The Master Crafts Award celebrates an exceptional craftsperson who is graduating undergraduate student. The 2025 award will be for Lighting Technology.

This award was established in 2013 by USITT Fellow Bernhard R. Works, Ph.D, professor emeritus of design and technical production at the University of Illinois and 2011 recipient of USITT's Joel E. Rubin Founders Award and sponsor of the Frederick A. Buerki Golden Hammer Scenic Technology Award.

Winners of this award receive $1,000 and Conference registration for USITT's Annual Conference & Stage Expo. Awards are presented at USITT's Annual Conference & Stage Expo.

This award recognizes a student as a practicing theatre artisan. This award is to enhance further student training and/or development in one of four craft areas: scene painting, stage properties, costume making, and lighting technology. The award is given on an annual rotating basis.