Billy Wilburn
Artistic Director of Prairie Repertory Theatre, Associate Professor of Theatre
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Biography
I am an educator, designer and performer at South Dakota State University and the artistic director for Prairie Repertory Theatre.
I was born and raised in Ashland, Kentucky. I attended Morehead State University, in the hills of Kentucky, where I found my love for theatrical design and received a B.A. in theatre. For graduate school, I attended Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan. In graduate school, I studied and designed scenery and costume and was an educator. So far in my career at SDSU, I have designed costumes or scenery for over 100 theatrical productions. I also serve as the chair of design, technology and management for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival–Region 5.
I was born and raised in Ashland, Kentucky. I attended Morehead State University, in the hills of Kentucky, where I found my love for theatrical design and received a B.A. in theatre. For graduate school, I attended Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan. In graduate school, I studied and designed scenery and costume and was an educator. So far in my career at SDSU, I have designed costumes or scenery for over 100 theatrical productions. I also serve as the chair of design, technology and management for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival–Region 5.
Education
- B.A. in theatre | Morehead State University | 2002
- M.F.A. in production design | Michigan State University | 2007
Academic and Professional Experience
Academic Interests
Academic Interests
- Costume technology
- Thermoplastics
- Costume design
- Scenic design
- Scenic painting
- Rendering
- Stage makeup
- Portfolio and resume building
- Theme park design
- Musical theatre
Academic Responsibilities
- Serve as artistic director of Prairie Repertory Theatre
- Serve as costume and scenic designer
- Serve as costume shop manager
I have taught the following courses at SDSU:
- THEA 100: Introduction to Theatre
- THEA 131: Introduction to Acting
- THEA 145: Theatre Activities – Technical
- THEA 240: Stage Costuming
- THEA 243: Makeup
- THEA 346: Theatre Activities – Technical
- THEA 435: History of the American Musical
- THEA 443: Costume Design
- THEA 470: Portfolio and Resume Building
- THEA 491: Independent Study
- THEA 492: Topics – Theme Park Design
- THEA 492: Topics – Costume Crafts
- THEA 492: Topics – Scene Painting
- THEA 492: Topics – Travel Studies: London
Committees and Professional Memberships
Committees
- Member of the Campus Planning, Design and Sustainability Committee
- Member of the Graduate Faculty Committee
- Member of the School of Performing Arts Faculty Council
Professional Memberships
- United State Institute of Theatre and Technology
- Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival – Region 5: chair of design, technology and management
- Advisor to Alpha Psi Omega Lambda Sigma cast, national theatre honor society
Research and Scholarly Work
Areas of Research
- Costume technology and thermoplastics
- Entertainment design in theme parks
Awards and Honors
- Outstanding Artist, College of Arts and Sciences, SDSU
- Best Set Design for "The Sound of Music," Broadway World Sioux Falls
- Best Costume Design for "The Marvelous Wonderettes," Broadway World Sioux Falls
- Best Costume Design for "Shrek the Musical," Broadway World Sioux Falls
- Distinguished Artist, College of Arts and Sciences, SDSU
- Best Set Design for "She Loves Me," Pulsar Award, Lansing, Michigan
Grants
- South Dakota Arts Council – Arts Challenge Grant
Associated Areas
