’ participation in the 2023 Prague Quadrennial Festival of Performance Space and Design (PQ23).

The Tobin Theatre Arts Fund supports theatre design as a distinct and worthy art form, and provides financial assistance to exceptional talent in theatre design. The Fund also aids in furthering the study of theatre design through various educational opportunities.

USITT has sponsored student exhibits at the PQ since 1991. The exhibits have been constructed at universities and the students who worked on those projects have been supported on a trip to Prague where they will serve as crew and act as security during the run of the exhibition.  The PQ23 exhibits were constructed at Florida State University. Because of the generous donation by the Tobin Theatre Arts Fund, the participation of those students will be supported.

PQ23 will take place from June 8-18, 2023.  USITT will present curated work reflecting excellence in all theatrical design disciplines by American design students and professional designers from the past four years.

The Prague Quadrennial is the pre-eminent scenographic exhibition in the world, and one of the theatre community's most important international events. In more recent times, the Quadrennial has served as a meeting point for artists from every continent, artists whose traditions and professional lives might not otherwise bring them into contact.  

By exhibiting thousands of designs from dozens of countries, and by bringing together designers, directors, and, most importantly, students, as well as the general public, there is an unprecedented exchange of ideas that goes well beyond the narrow confines of theatrical style.  Founded in 1967 as an international exhibition of theatre design staged every four year, it has become a unique platform connecting artists, institutions, professionals, researchers, students, and the general public. 

Today, PQ23 has been rebranded a festival in recognition of the need to experience design and scenography in its performative format—live and with audience engagement.

USITT thanks the Tobin Theatre Arts Fund for their generous donation and for supporting the students involved with the 2023 Prague Quadrennial.