Scenic and Lighting Design
Travis Kerr
Scenic and Lighting Designer for Stage, Television and Film
Email: traviskerrdesign@gmail.com
Telephone: 724-331-6572
Professional Objective
To find, develop, and produce stories worth telling while building collaborative relationships that challenge and explore innovative ideas in both environmental storytelling and dramatic communication on stage, television, and film.
Educational Objective
I believe in a collaborative, holistic approach to theatre and education that can only exist in a supportive environment with professionals who demonstrate a mutual respect for each others’ talents. My philosophy includes teaching the fundamentals with a hands-on approach that exemplifies a dedication to the highest quality of work to ensure future growth and success. By providing students with a range of skill sets, we enable them to apply practical expertise in order to excel in a variety of fields. Emphasizing that the process is equally as important as the finished product forces the students to understand the entirety of a production and be able to replicate it independently. I foster leadership through teamwork and peer-to-peer learning experiences. It is my true desire to educate the growing minds of tomorrow as my mentors have for me.
Education
University of California Davis (2011-2013)
 Master of the Fine Arts in Dramatic Art
 Awarded Dramatic Art Fellowship Scholarship
 Awarded Teaching Assistant Positions
Lehigh University (2003-2007)
 Bachelor of the Arts in Theatre
 Academic and Departmental Honors
 Member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
 Student Artist Honorarium 2004-2007
Skill Sets
 Collaboration and
Communication
 Pencil Sketching
 Paint Rendering
 Storyboarding
 Model Building
 Period and Genre Research
 Photoshop
 Vectorworks
(With 3D Digital Modeling)
 Artlantis Rendering
 Traditional Pencil Drafting
 Advanced Scenic Carpentry
 Scenic Rigging
 MIG and Metalworking
 Automated Scenic Systems
 Scenic Painting
 Scenic Drop Fabrication
 Advanced Stage Electrics
 ETC Expression Lighting
Consoles
 Lightwright
 Properties Fabrication
 Production Management
 Multi-Project Balancing
Curriculum Development and Teaching Experience
UC Davis Supervising Professor – DRA 25 (Technical Aspects of Dramatic Productions) 2012-13
 Re-designed syllabus of class to focus on specific areas of technical theater and their mutual integration
 Created connected practical lab experience class (with unprecedented staff support) to include hands-on experience in each area
 Emphasized motivating students in seeing, understanding, and producing theater (in all aspects of theatrical production) to provide inspiration in choosing their individual future interests and goals
UC Davis Graduate Student Researcher – John Iacovelli (Theatre and Dance Department) 2012-13
 Researched and gathered lecture materials
 Generated and corrected quizzes, mid-term and final exams
 Managed and supervised computer lab facilities
UC Davis Teaching Assistant – DRA 30 (Theatre Laboratory) 2011-13
UC Davis Teaching Assistant – DRA 125 (Scenic Painting) 2013
UC Davis Teaching Assistant – DRA 115 (Advanced Study of Major Film Makers) 2013
UC Davis Teaching Assistant – DRA 124B (Principles of Theatrical Design: Scenery B) 2013
UC Davis Teaching Assistant – DRA 124A (Principles of Theatrical Design: Scenery A) 2013
UC Davis Guest Lecturer and Student Lab Advisor – DRA 130 (Drafting and Model Building) 2012
UC Davis Teaching Assistant – DRA 24 (Visual Aspects of Dramatic Art) 2012
UC Davis Teaching Assistant – DRA 180 (Theatre Laboratory) 2012
UC Davis Teaching Assistant – DRA 5 (Understanding Performance) 2011
UC Davis Teaching Assistant – DRA 124C (Principles of Theatrical Design: Lighting) 2011
Sierra Repertory Theater Internship Supervisor 2010-11
 Created a program that assigned interns to train and work in Construction, Painting, Props, and Costuming in addition to drawing and rendering instruction
 Some of the interns trained in this program went on to be hired Full Time by Sierra Repertory Theater Lehigh University Assistant Technical Director 2008-09
 Managed, Instructed, and Supervised 50+ Students in multiple classes, Student Artists, Work Study, and Volunteer Workers
Lehigh University Adjunct Lecturer – THTR 20 (Stage Technology and Production I) 2008-09
 Re-designed class to prioritize applicable skill sets through hands-on experience. By mid-term, first year students were producing higher quality work than current third year students
 Expanded the scope of materials and techniques demonstrated in lecture and hands-on experience
Lehigh University Adjunct Lecturer – THTR 21 (Stage Technology and Production II) 2008-09
 Developed a system to put students into leadership positions in the construction shop and in classrooms, fostering leadership, teaching, and community growth while decreasing strain on Staff and Faculty Positions
Lehigh University Adjunct Lecturer – THTR 175 (Special Projects) 2008-09
Lehigh University Lighting Lab Supervisor 2007-08
 Initiated, mentored, and supervised collaborative research projects with students, apprentices, and alumni
Courses Taught
Technical Aspects of Dramatic Productions
Technical Principles of Dramatic production emphasizing the three areas of scenic, costume and lighting studies. Subjects covered include basic tools, materials and equipment, production practices; and the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of dramatic production.
Scenic Painting
Scene painting techniques, practices and materials. Practical Lab.
Advanced Study of Major Film Makers
Analysis of the contribution of some outstanding film creators. Study of diverse aesthetic theories of the cinema and their application to selected films.
Principles of Theatrical Design: Scenery A
Scene design processes, working drawings, sketching techniques, scale models, methods and materials of scenery construction.
Principles of Theatrical Design: Scenery B
Analysis of plays in terms of scene design, elements of design, execution of designer for modern and period plays. 2
Approaches to Theatrical Design: Drafting and Model Building
Advanced scenic design study focusing on drafting and model building. Study also includes but is not limited to: research, design styles and concepts, new materials and techniques, photography, projections, computer technology, spectacle and special effects, and alternative theatre forms and genres.
Visual Aspects of Dramatic Art
Understanding and appreciation of the visual aspects of dramatic art: theatre architecture, scenery, lighting, costume, and makeup.
Theatre Laboratory
Projects in acting, production, scene design, costuming, lighting, directing, and playwriting. Participation in departmental productions.
Understanding Performance: Appreciation of Modern Theatre, Dance, Film and Performance Art
Relevance of theatre and performance to modern culture and society. Approaches to theatre/dance/media/performance art, integrated into Mondavi Centre for the Arts and Theatre and Dance Department programs.
Principles of Theatrical Design: Lighting
Theories of lighting the stage, equipment and control systems, execution of lighting plots.
Stage Technology and Production I
Scenic construction materials and techniques. Scenic staging theory, methods and practice. Production assignment in construction and/or crew. Stage Technology and Production II Theory, methods and practice for advanced or managerial assignments in construction and/or run crew.
Special Projects
Theatrical topics of current or special interest. Individual based mentored projects and studies.
Scenic Design Experience
Scenic Designer for Theater
Dogs of War
The Bacchae
The Haunt at Wright Hall
Today I Live
The Way of Water
And the Snow Fell...
The Zona Rosa Project
Dear Edwina, Jr.
Aristocats Kids
Moses and the Burning…
Gilgamesh
Independence
Theater Design Consultant
Made Up Theater owner Robert August Made Up Productions, Fremont, CA 2014
Set Designer for Film/TV (Draftsman/Storyboard Artist/Set Decorator)
Top Chef Duels
Steelers Studio
Madness: The Last 5 Minutes
Spring Waltz
Assistant Scenic Designer for Theater (Researcher/Draftsman/Model Builder)
The Twelve
Kiss Me Kate
Dorian's Descent
Six Dance Lessons...
Bravo
Fiera
Game On
Rest
God of Carnage
2013 NYU Gala
Under My Skin
The Death of the Novel
The Heiress
The Bungler
12th Night
The Boomerang Effect
Waiting for Godot
Anatol
Rosencrantz and Guild...
dir. Josy Miller
dir. Barry McGovern
dir. Josy Miller
playwr. Susan-Jane Harrison
dir. Josy Miller
dir. Ellen Bromberg
dir. Michael Barakiva
dir. Kyla Meyer
dir. Jessica Shapiro
dir. Dennis Brown
dir. Steven Dennis
dir. Hilary Kissinger
Wyatt Theater, UC Davis 2013
Main Stage, UC Davis 2012
Main Stage, UC Davis 2012
Wyatt Theater, UC Davis 2012
Black Box, UC Davis 2012
Main Stage, UC Davis 2012
Wyatt Theater, UC Davis 2011
Meyer Hideout Inc., Sonora, CA 2011
Meyer Hideout Inc., Sonora, CA 2011
St. Patrick’s Church, Sonora, CA 2010
Circle of Stones, Allentown, PA 2009
Black Box Theater, Lehigh University 2008
des. Chuck Aubrey
des. Julie Ray
dir. Joseph Jobe
des. Kourtney Lampedecchio
The Mission Productions 2014
Steelers.com Live 2014
2365 Films 2013
Maggie Chan & Kay Coelho 201
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. John Iacovelli
des. Kourtney Lampedecchio
San Jose Repertory Theater, CA 2014
Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena, CA 2014
DOMA Theater Prod, Los Angeles, CA 2014
Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Beach, CA 2014
Princess Cruise Lines 2014
Princess Cruise Lines 2014
San Jose Repertory Theater, CA 2014
South Coast Repertory Theater, CA 2014
La Mirada, CA 2013
The Regent Beverly Wilshire Ballroom 2013
Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena, CA 2012
San Jose Repertory Theater, CA 2012
Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena, CA 2012
A Noise Within, Pasadena, CA 2012
Santa Cruz Shakespeare Festival, CA 2012
Odyssey Theater III, Los Angeles, CA 2012
Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, CA 2012
Aurora Theater, Berkeley, CA 2012
Wright Main Stage, UC Davis, CA 2011
Lighting Design Experience
Lighting Designer
Parodia
Today I Live
Offending the Audience
Willy Wonka, Jr.
Charlotte’s Web
Seussical
Peter Pan
The Velveteen Rabbit
A Year with Frog and Toad
Anything Goes
Pride and Prejudice
The Country Wife
Three Sisters
I Hate Hamlet
Bloody Poetry
The Mercy Seat
Good Woman of Setzuan
So You Wanna Piece…
Assistant Lighting Designer
Winter Dance Concert
Christmas City Follies VII
The Birds
Lighting Research: Lehigh University Lighting Lab Supervisor 2007-08
 Founded Light Lab Project with the goal of investigating the qualities of light for theatrical lighting design
 Applied for and received grants from the Mustard and Cheese Drama Society and Arts Lehigh
 Initiated, mentored, and supervised collaborative research projects with students, apprentices, and alumni
Vanderhoef Studio, Mondavi Center 2013
Wyatt Theater, Davis, CA 2012
Wyatt Theater, Davis, CA 2012
Meyer Hideout Inc., Sonora, CA 2010
Wolf Performing Arts Center, Inc. 2009
Wolf Performing Arts Center, Inc. 2009
Liberty High School, Bethlehem, PA 2009
Wolf Performing Arts Center, Inc. 2008
Wolf Performing Arts Center, Inc. 2008
Princeton Arts Center, Princeton, NJ 2008
Princeton Arts Center, Princeton, NJ 2007
Diamond Theater, Lehigh University 2007
Diamond Theater, Lehigh University 2007
Crowded Kitchen Players, Allentown 2007
Theater Outlet, Allentown, PA 2007
Black Box Theater, Lehigh University 2006
Diamond Theater, Lehigh University 2006
Say Word Hip Hop Theater Festival 2006
dir. Deirdre Morris
playwr. Susan-Jane Harrison
dir. Jess Curtis
dir. Kyla Meyer
dir. Ashley Kerns
dir. Betsy Wolf
dir. Judy Danilovicz
dir. Bobbi Wolf
dir. Betsy Wolf
dir. Patricia Wray
dir. Patricia Wray
dir. Augustine Ripa
dir. Augustine Ripa
dir. Ara Barlieb
dir. Jim Peck
dir. Lauren Doup
dir. Pam Pepper
artists. DJ Jedi and
Joe Hernandez-Kolski
des. Drew Francis
des. Nathanael Washam
des. Jeffrey Milet
Samuels Theatre, Cedar Crest College 2007
Touchstone Theater, Bethlehem, PA 2006
Diamond Theater, Lehigh University 2004
Technical Theater Experience
Technical Director: Sierra Repertory Theatre pd. Dennis Jones Sonora, CA 2010-11
 2011 Shows Included Hairspray, The Rainmaker, The Full Monty, Boeing Boeing, Annie, and The Ladies Man
 2010 Shows Included Guys and Dolls, Dial M for Murder, Shipwrecked, Stand By Your Man, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Big River, Master Class, Red, White, and Tuna, White Christmas, and The Andrews Sisters
Technical Director: Shadowland Theater ad. Brendan Burke, AD Ellenville, NY 2008-09
 2008 Shows Included Art, Sedition, Black Comedy, Glorious!, and Rising Water
 2009 Shows Included The Price, Almost Maine, Gutenburg! The Musical, Accomplice, and American Buffalo
Assistant Technical Director: Lehigh University td. Bart Freed Bethlehem, PA 2008-09
 Managed 50+ Students in multiple classes, Student Artists, Work Study, and Volunteer Workers
 Planned, Scheduled, Ordered Materials, Ran the Scene Shop, and Supervised Other Technical Needs
 Adjunct Lecturer for THTR 20 (Stage Technology and Production I), THTR 21 (Stage Technology and Production II), and THTR 175 (Special Projects)
 2008-09 Shows Included A Doll’s House, The Clean House, The House of Yes, Wintertime, Last Train to Nibroc, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, and the 2009 One-Acts Festival
 09-10 Shows Include A Moon for the Misbegotten, 12th Night, The Altruists, Seascape, Noises Off, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, and the 2010 One-Acts Festival
Scenic Charge
The Dogs of War
The Bacchae
Scenic Artist
The House of Bernarda Alba
Rosencrantz and Guild...
The Ladies Man
Hairspray
The Marvelous Wonderettes
Shipwrecked
Natural History
Getting Near to Baby
The Nutcracker
Treasure Island
Twelfth Night
Splittin’ the Raft
Department of Theatre Apprentice: Lehigh University mentor. Drew Francis Bethlehem, PA 2008-09
 Included Lighting and Scenic Designs, Scenic Carpentry and Painting, Electrics, Studio Projects, and Supervising Students
 Shows Included The Country Wife, The Shape of Things, Independence, Frozen, A Number, The Piano Lesson, and the 2008 One-Acts Festival
td. Dan Neeland
td. Dan Neeland
UC Davis, CA 2013
UC Davis, CA 201
UC Davis, CA 2012
Wright Main Stage, UC Davis, CA 2011
Fallon House, Columbia, CA 2011
East Sonora Theatre SRT, Sonora, CA 2011
East Sonora Theatre SRT, Sonora, CA 2010
East Sonora Theatre SRT, Sonora, CA 2010
Shadowland Theater, Ellenville, NY 2007
People’s Light and Theater, PA 2008
Ballet Etudes, South Norwalk, CT 2007
People’s Light and Theater, PA 2007
People’s Light and Theater, PA 2007
People’s Light and Theater, PA 2007
sc. Rose-Anne Raphael
sc. Kourtney Lampedecchio
sc. Kathy Styre
sc. Kathy Styre
sc. Kathy Styre
sc. Kathy Styre
sc. Drew Francis
sc. Gino Ng
sc. Lauren Rockman
sc. Gino Ng
sc. Gino Ng
sc. Gino Ng
Honors, Awards, and Grants
2013 UC Davis Dramatic Arts Department Fellowship Award
2009 Freddy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting (Peter Pan)
2007 KCACTF Certificate of Merit for Lighting Design (The Country Wife)
2007 Mustard and Cheese Drama Society Grant (Lighting Lab)
2007 Arts Lehigh Student Arts/Creativity Grant (Lighting Lab)
2007-08 Lehigh University Department of Theatre Apprenticeship Program in Design and Technology
 Awarded funding for a select group of highly qualified graduates to continue advanced studies
 Included realized Scenic and Lighting Designs, Assistant Technical Director duties, and studio assignments
2007 William’s Prize for Outstanding Work in Lighting Design (The Mercy Seat)
2006 William’s Prize for Outstanding Work in Stage Management (Proof)
2006 William's Prize for Outstanding Work in Lighting Design (The Good Woman of Setzuan)
2004-07 Eckardt College Scholar (Lehigh University)
 Selective and unique honors program emphasizing interdisciplinary exploration
Community Service and Leadership Experience
President of North Huntingdon Township Environmental Stewardship Project 2014--Current
 Mission Statement: To inform and support North Huntingon residents regarding issues that impact their health, safety, and environment.
 Created and presented Fracking 101
 Currently producing a web series to educate the public about the Industrial Unconventional Horizontal Slickwater Hydraulic Fracturing Process
of Shale Gas Extraction
Volunteer for Mountain Youth and Community Theatre 2010-11
 Mission Statement: To foster educational opportunities for children and adults of all ages in the performing arts, with a specific focus
on theater, music, dance, voice and other arts
Mustard and Cheese Drama Society Executive Board Member – Treasurer 2006-07
 Created and Produced Improv-A-Pella, a fundraising event for four campus groups
 Initiated non-monetary support efforts for campus and off-campus projects
 Successfully petitioned the Lehigh University Student Senate for additional funding
United Presbyterian Church of the Covenant Board of Deacons Member and Youth Group President 2002-03
 Primarily focused community outreach and youth efforts and events
References
John Iacovelli
Scenic Designer and Professor (UC Davis)
818-400-9876 iacovelli@iacovelli.com
Maggie Morgan
Costume Designer and Professor (UC Davis)
818-298-7802 maggiemorgan@aol.com
Thomas Munn
Lighting Designer and Professor (UC Davis)
415-786-6162 tmunn@attglobal.net
Elizabeth Galindo PhD
Costume Designer and Professor (UC Davis)
916-335-9410 epgalindo@gmail.com
Josy Miller
Director and Playwright
415-407-4224 jnmiller@ucdavis.edu
Jarrell Iu-Hui Chua
Choreographer
415-400-6049 uespacespy@gmail.com
Robert August
Actor and Owner of Made Up Theatre
510-896-5203 bobbyaugust@gmail.com
Peet Cocke
Director and Scenic Designer
805-234-1809 profpeet@gmail.com
2010 - present
2010 - present