Bobbi Owen

Your earliest memories of the institute…as in how far back do you go?

I wrote some of the citations for the Purple Hearts that were awarded at the (last) conference held in New York City in 1985.  I had been aware prior to that but this was my first involvement.  My first participation participating in a panel of talks (thanks to Sylvia Hillyard  Pannell) was in Long Beach in 1998.

Does anything stand out as your favorite USITT memory?

Too many.  I loved hearing Tony Walton say (in Long Beach) as keynote that he sailed to the US his first time on the Queen Mary - and was staying on it that week!  I am a big fan of David Rodger and Deborah Hazlett and have been blessed to work closely with them on lots of projects including 24 issues of TD&T!

 

Short list of your career highlights

Seven books and hundreds of articles about theatrical designers; hundreds of costume designer credits; thousands of students - the reason for it all.

Short list of your various involvement in the institute

Vice-president for Communication 2002-2010, Fellow of the Institute 2008,  active with the publications committee Golden Pen book award selection process, Herb Greggs Award, and helped coordinate the 50th celebration in Kansas City.

Anything you want to say about being a fellow?

Big thrill and still a surprise.  Are you sure it wasn't a mistake???

List of your publications (if any)

Editor, Late & Great:  American Designers 1960-2010.  New York:  USITT in cooperation with Broadway Press, March 2010.  P. 1-300.
Co-author, Design USA (Prague Quadrennial exhibition catalog).  New York:  USITT in cooperation with Broadway Press, 2007.  P. 1-120. With Jody Blake, P. 6-23.
Author, The Designs of Willa Kim.  New York:  USITT in cooperation with Broadway Press,2005.  P. 1-112.
Author, Broadway Design Roster, Designers and Their Credits.  Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, Inc., 2003. P. 1-712.
Author, Scenic Design on Broadway, Designers and Their Credits: 1915-1990. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1991.  P. 1-286.
Author, Lighting Design on Broadway, Designers and Their Credits: 1915-1990. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1991.  P. 1-159.
Author, Costume Design on Broadway:  Designers and Their Credits, 1915-1985. Westport,CT:  Greenwood Press, 1987.  P. 1-254.