Production & Design Studio Alumni

Since Graduating

Since graduation I have been primarily working in the museum and theme park industry. I have designed the lighting for, and opened, a number of projects both domestically and worldwide! Currently, I am the Director of Design and a partner at Luna Lux.  

Favorite Memory

In our first year John Dunkle had us do a lighting design to a song of our choice. It was so much fun and I remember working very hard on it. Thinking back I am still really proud of the work I did. 

Website: lunalux.us

Since Graduating

I’ve been working as an architectural lighting designer at Focus Lighting - I’m a principal designer there overseeing the work of multiple design studios. I’ve collaborated with so many interesting and creative people and designed amazing projects all over the world. (Highlights include the Times Square NYE Ball, Tavern on the Green, Ocean Wonders Shark Exhibit at the NY Aquarium, and Hard Rock Casinos in Hollywood, FL & Las Vegas, among many many others). I am currently working in Harlem and living in a cute house in Scarsdale with my 4 fun and beautiful kids (ranging in age from 14 to 7) where I get to spend my free time working in the flower and vegetable gardens. In some exciting news, I am planning a spring 2025 wedding with my fellow tech track classmate, Ben Heller. It only took us 25 years of friendship and a few years of dating to realize that we were meant to be together.  

Favorite Memory

One of my favorite memories was Van Santvoort’s Scenic painting class - it was great how we all spread out in the scene shop and recreated our favorite album covers on huge pieces of homasote.  It was such a fun time!  And the fully sod set that Katija designed in the Burrows theatre - I can’t exactly remember the show but that set was incredible - I loved walking into the theatre and smelling earth. 

Website: www.focuslighting.com

Since Graduating

Production and Lighting Design, Programming and now Creative Producing for concert tours, live television and special events working for artists such as Adele, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake. 

Favorite Memory

Spending time in the electrics department closet / office, locking up the 486 computer stations, and the many hours spent in small dark rooms!

Website: www.silent-house.com

Since Graduating

Some highlights include: developing new musicals (including several that went on to Broadway and long lives), 3 years at Barrington Stage, many years as an assistant in NYC, and 7 years at La Jolla Playhouse, working at Disney as an Executive Creative Director, then Airbnb as the head of experiences, then back to Disney to take on the role of Head the Entertainment at Disneyland Paris. Living in Paris is a dream and I love this team. Somewhere in there, I got married to a really lovely man and had three fabulous kids. 

Favorite Memory

I did love the vibe on the third floor. It felt like something creative was always happening - in a supportive and loving environment.

Since Graduating

Joined USA 829 this year! Mostly designing and ALDing, ALD'd on my first opera in February. Looking forward to teaching at Tisch Summer High School again this summer. 

Website: http://elizabethmstewart.myportfolio.com/

Since Graduating

I'm currently the Executive Director at Quintessence Theatre Group in Philadelphia. We produce classic theatre for contemporary artists, and we bought our building this summer! I held similar roles at two other area theatres before this (Managing Director at People's Light and General Manager at Pig Iron Theatre Co). While still in the NYC area I worked in commercial theatre as an Associate General Manager for Brierpatch Productions and as a Company Manager through several GM offices. Matthew Ezold (Tech Track 01 in Sound Design) and I moved back to the Philadelphia suburbs, where we both grew up, in 2013. We have two boys: Calvin (12) and Wesley (9). 

Favorite Memory

So many good memories of my Tech Track time! A favorite is stage managing a Playwrights show junior year, directed by Donya K. Washington. She remains one of my best friends :)

Since Graduating

I've been doing off broadway and regional work, design for various universities around the city and for NYU, costume shop supervising at Fordham and summer stock theaters, and educational theatre at high schools in the city. For fun I have an Etsy shop where I sell embroidered products and decorations, and I've been making a lot of my own clothes when the time allows for it. 

Favorite Memory

You can absorb so much from your peers! I learned so much from my classmates, not just fellow costume focuses but designers and stage managers from all different years and strengths. I was taught that you never stop learning, and that's something I carry to this day.

Website: www.gaaengracejeon.com/

Since Graduating

Since graduation, has been stage managing Broadway and off-Broadway. Currently at CHICAGO, recently LEMPICKA and before that FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Papermill Playhouse and FUNNY GIRL on Broadway. Outside of work, I got married in May 2023 and we adopted the cutest pup, Hudson, during the pandemic.

Since Graduating

I am a Professor of Theatre and Cinema Arts at Folsom Lake College. I also serve as the department chair. I also am a lecturer at UC Davis. I design scenic and projections regionally. Such as recently at Broadway Sacramento and Pittsburg Opera. 

Favorite Memory

Some of my favorite memories are staying up late into the night working on assignments in the studio with all my fellow tech track students around me. =) 

Website: https://www.ianbwallace.net/

Since Graduating

I'm now a Casting Director for Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, and London Theatre

Since Graduating

Senior Manager of  Communications at Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Still drawing, painting and crafting for myself.

Favorite Memory

Late night project sessions to finish drafting, painting or whatever with the rest of my year. Crammed into studio 6 with a table of snacks to share, music going. Just being together and seeing how differently we all tackled each problem.

Since Graduating 

I spent a couple years working for local government in California (Parks & Rec, Elections) before transitioning to the mental health field and working as a psychology technician and research coordinator with the Veterans Health Administration. In fall 2024, I entered the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Washington State University where I study stigma barriers to receiving mental health care. In California and now Washington state, I continue to support and work on local theater productions in my free time. 

Since Graduating

I’ve been a NICU nurse for 16 years now and have actually taken care of several Tisch design alums’ babies! I moved to LA a couple years ago and really love gardening and making pottery. 

Favorite Memory

Posing in Washington Square park in our cheesemaker smocks for Kitty’s class.

Website: www.etsy.com/shop/HaertPottery

Since Graduating

Shifted to Architectural Lighting for a bit, then graphic design for 20 years. During my mid-life crisis, I realized I was done with being a 'specialist' designer, so I moved on to research and experience strategy with a small consulting firm. For the last year and a half, I've combined my love of being a generalist, my Type A personality (for real!), and systems and processes into a Design Operations role for a SAAS org. I have lived in Vermont since 2012 with my partner and our two dogs, spending as much time as possible outdoors. 

Favorite Memory

Lots of growing and learning in year one...my LORD. The late nights and the bonds we created, hanging from the grid and moving the ladder with my legs, drinking orange juice at 10pm for the sugar high since I don't drink coffee!

Website: lucynersesian.com

Since Graduating

Started with a TD Apprenticeship at the Juilliard School, paused on work during Covid, then went to work as a Staff Carpenter at the Glimmerglass Festival.  Now I'm starting my 4th and final season with them as Head Carpenter before I head off to Yale to get my MFA in Technical Design and Production!  In between I've been spending time enjoying puzzles, video games, and knife/tool sharpening.

Favorite Memory

A big thing I learned in P&D is often the best part about your job has nothing to do with the work- it's the people around you.  Having collaborators you can trust and laugh with are what make all the difference.

Since Graduating

Since graduating, I have worked at several NYC private schools as the resident designer for productions. I also have been an adjunct professor at several NJ universities, teaching Vectorworks, Lighting Design, and Intro to Tech/LX. Covid was rough, so I shifted gears a little. I'm currently a para-professional in a K-5 school, as well as an adjunct. I am resuming my freelance design career locally, and finally am able to bring my 6 year old son with me to tech! I took full advantage of Governor Murphy's fee waiver, and got my CTE through the NJ alternate route program! I am now certified to teach Tech Theatre at the high school level! My son is about to be a kindergarten graduate! 

Favorite Memory

One memory?! CPJ, that is too hard! It has to be my professors! My first meeting with you, CPJ, I knew Tech Track was the program for me! You helped guide me and helped jumpstart my career merging tech and education! Todd Potter appreciated my love of hand-drafting! Toni challenged me and shaped how I teach about the fundamentals of design! Paul and Carlton taught me that having fun while working is just as important as getting the job done. Then, there's Lenore. Lenore recognized my talent and potential before I did, she pushed me without me realizing, she helped guide me to a fantastic internship experience (which also helped jumpstart my career), she came to so many of my shows to support me. I went from her student to assistant and never stopped learning from her. To this day, I still use her letter of recommendation to all of the jobs I apply to.

Since Graduating

I worked in TV and Print Advertising before starting Bednark Studio, a best in class technical design and fabrication company based in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. I live in south prospect park with my wife Julie and our 3 children (Katherine, Victoria and Leif)

Favorite Memory

Technical Drawing and CAD class with CPJ, Painting with Mirena, Costumes with Kitty.  Running lights and sound for Carousel with Charlie. Everything with Lex, Meg and Kelly. Scene Shop work study with Leighton, Interning at TRL with Sandra Frias or working with the 513 Design team Tom and John on several different tv shows. And how could I forget the time Ali Clark and I got caught copying the drafting final project. Thank you everyone for making undergrad such a pivotal place to start my life/career in New York City. 

Website: www.bednark.com

Email:michael@bednarkinc.com

Since Graduating

Work! Blech! Cabaret, Boop and a new Feature Film.

Favorite Memory/Advice

Even though everyone hangs out in the room with no windows, you don’t have to.

Since Graduating

I have a daughter who's now 11! I've been running my own business since 2001. First as a design firm and now as a creative consultancy that I've co-run with my sister since 2015. Lately I've been focusing more on work as a fine artist and I'm always working in the background on my long-running performance art project/collaborative science fiction universe: League of Space Pirates. 

Favorite Memory

I still say "Contrast equals interest" on a regular basis, something that Richard Chambers told us in our freshman year! Also drawing donuts in section and plan views with Chris (on paper, no CAD for us!).  And listening to Flood by They Might Be Giants on repeat in the classroom because it was the only album we all could agree on. 

Website: https://noahscalin.com

Since Graduating

I earned an apprenticeship at Steppenwolf Theatre and worked there and at Lookingglass Theatre in various roles. Then I transitioned into software development. Now I am doing chronic illness advocacy work and developing a podcast about my dad’s story as a champion tennis player in the Philippines.

Favorite Memory

Hard to choose! Late nights with good friends working on projects and getting a little loopy together. Refueling trips to Delion (RIP.)

Since Graduating

I’m married with a toddler and a baby. My design work has taken me all over the world, though I’m trying to travel less these days with a young family at home. Professional highlights include shows at Radio City Music Hall, MSG, Met Opera, Hollywood Bowl, The Superdome, and the White House. 

Favorite Memory

The Lego booth at the Toy Fair helped me understand how all the world is a stage and we can craft the story to tell within it. This taught me the process. The lighting design class where we listened to a piece of music and raised our hand every time we thought there should be a lighting cue. 

Website: www.rbbdigital.com

Since Graduating

Tyler is the Producing Director of Theatre at The Carnegie, dubbed “Favorite Local Theatre” in 2023 by the BroadwayWorld Cincinnati Awards. Previously, he was the Patron Experience Manager for The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, the Patron Communications Manager for the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, the Events and Publicity Manager for the School of the Arts at Northern Kentucky University, and Vice President of the League of Cincinnati Theaters. Tyler has worked as a designer for theatres in New York City and Los Angeles and over a dozen venues in Kentucky and Ohio, including 18 shows at The Carnegie. Tyler received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He has a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Northern Kentucky University. In January 2020 he was one of 27 individuals selected from across North America to participate in the Emerging Leadership Institute of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals. He won the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Next Generation Leader Award in Arts, Entertainment, and Hospitality. He was featured in Movers & Makers 2023 list of Notables in Performing Arts. Tyler lives in Bellevue with his husband Jack and their dog Popsicle.

Favorite Memory

There are too many to count (and certainly some that are more profound) but one that echoes in my mind anytime I’m in the middle of a sewing project is a Therese-ism. It was probably a casual comment during the bag project my first year but it’s burned in my brain for all time: “When in doubt, backstitch!”

Website: tylergabbard.com