Theater is demanding work for creatives that love nothing more. Those in the spotlight may garner most of the attention when a performance is done, but it’s the work being done you don’t see that can make the show what it is.
The Michael Merritt Awards, a national award unique in its emphasis on excellence in both design and collaboration, is presented annually to professional theatrical designers in the categories of scenic, costume, lighting, sound, and other media designs.
For our small part in the process, Flyhouse sponsors two awards for those making advances in the industry that will leave a lasting impact and we are honored to celebrate the Merritt Awards 25th year on May 14, 2018.
The Robert Christen Award for Excellence in Technical Collaboration
This award recognizes an outstanding technical professional whose career as a collaborator in the realization of theatrical design has been significant and sustained.
The recipient of this year’s award is freelance draper and owner of ThreadLine Studios and Uber Costume, Beth Draper.
The Emerging Technical Collaborator Award
This award celebrates a passionate and skillful early career professional who goes about their work in a particularly collaborative manner.
The recipient of this year’s award is Becca Venable. Becca is the assistant technical director at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the technical director for Chicago Children’s Theatre and Red Theater Chicago, and a company member with Red Theater Chicago and The Comrades.
