PROJECT SHOWCASE
Some of What I’ve Done
OSF, DESTINY OF DESIRE. WOOD, STEEL AND MASONITE, DESIGNED BY FRANCOIS-PIERRE COUTURE.
This break away fore stage was designed to look s if a piano had fallen through a stage floor. The breaks had to look realistic and maintain structural integrity through a full OSF season of rep.
PERSONAL PROJECT. MASKS, BUILT USING UPCYCLED CARDBOARD, PLASTIC BAGS AND CLOTHING.
The base of these mask are assembled from recycled cardboard using a pattern from Wintercrofft.com. In an effort to soften the geometric shapes that the mask designer uses, I added plastic bags in a pattern inspired by anatomical research. Using heat to manipulate the texture of the plastic I came up with my final form. Some of the masks stayed in their original, fleshy form and some received an application of fur that had been part of a dance recital costume in its first life.
OSF, A WINTER’S TALE. STEEL, FOAM AND BURLAP. DESIGNED BY RICHARD HAYE.
I built the steel shape of the trees directly on top of a full scale printout. From there I adhered bead foam and shaped the outline. Using burlap soaked in a flex glue mixture, I wrapped the bark. I had the joy of working directly with Richard Haye in the placement of the foliage.
OSF, JULIUS CEASAR. P.E.T. PLASTIC, CARDBOARD AND STEEL WALL. DESIGNED BY SYBEL WICKERSHEIMER.
Creating walls that fall apart; a physical representation of a crumbling civilization. The materials we used for the walls in this production were fabricated specifically for our scene shop. Light in weight due to its cardboard core, it was ideal for the rep. The plastic outer layer was a fun challenge to work with. I would create the breaks and then we would enforce the shape using a combination of steal and expanding foam.
OSF, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER. HEMP, FLEX GLUE AND WOOD. DESIGNED BY REGINA GARCIA.
As with most of my work for OSF, the rigor of the rep was the most challenging part of figuring out this project. All of the rope work had to have a point at which it could break apart at a seam to allow for it’s storage in the scene dock. All of the knots are fabricated and the break points are created with hidden high strength magnets.
PERSONAL PROJECT. RESIN, BUTTONS AND REUSED COMPACT DISK.
Fiberglass resin is one of my favorite material to use to expand the possibilities inherent in reused materials. It acts as an adhesive for a huge variety of materials, allowing them to mesh into a cohesive finished work. It allows for the addition of color and small details that finish an otherwise incomplete piece.
OSF, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, OPERA NETTING, COTTEN ROPE AND FLEX GLUE. DESIGNED BY TODD ROSENTHAL.
There were a number of challenge with this project. The search for fire resistant and affordable flowers lead to a delayed timeline. This necessitated use of a large contingent of volunteer labor. In order to maintain the designed vision of the floral schematic, I had to come up with a method of construction that was fast, durable and easily followed by any person willing to join the project. Add to that the impact that the rep puts on scenery and the fact that a huge swath of floral netting was deployed to the floor as part of the show. It made the project one of the favorites of my career.
OSF, PERICLES. CLOUDS BUILT FROM STEEL ROD AND WINDOW SCREEN. DESIGNED BY JAN CHAMBERS.
To create a permanent installation on a project like this would be difficul in and of itself. To make these with rep breaks and to create a storage system for them while they were off stage added another layer of complexity. To give the clouds dimension, I used a combination of strong thread, hot glue, flex glue and staples. The window screen held some shape, informing the ultimate outcome of the project. The whole of it was stabilized with a steel rod frame.
JUST YESTERDAY: MARKET OF CHOICE, MEDFORD
Shape, color, texture AND flavor! An new experience, going home covered in things meant to be ingested. I was fortunate during the pandemic to find a job that feeds my creative spirit. Redefining the nature of creativity for my self was accompanied by the challenge of learning a whole new skill set. I have the best teachers and have learned about a whole new community that I had never spent significant time with, even having lived in the valley for over 20 years.
For more information on my current projects, check out my blog. (Coming soon)
"If you want something you've never had, you must be willing to do something you've never done"
Thomas Jefferson
EXPERIENCE
Work History
CARPENTER AND MASTER CARPENTER, OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
October 2001-March 2020
As a member of the OSF artistic staff, I was given access to an amazing array of tools and materials that we used to create the environments supporting the actors and directors in the presentation of 11 productions in three theaters each season. It was my personal responsibility to oversee scenic quality, and help facilitate interdepartmental communication regarding project interface and production deadlines. I was fortunate to work directly with our designers in the creation of unique and challenging scenic elements, often using unusual materials.
BARISTA AND RETAIL BAKERY MANAGER, MARKET OF CHOICE, MEDFORD
Working through pandemic, I was given an opportunity to create with and facilitate for a team of individuals in the bakery of a beautiful grocery store, newly opened in Medford, Oregon. I worked to learn an entirely new side of creativity. Food as a medium, bringing comfort and joy, was a delightful new art form that I had never seen as a part of my personal path.
January 2021- Present
SKILLS
WOODWORKING
I a comfortable with hand and power tools and consider myself skilled in the creation of both large and small wood based artistic elements.
TEXTILES
Sewing, screen printing and upholstery are just a few of the more common applications of my knowledge of fabrics
COMPUTER COMPETENCY
I am comfortable with a number of digital editing programs, though my primary program is Adobe Photoshop. I have experience with excell, word, and a few different team communication apps.
FOAM, FIBERGLASS, METAL, PLASTIC AND MORE
I am skilled in metal working, carving and working with fiberglas. Plastics are a passion. I embrace the challenge of finding applications for materials that are outside of their intended purpose.
ACADEMICS
Learning and Living
BA, ENGLISH LITERATURE, FORDHAM UNIVERSITY, NY, NY
The BA degree from Fordham university provided a strong and diverse academic groundwork that supported a specialization in literary interpretation and creative writing.
September 1987- June 1992