Congratulations to all of our award winners! Our Distinguished Achievement Award winners will be honored on Thursday, March 19, at our Awards, Awards, Awards ceremony in Long Beach as part of our Annual Conference & Stage Expo.

Distinguished Achievement Awards (DAA)

The Distinguished Achievement Awards honor individuals who have established meritorious career records in specific fields of expertise in any area of design or technology in the performing arts or entertainment industry. Each will be a featured part of the Conference in a special session presented by one of the Commissions.

Areas of achievement include, but are not limited to disciplines represented by the Commissions of USITT, scenic design, lighting design, sound design, technical direction, costume design & technology, theatre architecture, theatrical consulting, production management, stage or arts management, entertainment technology, education, or a convergence of these disciplines.

Len Auerbach

Distinguished Achievement in Architecture

Len celebrates over 50 years of professional experience and international expertise in theatre consulting, AV and architectural lighting design. His approach to consulting combined his background in architecture with his scenic and theatrical lighting design experience gained in New York and at leading regional theatres.

Len earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Drama from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), specializing in Scenic & Lighting Design and Theatre Architecture,

In 1968, he left his position as resident lighting designer at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis and joined the acoustical and theatrical consulting firm of Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (BBN).

In 1972, he formed the consulting firm of Piacentini/Auerbach that ultimately became Auerbach Pollock Friedlander – Auerbach Glasow, now Apeiro Design.

During his consulting practice, Len has designed hundreds of venues worldwide, working with high profile architects and clients, often developing the next technological standard for the industry. His spirit of collaboration and ingenuity has always been the foundation of his work and inspiration.

Len has been actively involved in numerous professional organizations, including USITT and OISTAT, and was a founding member of the American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC). He is particularly proud of his development of and long-standing involvement with the Theatre Architecture Studio at Carnegie Mellon University.

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Ruth Carter

Distinguished Achievement Award in Costume Design & Technology

Ruth E. Carter is a trailblazing, two-time Academy Award-winning American film costume designer, celebrated for her work in bringing to life the vibrant and culturally rich costumes of “Black Panther." Carter made history as the first Black person to win the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, securing Marvel Studios' first Oscar in the process. She repeated this groundbreaking success with “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” becoming the first Black woman to win multiple Academy Awards in any category and the first costume designer to win for both a film and its sequel.

Carter's costumes for “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” are a tribute to the people of Africa, blending traditional and contemporary elements with modern technology. She skillfully created Afrofuturistic designs that honor ancient cultures, empower the female form, and provide unparalleled representation on screen. In “Wakanda Forever,” she expanded her innovative designs, introducing new superhero costumes and the underwater world of Talokan. Tasked with creating hundreds of costumes, Carter crafted visually stunning pieces inspired by both Wakandan culture and post-classic Mesoamerican Maya culture, merging history with imagination.

With over three decades of experience and more than seventy credits in film, television, and theater, Carter has worked with directors such as Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, Ava DuVernay, and Ryan Coogler. Her designs span iconic films like “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “Amistad,” “Selma,” “Dolemite Is My Name,” “Coming 2 America,” and the “Black Panther” franchise. Through her meticulous costume design, Carter enriches narratives, especially those centered on African American experiences, solidifying her as a preeminent voice in period genres and Afro aesthetics.

Her career achievements include Academy Award nominations for “Malcolm X” (1993) and “Amistad” (1998), as well as an Emmy nomination for the miniseries reboot of “Roots” (2016). In 2019, she was honored with the Costume Designers Guild’s Career Achievement Award and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2021. A member of the Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Carter represents the Costume Designers Branch, championing diversity in storytelling.

Most recently, Carter’s work shines in the box-office hit “Sinners,” where she elevated the film’s narrative through bold, symbolic costuming—most memorably in its iconic dance sequence—demonstrating her unmatched ability to fuse story, movement, and design into cultural spectacle. She continues to expand her influence beyond film, designing Teyana Taylor’s unforgettable Black Dandy look for the 2025 Met Gala and producing a major project on legendary couture designer Ann Lowe in partnership with Serena Williams’ production company—spotlighting the legacy of a fashion pioneer long overlooked in history.

Carter's impact in costume design extends beyond the screen and are celebrated in her traveling exhibition “Afrofuturism in Costume Design,” and her book “The Art of Ruth E. Carter,” released in May 2023. The exhibit showcases over 70 costumes from Carter’s illustrious filmmaking career, infused with artistry, offering an intimate glimpse into her creative process and the iconic designs she’s brought to life on screen. The exhibition has been in residence in nine cities and will be traveling from the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Indiana to the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Carter is beloved in her hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts, where a mural of her life and career is displayed at Rebecca Johnson Elementary School. She was awarded the key to the city in 2021 for her achievements and service. Ruth Carter is a proud graduate of Hampton University, Virginia (HBCU), and has earned honorary doctorates from Hampton, Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts, and Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Ruth E. Carter’s contributions to costume design are a national treasure, preserving history, celebrating identity, and reimagining the future of Black culture on screen.

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Mary Louise (M.L.) Geiger

Distinguished Achievement in Education

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Mary Louise Geiger is an Arts Professor, head of the Lighting Area, and the Associate Chair of the Department of Design for Stage & Film in NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she’s taught since 2001. Before joining the Tisch faculty, she was a tenured professor of lighting design at the University of Washington. She graduated from Tufts University with a B.A. in Theater and History and received her M.F.A. in design from the Yale School of Drama.

M.L. has a rich career as a lighting designer as well, designing for theater, dance and opera. Highlights include: The Constant Wife on Broadway for the Roundabout Theater, Mabou Mines’ production of mabou mines dollhouse in New York and around the world, Halfway Bitches go Straight to Heaven for the Atlantic Theatre, and a long collaboration with choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. Her most recent project is Hartford Stage’s production of Rope this fall. Recent work in NYC includes How is it That We Live or Shakey Jake and Alice and the upcoming Midwest Porn for the Tent Theatre, and Zach, Partnership, and Becomes a Woman for the Mint Theatre. This past spring she designed the lighting for The Nacirima Society... for the Guthrie Theatre. In the summer she designed Side Effects May Include and Did my Grandfather Kill My Other Grandfather for the Contemporary American Theatre Festival in West Virginia. Her production of Sleeping Beauty with Christopher Wheeldon was revived at the Royal Danish Ballet in 2025. Christopher Wheeldon’s ballet, From You Within Me for New York City Ballet, was part of their 2025 Winter Season. She has designed the light for many productions at many regional theatres throughout the country.

"I'd like to thank my mother both for introducing me to the theatre at 7 and always encouraging me to do what I wanted to do regardless of the fact that it would be hard. Jennifer TIpton for being a wonderful teacher and mentor. Susan Hilferty for hiring both me and Allen when she was initially looking for 1 person. My colleagues Allen, Robert and Justin who make coming to work joyful. And all of our students past and present for teaching us as well.

I am so honored and humbled to be recognized for my teaching. It has been, and remains, a great privilege to work with my colleagues in the lighting area - Allen Lee Hughes and Robert Wierzel - and now including Justin Townsend  - to shape a curriculum and ethos that communicates the ideas of openness , rigor and collaboration to our students. It is thrilling to be recognized for our work together - and this award is absolutely shared with them. And we have had a lot of fun as well. We do produce plays, after all."

Website

Instagram: @marylouisegeiger

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Edward (Ed) E. Haynes Jr.

Distinguished Achievement in Scene Design & Technology

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Edward E. Haynes Jr., began his career as Resident Scenic Designer for Center Theatre Groupfor 18 years before venturing into the broader Design world of Event, Hospitality, Retail, andExperiential Marketing. His work has been seen in such far-flung places as London, England, and Paris, France & Bozeman, Montana. Ed’s television credits include MTV’s Spring Break 2012 and 2011, Hip Hop Harry, The Tony Rock Project, and Culture Clash.

Back in the theatre, Ed has worked with Off Broadway theatres such as 777Theatre and TheActing Co. His gypsy tendencies have led him to projects at The Muny Opera, Arizona Theatre Co., Pasadena Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, Geffen Playhouse, The Guthrie Theatre, Kansas City Rep, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ebony Repertory Theatre Co., South Coast Rep, Kirk Douglas Theatre, Berkeley Rep, East West Players, Hollywood Bowl, Marin Theatre Co., TheatreWorks, Intiman Theatre, Trinity Rep, Pittsburg City Theater, Alley Theatre, Alliance Theatre, and to universities like Cal State LA, Rollins College, UCONN, UC Santa Cruz, and USC.

Ed has enjoyed working with many gutsy artists, but before anyone knew him: his father, the late Edward E Haynes Sr, interior designer, inspired him to explore a career path in design. The Black theatre’s iconoclastic Nick Stewart at the Ebony Showcase gave him his first professional theatre job. The quixotic Jerry Rojo introduced him to the art of environmental theatre. And the no BS Bobby Routolo schooled him in what the business was really like.

Ed received his training at Cal State LA, USC, and UCONN.In his off time, Ed enjoys a quiet home life with his wife Elizabeth, sons Denis and Wesly, and is theBBQ grill master to a much larger extended family.

Website

Instagram: @ehpd

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Sooner Routhier

Distinguished Achievement in Lighting Design and Technology

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Sooner Rae Routhier is a 2X Parnelli, Live Design Achievement, Live Production Summit Pinnacle, and multi Top Dog award winning Designer. Her work has been viewed by millions all around the world and has appeared on major screens such as Jimmy Fallon, The AMA’s, Saturday Night Live, The Voice and The Billboard Music Awards. She has developed, produced and helped create some of entertainment's most recognizable performance moments for some of today's most celebrated headlining artists including, Coldplay, Panic at the Disco, Paramore, The Weeknd, KISS, Imagine Dragons, The Lumineers, Megan Thee Stallion, Jennie Kim, Chris Stapleton, Halsey, Motley Crue, Mary J Blige, Muse, Green Day and Daddy Yankee.

Sooner’s story began in 1999 where she worked as a lighting technician and lighting director for Rainbow Concert Productions while attending Emerson College in Boston. She launched her career as a Lighting Designer for the rock band Chevelle and In 2007 Sooner teamed up with legendary production manager Robert Long to form SRae Productions. While growing SRae Productions, Sooner was also able to cultivate new creative talent that emulated the team’s strong creative visions. Sooner and the SRae team joined forces with World-Renowned Composer Ramin Djawadi and together in a Live Nation / HBO partnership brought the world of Westeros to life and launched the "Game of Thrones – Live Concert Experience."

Routhier’s newest venture, The Playground, launched in 2022 and her work has continued with projects including Lighting Design for Coldplay’s Music Of the Spheres World Tour and Wang Feng’s Unfollow Tour. She has also created full show design for Panic at the Disco’s Viva Las Vengeance Tour, Kelsea Ballerini, Evanescence, Disturbed, Noah Kahan, Matchbox Twenty and The Lumineers and lighting design for The Opening Ceremonies for FIFA Club World Cup.

"I'd like to thank my parents for allowing me to go be a roadie. My husband for always being so unbelievably supportive, understanding and holding down the fort at the house every time I leave for another show. My team at The Playground for allowing me to be an absolute crazy person and still supporting me on the daily. My homies collaborators at The Playground that continue to push the boundaries on every production we produce and also allowing me to be an absolute crazy person and supporting me on the daily! AND - my EVEN family for their constant work and dedication to the non profit. It really can be an uphill battle sometimes. In the end, we are creating change in our business and I could not be more proud of us.

It is an incredible honor to be recognized by a such a distinguished organization that has been around for decades. I began my career in theater and moved quickly into the world of music and touring live entertainment. Theater runs deep in my roots. It was my foundation and the medium continues to be a major source of inspiration in all of my work. Receiving this award means the world to me and I could not be more excited for the conference."

Website

Instagram: @soonerrouthier

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Jay Sheehan

Distinguished Achievement in Management

Jay Sheehan has been overseeing the production management and stage management areas for the School of Theatre, Television and Film at San Diego State University since 2001.  He also created and currently oversees the Certificate in Entertainment Management Program for the School. In addition to creating and teaching the production management and stage management curriculum, Jay also created and currently teaches his course in the Rock and Roll Venue and Touring Management Industry.

A published author, Jay co-wrote the first and second editions of The Production Manager's Toolkit, the only textbook about production management in the performing arts in the United States. The Production Manager’s Toolkit has been an international best seller in the Routledge Press Toolkit series.  

Jay is a 22-year Member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology and was the recipient of the USITT Wally Russel Award for Outstanding Mentorship in 2022.

He is a 30-year member of Actors Equity Association and spent his early career at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.

Jay has also held positions including Director of Production and Operations for the San Diego Symphony and for House of Blues Concerts, where he over saw all operational aspects of the 20,000-seat Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, California.

Jay currently serves as the Director of Concert Operations for the Richter Entertainment Group, who promote national headline artists at venues throughout the United States. He is also the owner of his own production company, Cue One Productions, whose event list includes the NFL Super Bowl, and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game Special Events. He also produces many charity galas and corporate events across the United States.

"Service to others is a transformative experience and  I have been given amazing opportunities to be able to affect and mentor others on this journey. Being recognized here by my peers is proof that relationships matter. I share this recognition with all of the students, mentors, colleagues and professional clients that have been a part of my world. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come?"