YD&T Awards
Awards for Young Designers & Technicians
Applications for the 2008 YD&T Awards have closed.
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
This prize is awarded 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 USITT Contributing Member 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
 |
 |
| 2008 |
Rick Miller |
| 2007 |
Jonathan Reed |
| 2006 |
Kate Wightman |
| 2005 |
Rachel Johnson |
| 2004 |
Christy E. Dilts |
| 2003 |
Michael D. Banta
Erik Viker |
| 2002 |
Joshua W. Peklo |
| 2001 |
Paul Brunner |
| 2000 |
Scott Conn |
| 1999 |
Frederick W. Ramage |
| 1998 |
Brian Stockmaster |
| 1997 |
Alys E. Holden |
| 1996 |
Elsa Padula |
| 1995 |
Erik Walstad |
Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award
This prize is awarded 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 USITT Contributing
Member 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
 |
 |
| 2008 |
Jason Knox |
| 2007 |
Dave Mickey |
| 2006 |
Peter Shiplett |
| 2005 |
Bradlee Ward |
| 2004 |
David Swenson |
| 2003 |
Cricket S. Myers |
| 2002 |
Ian Hunter |
| 2001 |
Christopher N. Plummer |
| 2000 |
Bryan Schlegel |
| 1999 |
Dominic Kramer |
| 1998 |
Andrew Dalzell |
| 1996 |
Mitchell Chapman |
USITT Lighting Design Award sponsored by Barbizon
This prize is awarded
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 USITT Contributing Member 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
 |
 |
| 2008 |
Ben Pilat |
| 2007 |
Holly Blomquist |
| 2006 |
Andrew Hungerford |
| 2005 |
Keith Kirkland |
| 2004 |
Patricia Marie Nichols |
| 2003 |
Jennifer Alexander |
| 2002 |
Camille R. Connolly |
| 2001 |
Marcus Doshi |
| 2000 |
Ann Courtney |
| 1999 |
Todd Proffitt |
| 1998 |
Kevin Shaw |
USITT Costume Design & Technology Award sponsored by Zelma H. Weisfeld
This prize is awarded 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
 |
 |
| 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 prize is awarded 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 USITT Contributing Member 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
 |
 |
| 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 prize is awarded
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
 |
 |
| 2008 |
Chris Brown |
| 2007 |
Joseph Hamlin |
| 2006 |
Daniel Lisowski |
| 2005 |
Rebecca Perrenod 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 prize is awarded 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
 |
 |
| 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 Scene Design Award sponsored by Stage Decoration & Supplies, Inc.
This prize is a warded
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
 |
 |
| 2008 |
Collin Ranney |
| 2007 |
Adam Koch |
| 2006 |
Hallie Stern |
| 2005 |
Nicholas Vaughan |
| 2004 |
Katheryn Monthei |
| 2003 |
Jeff Hinchee |
| 2002 |
Brian Koehler |
USITT Lighting
Design
Award sponsored by Stage Technology
This prize is awarded 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 USITT Contributing Member 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
 |
 |
| 2008 |
Michael Billings |
| 2007 |
John Jacobsen |
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