USITT is now accepting applications for the Collier Robert Woods, Jr. Scholarship 2023. The application portal is now open and will be accepted through June 22, 2023. Founded in 2021, the Collier Robert Woods, Jr. Scholarship supports Black and African American students with interests in lighting design and/or theatre production, technology, and associated theatrical fields. Applicants are considered based on strength of application and potential as supported in a letter of recommendation. The scholarship is renewable and is paid directly to the bursar at your institution.
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Woods, who passed away in 2020 at age 64, was a veteran lighting designer and stage technician with extensive lighting design credits in opera, ballet, modern dance, music, and theatre. He was a dedicated member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in Seattle, WA and Sarasota, FL, and a member of the United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE in New York. A native of Murfreesboro, TN, he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Theater, a Master of Fine Arts in Design from the University of Washington and taught at the University of Washington and Morgan State University.
Woods’ design credits include performances at the Seattle Repertory Theater, Intiman Theater, and Bellevue Community College, as well as productions at Cockpit-In-Court Summer Theater in Maryland, PepsiCo Summerfare in Purchase, NY, the University of Delaware’s Professional Theater Training Program, and for Festival Sundiata performances of Gil Scott-Heron, Branford Marsalis, and Albert King in Seattle. Dance and opera companies he designed for include Dance Theatre of Harlem, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, and Pennsylvania Opera Theater. He served as Head Electrician for the First National tour of The Color Purple, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. His national and international touring credits include Bruce Springsteen, Riverdance, and Broadway tours of Phantom of the Opera, Showboat, The Full Monty, Hairspray, Spring Awakening, West Side Story, Anything Goes, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
To make a donation to the fund, please click here.
Further information from USITT: www.usitt.org
