​Student scenic and properties designer Tess Rosen has been selected as USITT's inaugural USITT25 poster contest winner! In the fall of 2024, USITT called on Members to create a limited edition collectible poster for attendees to purchase at the USITT25 Bookstore to commemorate the Annual Conference & Stage Expo. After receiving a flurry of detailed submissions paying homage to USITT25's host city of Columbus, OH, Tess's design stood out with a live entertainment twist.

"I think one of the most unique aspects of Columbus and of Ohio as a whole is its unique flag," Tess said. "Obviously, by being the flag of the state it is symbolic of Ohio, but more than that, the unique shape makes it singularly recognizable among the other state flags and made it perfect as inspiration for my design."

Designers were given mostly free rein with a handful of parameters, like the inclusion of elements of Columbus, USITT's tagline Powering Live Entertainment, and their signature curtain red.

"The Columbus flag made me think of a stage or set, and I challenged myself to imagine the 'behind the scenes' of whatever show would take place on the set," Tess said. "As I went through, I tried to include nods to every part of a production, including stage management, costumes, lighting, sound, and technical direction. I even drafted the line art!"

In addition to a USITT prize package, Tess chose the Sherry Wagner-Henry Leadership Development Initiative to receive a portion of the proceeds from each poster sale.

"We wanted to provide Members the opportunity to create something new and different as a Conference collectible with the bonus of a philanthropic edge," said USITT's Engagement Marketing Manager, Jenn Shuron. "Highlighting the work and talents of our Members is at the forefront of what we do at USITT. This contest was a true testament to the incredible skill of our Members at every level of our industry. Tess's thoughtful design puts an exciting, theatrical spin on the otherwise basic idea of a poster contest. She took the concept and made it not only unique to Columbus but unique to her vision of the industry."

Tess is a current junior at Oklahoma City University, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Production with an emphasis on scenic and properties design. Her most recent credits include scenic and projection designing OCU's Production of Legacy of Light, for which she earned a Certificate of Merit from KCACTF for both disciplines, as well as scenic designing OCU's production of King Lear. Beyond productions, she is also the current President of OCU's chapter of USITT and the supervisor and student professional of the prop shop on campus. She looks forward to a long and exciting future with USITT and the industry.

"I'd love to thank my mentors, Larry Heyman and Jason Foreman, for continuously giving me the opportunities to learn and grow," Tess said. "I'd also like to thank my family for being supportive of everything I do."

Tess's design can be seen and purchased at the USITT25 Bookstore on the Expo floor beginning Wednesday, March 5 at 9 a.m. If you would like to make an additional donation directly to the Sherry Wagner-Henry Leadership Development Initiative, a QR code will be present on-site to do so. This poster design is unique to USITT25 and only a limited number of copies have been printed.

We'd like to thank all those who submitted designs for the inaugural USITT25 poster design contest!

USITT25 Bookstore Hours

Wednesday, March 5: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, March 6: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, March 7: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 8: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Follow Tess's Work

Tess's Website

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