Photo by Theatre Communications Group.
NEW YORK CITY: Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has introduced the recipients of the 2023 Willa Kim Costume Design Scholarship. Kaʻiukapu Baker, Claudia Brownlee, and Lia Wallfish will obtain alternatives to complement their positive arts coaching in hand-drawing and portray.
“With rapid advances in AI art generators, it’s more important than ever to invest in the centuries-old craft of painting and hand-drawing to support the irreplaceable role they play in the human artistry of costume design,” Teresa Eyring, TCG’s govt director, stated in an announcement. “Thanks to the estate of Willa Kim, this scholarship program will continue to empower early-career costume designers to fully develop their skills.”
The scholarship is run by TCG and the property of costume designer Willa Kim, and is awarded to designers who’re enrolled in a college or skilled coaching program. Recipients obtain as much as $7,500 to cowl tuition prices, registration charges, provides, and journey bills. This yr’s recipients had been introduced final month on the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts as a part of their exhibition The Wondrous Willa Kim: Costume Designs for Actors and Dancers.
Baker is a Native Hawaiian theatre artist from Kahaluʻu. Raised within the apply of Hana Keaka, she has carried out with Ka Hālau Hana Keaka since 2004. A dressing up designer and performer, Baker is pursuing an MFA in Hawaiian Theatre on the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where she performed in the nationally acclaimed production He Leo Aloha. She also performed in the premiere and New York tour of Haili‘ōpua Baker’s ‘Au‘a ‘Ia: Holding On. Baker is captivated with collaboration within the design course of and nurturing relationships with fellow Kanaka Maoli artists.
Brownlee is a fancy dress designer from the Washington, D.C., space who’s pursuing an MFA on the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama. She has labored as a fancy dress designer at NU-World Contemporary Danse Theatre and Pittsburgh Public Theater. Brownlee holds an affiliate’s diploma from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a B.A. in theatre from the University of Maryland College Park, and is captivated with telling numerous tales that bridge cultural gaps and discovering ecological design strategies for costume designers.
Wallfish is an Israeli costume designer and painter primarily based in Chicago. She holds a B.A. in theatre from the University of California Los Angeles and is pursuing an MFA at Northwestern University. Wallfish makes use of her artwork to problem conventions she skilled rising up in Israel and is dedicated to telling tales that encourage inclusion and therapeutic.
The Willa Kim Costume Design Scholarship is called for the late Willa Kim, a designer of costumes for theatre, ballet, opera, and tv. Kim was the recipient of Tony, Drama Desk, Obie, and Emmy Awards and obtained lifetime achievement awards from the Fashion Institute of Technology, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, and the Theatre Development Fund. She was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 2007.
Theatre Communications Group is the nationwide group for theatre and leads for a simply and thriving theatre ecology, and the writer of American Theatre. Through its applications and companies, TCG reaches over a million college students, viewers members, and theatre professionals annually.
Related