USITT Opens Nominations for 2016 Young Designers & Technicians in the Performing Arts Awards

Student and early career theatrical artists can gain recognition, cash, and a trip to USITT 2016 in Salt Lake City if chosen for one of 11 Young Designers & Technicians in the Performing Arts awards from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology.

Online nominations for the YD&T awards open Sept. 1. View categories & nominate here. Nominations close Oct. 15.

Student and early career designers can be nominated for awards in sound, scenic, lighting, costume, and makeup design and technology, stage management, and technical production. Some awards target grad students, some undergrads, some either. Most carry a $1,000 cash prize.

YD&T winners also receive free registration to USITT's 2016 Annual Conference & Stage Expo next March 16-19 in Salt Lake City, where they'll be honored and receive their awards.

These awards are made possible through generous sponsors in the performing arts and live entertainment design and technology industry. They further USITT's mission of nurturing and recognizing excellence in emerging professionals.

Any USITT member may nominate for YD&T. Nominees will be asked to submit a resume, recommendation letters, and images of their work by Nov. 15. See the individual awards for specific criteria:

Graduate Awards

• KM Fabrics, Inc. Technical Production Award
• Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award
• Zelma H. Weisfeld Costume Design & Technology Award
• Bernhard R. Works, Frederick A. Buerki Scenic Technology Award Barbara Matera Award in Costume Making sponsored by Judy Adamson USITT Lighting Design Award sponsored by Barbizon Lighting Company
• USITT Scene Design Award sponsored by Rose Brand
• USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Professional Make-Up
• USITT Stage Management Award sponsored by Clear-Com Communications Systems Undergraduate Awards
• Master Craftsmanship Award sponsored by Bernhard R. Works
• USITT Lighting Design Award sponsored by Barbizon Lighting Company
• USITT Makeup Design Award sponsored by Kryolan Professional Make-Up
• USITT Stage Management Award sponsored by Clear-Com Communications Systems
• USITT W. Oren Parker Undergraduate Scene Design Award sponsored by Stage Decoration & Supplies

USITT, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, is the national non-profit for technical theatre professionals. Its Annual Conference & Stage Expo is the industry's biggest annual event for networking, education, and displaying new technology.

For more information, visit www.usitt.org. For info on USITT's Annual Conference & Stage Expo, visit www.usittshow.org.

Pictured: 2015 USITT Makeup Design Award winner Chia Chia Feng of UNCSA receiving her award from Ulrike Bege of Kryolan, the award's sponsor, at USITT 2015 in Cincinnati. Photo by Tom Thatcher.