Profile:
Creative detail oriented problem solver and jack of all arts
Proficient in a wide range of traditional and digital mediums
Technically adept in numerous aspects of arts production
Effectively managed various art and theatre production areas
Education:
University of Kansas: Graduated with Honors: December 2005
M.F.A. in Scenography and Entertainment Design
Cardinal Stritch University: Graduated Magna Cum Laude: August 2000
B.F.A. in Studio Arts and a B.A. in Theater
Experience:
Millikin University: 2023 - Present
Visiting Instructor of Scenic Design
Paint and Properties Shop Manager
Whitworth University: 2011 – 2023
Associate Professor of Theatre
Department Chair Fall 2017 – Spring 2023
Provide scenic, sound, and costume or lighting design along with technical
direction for all University theater productions
Teach General Theater and Design courses in the role of Associate Professor
Supervise and maintain scenic shop including carpentry, metalwork, and painting
tools and supplies
Organize and oversee students' directed studies, professional theater internships, and
volunteer experiences
Design and restructure of the Theatre Major Production Track
Co-authored departmental DEI and Safety plans
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre: 2010 – 2011
Freelance scenic design including “Jeeves Intervenes.”
Volunteer scenic construction and supervision for the Young Playwrights Festival.
Cardinal Stritch University: 2007 – 2011
Provide scenic, lighting, and sound design along with technical direction for all
University theater productions
Teach General Theater and Design courses in the role of Assistant Professor
Organize and oversee students' directed studies and professional theater internship and
volunteer experiences
Co-Hosted 40th Annual Region III Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in
conjunction with Marquette University
Walt Disney World Company: 2004 – 2007
Managed the development, creation, and maintenance of entertainment costumes for
more than fifteen shows in two parks
Accounted for six figure project development budgets including purchasing and labor
metrics
Collaboratively aintained the Creative Costuming proprietary database containing
thousands of designs, fabrics, and accessories
Drafted technical costume drawings for in-house shops and outside manufacturers
University of Kansas: 2001 – 2004
Designed and implemented scenography for seven University Theatre productions along
with training and supervising makeup crews for twenty five other University
productions
Organized Makeup Department inventory and tools to help maintain production budgets
including development of a makeup kit purchase plan for student actors to improve
hygiene safety and further control spending
Redesigned syllabi for and taught all undergraduate makeup production courses earning
Best Graduate Teacher Award for 2002-2003
Topeka Performing Arts Center: 2003 – 2004
Worked in conjunction with union stagehands in the loading, scenic set up, and running
of touring Broadway shows
Performed special events duties for visiting Performing Arts groups
Skylight Opera Theatre: 2000 – 2004
Freelanced numerous special prop construction projects including lead sculptor for
the build of Audrey 2 puppets in the production of “Little Shop of Horrors”
Special Skills:
Scenic, costume, lighting, and sound design and production
Foam and clay sculpting and modeling
Latex, stone and silicone casting
Special effects and character makeup
Carpentry and scenic painting
Stage and properties management
Technical Knowledge:
Adobe Creative Suite
Microsoft Office
Vectorworks Designer
Trimble SketchUp
ETC Lighting Control
Various proprietary box office, product management, and inventory control systems
Courses Taught:
FA-300 British Culture Through the Arts
Off-campus international program in the UK
SC-125 First Year Seminar
TA-100 Introduction to the Theatre
Adapted into Online/Hybrid format
Taught for both traditional undergrad and continuing studies students
TA-217 Art at Large: Scenic & Mural Painting
TA-220 Mask Making
Provides Fine Arts Shared Curriculum credit to a class of 30 student
TA-270 Stage Makeup and Costume Construction
TA-275 Stagecraft I
TA-375 Stagecraft II
TA-277/377 Design & Production: Lighting & Sound
Replaced Scenography as part of the restructured Theatre Production track in 2017
TA-278/378 Design & Production: Scenic & Costume
Replaced Scenography as part of the Theatre Production track in 2016
TA-316 Multicultural American Theatre
TA-476W History of Theatre I
TA-477W History of Theatre II
TA-498 Senior Seminar and Projects
Supervise individual student capstone projects including design, technical direction,
performance, and interdisciplinary artwork
Advising:
50 Regular Advisees including 20 Theatre Majors & 30 Theatre/Dance Minors
One 18 student section of SC-125 First Year Seminar each year
Creative Research and Design:
Whitworth University
Saint Joan – Scenic and Projection Design: March 2023
Sound of Music – Scenic & Costume Design: October 2022
Something Rotten – Scenic & Projection Design: March 2022
St. George & the Dragon – Puppet & Prop Design: January 2022
For the Whitworth Music Department
Men on Boats – Scenic & Costume Design: October 2021
Antigone – Scenic & Costume Design, Video Editor: March 2021
Hindsight – Design Consultant: October 2020
La Algajira – Scenic, Costume, & Projection Design: March 2020
Original premier production
Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream – Scenic, Costume, & Projection
Design: October 2019
Performed at the Bing Crosby Theatre
Sabbatical Research Trip to Stratford and London England: Spring 2019
Spitfire Grill – Scenic, Costume, & Projection Design: October 2018
Argonautika – Scenic & Costume Design: April 2018
Elephant Man – Scenic, Costume, & Projection Design: October 2017
Go Dog. Go! - Scenic & Costume Design: March 2017
Performed at the Bing Crosby Theatre
The Music Man – Scenic & Costume Design: October 2016
Enchanted April – Scenic, Costume & Projection Design: March 2016
Richard III – Scenic, Lighting, & Projection Design: October 2015
These Shining Lives – Scenic & Costume Design: March 2015
The Drowsy Chaperone – Scenic & Costume Design: October 2014
Pride & Prejudice – Scenic & Costume Design: March 2014
Wakefield Mysteries – Scenic & Costume: October 2013
Laramie Project – Scenic, Lighting, & Projection Design: March 2013
Honk! The Musical – Scenic & Costume Design: October 2012
Performed at the Bing Crosby Theatre
Wizdom: A Community Theatre Production – Scenic Design: April 2012
All My Sons – Scenic & Costume Design: March 2012
Hay Fever – Scenic & Costume Design: October 2011
Broadway Unbound Showcase – Lighting Design: Spring 2012-2019
Spokane Civic Theatre
Funny Girl – Scenic Design & Paint Charge: April 2022
It's a Wonderful Life – Scenic & Projection Design: November 2019
Spokane Children's Theatre
Little Shop of Horrors – Technical Consultant: August 2021
T'was the Night Before Christmas – Scenic Carpenter: November 2020
Mama Mia – Scenic Design & Paint Charge: July 2018
Beauty and the Beast: Scenic Design & Paint Charge: May 2013
Skylight Music Theatre: Milwaukee WI
Zombies From the Beyond – Scenic Design: February 2018
Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre
South Pacific – Scenic Design: July 2017
Little Mermaid – Scenic Design and Paint Charge: August 2016
The Music Man – Paint Charge: July 2016
Shrek the Musical – Paint Charge: August 2015
Singin in the Rain – Paint Charge: July 2015
Interplayers Theatre: Spokane
The Foreigner: Scenic Design & Paint Charge: June 2014
Good People: Scenic Design & Paint Charge: February 2014
Awards, Publications, & Presentations:
“Got Tenure: Now What?” United States Institute for Theatre Technology Education
Commission Discussion Panel, National Conference, Houston TX (moved online),
March 2020
Tech Expo Project Adjudicator & Biennial Editor, United States Institute for Theatre
Technology Education Commission Discussion Panel, National Conference,
Louisville KY, March 2019
Footlights People's Choice Award for Outstanding Scenic Design: Zombies from the
Beyond at Skylight Music Theatre, Footlights Midwest Regional Theatre Awards,
Milwaukee WI, March 2018
“Pathways of Process: Linear and Circular Methods in the Design Process.” United States
Institute for Theatre Technology Education Commission Poster Session, National
Conference, Salt Lake City UT, March 2016
“Creative Critiques: Self and Peer Critiques as Part of the Creative Process.” United
States Institute for Theatre Technology Education Commission Poster Session,
National Conference, Cincinnati OH, March 2015
“Mastering Your Role: Roleplaying as Teaching and Training Tool.” United States Institute
for Theatre Technology Education Commission Poster Session, National Conference,
Fort Worth, TX, March 2014
“Not for Barbie” United States Institute for Theatre Technology Model Furniture
Techniques Professional Development Workshop, National Conference, Fort Worth,
TX, March 2014
“Spin Me Right Round: Revolving Door Periaktoi Design.” United States Institute for
Theatre Technology Biennial Tech Expo 2013 (2013): pages 18-20
2013 Tech Expo Project Presentation. United States Institute for Theatre Technology
National Conference. Milwaukee, Wis., March, 2013
Whitworth Junior Faculty Teaching Award, 2011-12
Professional Associations
United States Institute for Theatre Technology 2001-Present
Professional Member of the Scenic Design and Education Commissions
Education Panelist for the National Conference
Communications VP and Webmaster for the Northwest Regional Section
Committee Member and Editor for the Biennial National Tech Expo
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival 2007-Present
Co-host of the Region III Festival in 2007
Design Expo adjudicator for the Region III Festival 2009
Design Expo adjudicator for Region VII Festival 2017
Institutional Service:
Whitworth Theatre Department Chair: 2017-2022
COVAC (Curriculum Oversight and and Vocational Advancement Committee) Main and
Undergraduate Subgroup: 2013-2022
COVAC Vice Chair and Undergraduate Subgroup Chair: 2020-2021
Nominations Committee: 2016-2019
Biennial Honors Colloquium Adjudicator: 2013-Present
Why Whitworth Arts Snapshot Presenter: 2012-Present
Vocational Speaker for Whitworth Staff Luncheon: 2015
Community Service:
Spokane Children's Theatre, Volunteer Technical Advisor: 2018-Present
Inland Northwest Theatre Arts Festival, Design Workshop Leader for High School Arts
Students: 2017-Present
Spokane Humane Society, K9 Crew Dog Training Volunteer: 2013-Present
Libby School Tessera Program & Partners Through Art, SMILE Grant Workshop
Coordinator and Teacher: Spring 2015
North Central High School, College Success Program Mentor: 2014-15 Term
Spokane Falls Community College, Creative Arts Vocation Workshop for Adult with
Development Disabilities: Fall and Spring Semesters 2012-15
Spokane Children's Theatre Donor Wall Mural: January 2013
ARC of Spokane Community Center Mural Project: January 2012
CV/RESUME
Aaron Dyszelski