Biografisk notat

W. Oren Parker inspired hundreds of designers over his very long and successful teaching career. His absolute love of architecture and furniture was obvious to anyone who took his History of Architecture and Decor class (affectionately known as Pots and Pans," which he no doubt thought was hilarious) if only from the sheer volume of information and detail involved. His dedication to teaching was unbeatable. Parker was born and raised in Michigan, where he met his wife, Thelma (known as Teschie). He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and his master's degree from Yale University in 1940. He joined the faculty of Yale and remained there until becoming professor of drama at Carnegie Mellon University (then Carnegie Tech) in 1963. He retired in 1976. His book, SCENIC TECHNIQUES, was the first to standardize drafting for theatre, and SCENE DESIGN AND STAGE LIGHTING, written in collaboration with Harvey Smith in 1963 and now in its ninth edition, was the definitive text for designers planning to enter the profession. Parker joined the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) in 1963 and was elected a fellow in 1986, the same year he received one of the Institute's highest honors--the USITT Award--for his work as designer, educator, and author. In 2001, the USITT created the W. Oren Parker Scene Design Award. Sponsored by Stage Decoration & Supplies, Inc., the award is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of scenic design in the performing arts while pursuing an undergraduate degree. It was the first of USITT's Awards for Young Designers & Technicians in the Performing Arts aimed at undergraduate students." R. Craig Wolf is a professional lighting designer as well as an educator. Mr. Wolf's designs have been seen nationwide, including productions for San Diego's Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Dance Theatre Workshop in New York, Virginia Shakespeare, Richmond Ballet Company, Theatre Artaud in San Francisco, and Japan America Center and Odyssey Theatre Ensemble of Los Angeles. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and is vice chair of their Publications Committee and, for five years, he was lighting commissioner. He became a lighting associate member of the United Scenic Artists Design Union in 1977. Mr. Wolf has taught at the Universities of Michigan and Virginia and is currently professor of design, MFA graduate adviser, and head of the design program in the School of Theatre, Television, and Film at San Diego State University. Dick Block has worked as a freelance scene designer and a scenic artist for more than 25 years. He has designed for AMAS, Columbia Artists, and TheatreWorks USA, all in New York, and for the Virginia Stage Company, the Weston Playhouse (Vermont), and the Human Race (Ohio). Additional regional credits include work at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Center Stage in Baltimore, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, as well as the Pittsburgh Playhouse and the Pittsburgh Public Theatre. Block is also active with United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), having served as scene design co-commissioner and on the board of directors, and with the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival both regionally and nationally, having served as the first national design chair. He is the recipient of the Kennedy Center Medallion for Distinguished Service. Block received his MFA from Northwestern University. After teaching at the University of Michigan and Cornell, he is currently the associate head of the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon.