Photo credit: Jay Zawacki
I am a multimedia artist and designer with both an MFA (lighting design) and a BFA (theatre design with a concentration in lighting) from Boston University. I specialize in theatre design, storytelling, world-building, content creation, mixed-media installation, and business management. I am a driven, organized, and creative professional with
both in-person and remote-work collaboration and project management experience. Through my artistic practice, I explore natural themes such as sustainability, wildlife conservation, and the preservation of our natural spaces. I also tell stories about humanity and contemporary social issues.
I design, sculpt, weld, photograph, and project manage, among other things. I enjoy mixed media work because it allows me to start with the story, rather than with the materials, so that I can make choices informed by the story.
Outside of my art career, I am an avid gardener. My great grandmother was truly talented in the garden, and I hope to follow in her footsteps. I enjoy visiting coastal towns at the end of winter, when the beaches are windy and open for exploration. I love spending time with my Australian Shepherd, Bear, and with my husband, Jay. I am also a huge Star Trek nerd and a lover of all things science fiction. It is a genre that explores humanity and dares to ask the difficult questions. I love spending time with my family. Although we live across the country from each other, we are never out of touch.
both in-person and remote-work collaboration and project management experience. Through my artistic practice, I explore natural themes such as sustainability, wildlife conservation, and the preservation of our natural spaces. I also tell stories about humanity and contemporary social issues.
I design, sculpt, weld, photograph, and project manage, among other things. I enjoy mixed media work because it allows me to start with the story, rather than with the materials, so that I can make choices informed by the story.
Outside of my art career, I am an avid gardener. My great grandmother was truly talented in the garden, and I hope to follow in her footsteps. I enjoy visiting coastal towns at the end of winter, when the beaches are windy and open for exploration. I love spending time with my Australian Shepherd, Bear, and with my husband, Jay. I am also a huge Star Trek nerd and a lover of all things science fiction. It is a genre that explores humanity and dares to ask the difficult questions. I love spending time with my family. Although we live across the country from each other, we are never out of touch.
Resume.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Theatre Faculty, Production Manager, and Lighting Director - Worcester State University (2024-Present)
- Theatre design and production instruction
- Student designer mentorship
- Theatre lighting, set, and sound designs
- Creation and oversight of budgets, schedules (production, meeting, and space use), and apparel
- Lighting system maintenance and installation
- Student crew management
Marketing Manager - Smarter Healthcare Partners (2023)
- Re-branding and digital and print style guide creation
- Website redesign and construction
- Social media management and graphic design
- Digital animation and digital asset library creation
- Photography and photo editing
Co-founder/Co-owner and Brand Manager - Science Division LLC (2019-2023)
- Star Trek™ product creation and licensing
- App design using official CBS style guide
- Digital and print design: images, videos, apparel, newsletters, social media, trade show materials
- E-commerce website construction and maintenance
- Brand and communication management
- Online event planning and hosting to promote social connection during the pandemic
Project Manager - Event Illuminations (2015-2023)
- Management of live event lighting crews
- Collaboration with clients and industry professionals
- Facilitation of cohesive designs and executions
- Time and deadline management
OTHER SELECTED WORK EXPERIENCE:
Theatre Designer and Technical Director
Boston University Academy (2011-Present)
Technical Director and Adjunct Faculty
Worcester State University (2023-2024)
Theatre Designer and Project Manager
Freelance in the Greater Boston Area (2011-Present)
Lighting Designer and Lighting Director
Boston University Academy (2011-Present)
Technical Director and Adjunct Faculty
Worcester State University (2023-2024)
Theatre Designer and Project Manager
Freelance in the Greater Boston Area (2011-Present)
Lighting Designer and Lighting Director
- American College Dance Festival Association New England Regional Conference (2014 and 2018)
- Boston Theatre Marathon XVII (2015)
ART INSTALLATION SELECTED WORKS:
|
Panthera tigris (2021) - Boston, MA
An immersive multimedia experience using repurposed materials to explore the impact of cohesive storytelling as a motivator for sustainable change. |
Between the Crimes (2014) - Boston, MA
An installation featuring sculptures of Boston landmarks crafted from recycled positive Boston Glob articles to explore the lens through which we view the world. |
Light Conversations (2014) - Boston, MA
A gallery of mixed-media pieces combining light as an artistic medium with sculpture, photography, and painting to inspire conversations about current social issues. |
ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS:
OTHER CREATIVE SKILLS:
- Adobe, Microsoft Office and Google Suites
- WordPress and HTML/CSS
- Website Design and Maintenance
- Copy Writing and Content Creation
- Virtual and Live Event Planning
- Project Coordination and Management
- Business Operations and Logistics
OTHER CREATIVE SKILLS:
- Graphic Design, Photography, and Video Editing
- Lighting, Projection, Scenic, and Sound Design
- Storytelling and Dramaturgy
- Theatre and Arts Education
- Vectorworks, Lightwright, and Augment3d Virtual Rendering
- WATCHOUT and QLab
- GMAW Welding
EDUCATION:
MFA in Lighting Design - Boston University - Boston, MA
BFA in Theatre Design with a Lighting Concentration - Boston University - Boston, MA (Summa Cum Laude)
MFA in Lighting Design - Boston University - Boston, MA
BFA in Theatre Design with a Lighting Concentration - Boston University - Boston, MA (Summa Cum Laude)
AWARDS AND GRANTS:
Boston University Arts Initiative Graduate Art Research Grant 2020 - Awarded for Panthera tigris by the Boston University Provost’s Arts Council Committee. Criteria for graduate arts research funding include potential impact and project feasibility.
Esther B. and Albert S. Khan Career Entry Award 2014 - Based on “artistic talent and personal statements about their role as an artist in society, their concern for social issues, and their vision for how they will use the award to help launch their career.”
Mass Cultural Council FY21 and FY22 Cultural Sector Recovery Grant for Creative Individuals
Boston University Arts Initiative Graduate Art Research Grant 2020 - Awarded for Panthera tigris by the Boston University Provost’s Arts Council Committee. Criteria for graduate arts research funding include potential impact and project feasibility.
Esther B. and Albert S. Khan Career Entry Award 2014 - Based on “artistic talent and personal statements about their role as an artist in society, their concern for social issues, and their vision for how they will use the award to help launch their career.”
Mass Cultural Council FY21 and FY22 Cultural Sector Recovery Grant for Creative Individuals
Lighting design.
My lighting design portfolio and resume are available at KayleighaDesign.com. Clicking the button below will open my lighting design website in a new tab.