Liz Banks

EDUCATION
M.F.A., Theatre Design M.A., Theatre

liz@lizbanks.com

University of Kansas, 2010 Graduate Teaching Assistant: Introduction to Theatre, Scenic Production

Bowling Green State University, 2007 Graduate Assistantship: Employed in Scene Shop B.A., Theatre and Psychology McMurry University 2005, Summa Cum Laude

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Visiting Assistant Professor Survey of Fine Arts THEA 250 Austin College Fall 2010 (one section)

Designed and solo taught a broad survey course focusing on the inter-relationship of painting, sculpture, music, theatre, architecture, film, and photography, as well as their relationship to political and social change through the course of history. This class fulfills a humanities requirement and has attracted a broad range of students from a variety of interests and majors. Course activities include class discussions, slide-based lecture, and responses to fine arts events in the community. Visiting Assistant Professor Theatre Arts Introduction THEA 111 Austin College Fall 2010 Spring 2011 (two sections)

Designed and solo taught this introductory course aimed at all students interested in gaining a broad understanding of the practice of theatre. Students gain a basic working knowledge of the theatre, focusing on the various practitioners who come together in collaboration to create a theatre production. The course is also designed to foster a lifelong appreciation of the theatre, and to help students understand the theatres place in and importance to society. Visiting Assistant Professor Scene Design and Stage Lighting THEA 352 Will design and solo teach this course aimed at theatre majors interested in developing skills in both scenic and lighting design. The course will cover the entire design process, including script analysis, visual and historical research, collaboration with the rest of the production team, and both hand and computer aided drafting, conceptualization, model building, and storyboarding. Visiting Assistant Professor Space Westerns: The Best of Both Worlds HUM 100 Will design and solo teach an abbreviated January Term class, aimed at all levels of students from across the campus. We will study many examples of Space Westerns, including Firefly, Cowboy Austin College JanTerm 2011 (one section) Austin College Spring 2011 (one section)

Banks, Page 1 of 5

Bebop, Star Trek, and Star Wars, and discuss how these films and TV shows reflect and question "traditional" American values. Discussion will include ideas such as Manifest Destiny, the celebration of the human capacity to thrive in extreme conditions, questions of humanity and "otherness," idealization of the unknown, and the role of gender in the Western drama. Adjunct Instructor Stage Lighting I and II Kansas City Kansas Community College Spring 2010 (one section)

Designed and solo taught this course aimed at theatre majors, but which included non-majors, covering the basics of both lighting design and basic stage electrician skills. Course topics included the history of stage lighting design, script analysis, conceptualization, hang and focus techniques, collaboration and drafting. Teaching Assistant, Sole Instructor Scenic Production THF 216 University of Kansas Fall 2008 Spring 2010 (seven sections)

Designed and solo taught this course aimed at theatre majors serving as an introduction to the planning, construction, and mounting of scenery for theatrical productions. Class layout included lecture, discussion, and laboratory periods. Topics covered included safe usage of power tools, basic construction techniques and reading theatre drafting. Teaching Assistant, Sole Instructor Introduction to Theatre THF 100 University of Kansas Summer 2008 (one section)

Designed and solo taught this course aimed at non majors, which sought to enable students to achieve an understanding of theatres cultural role in contemporary society, both through first hand experience with theatre as well as class lectures and discussions on a broad range of topics in the theatre, to develop a sensitive and informed appreciation of its art, and to make it an integral part of their cultural lives. Teaching Assistant, Discussion Section Leader Introduction to Theatre THF 100 University of Kansas Fall 2007 Spring 2008 (four sections)

Participated in general course planning and test writing, while facilitating weekly discussion section meeting groups of approximately 25 students each, and lecturing to large class of approximately 300 on a rotating basis.

DESIGN EXPERIENCE
Position 2010 Scenic and Lighting Designer The Mound Builders Austin College Kathleen Campbell Production Venue/Company Director

Lighting Designer Lighting Designer

Communicating Doors Dark Matter

Kansas City Kansas Community College Multicultural Theatre Initiative

Charles Leader Tosin Morohunfola

Banks, Page 2 of 5

2009 Lighting Designer Costume and Assistant Lighting Designer Scenic and Lighting Designer 2008 Lighting Designer Scenic Designer 2007 Assistant Scenic Designer Director and Scenic Designer Scenic Painter 2005 Director and Scenographer 2003 Sound Designer Over the River and Through the Woods McMurry University Sherrae Lott Red Herring McMurry University The Music Man You Cant Take it With You Cabaret University of Kansas McMurry University Bowling Green State University Michael Ellison John Staniunas The King Stag Rumpelstiltskin University of Kansas University of Kansas Dennis Christilles Moses Goldberg Macbeth Almost, Maine University of Kansas University of Kansas Tazewell Thompson Boone Hopkins

Eurydice

University of Kansas

Chandra Hopkins

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

2010 National KCACTF Barbizon Lighting Design winner for Macbeth KCACTF Region 5 Barbizon Lighting Design winner for Macbeth Macbeth Lighting Design selected for inclusion in the Design Expo 2010 catalogue published in the summer issue of Theatre Design & Technology (TD&T) Designs for Eurydice and Macbeth selected for inclusion in EMERGE: USA/USITT's 2011 Prague Quadrennial Student Exhibit Member of USITT Honorary member of Alpha Psi Omega 2009 Recipient of the Friends of The Theatre Scholarship, Department of Theatre, University of Kansas

Banks, Page 3 of 5

KCACTF Region 5 Honorable Mention for The King Stag lighting design Member of USITT 2008 Recipient of the New Theatre Guild Scholarship, Department of Theatre and Film, University of Kansas 2005 Graduate of the University Honors Program with Departmental Honors in Theatre McMurry University Golden Mask Award given for outstanding overall contribution to the theatre department 2003 2005 Psi Chi Member and Officer Omicron Delta Kappa Member 2002 2004 Freshmen Orientation Leader (3 years) 2002 Alpha Lambda Delta Member

RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Managing Director Summer Season, Summer 2007 McMurry University Managed and oversaw the summer season, including directing and scenic designing one show and overseeing crews, including scenic painting, for two shows Class A Internship Theatre Three, Dallas, Texas Assistant Stage Managed and ran lights and sound board in addition to maintaining sets, costumes and lights for four productions, 2005 2006

RELATED SKILLS & INTERESTS

Hog Light Board Programming Model Building Hand Drafting Directing ETC Express Light Board Programming Scenic Painting Carpentry Pyrotechnician Innovator Light Board Programming Google SketchUp Basic Foam Carving Moodle Course Mgmt. VectorWorks 12.5 Proficiency Cinema 4D Basics Stage Managing Playwriting

SAMPLE PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE

Position ASM & Light/Sound Tech Production The Mousetrap Venue/Company Theatre Three Year 2006

Banks, Page 4 of 5

ASM & Light Tech Running Crew ASM & Light/Sound Tech Local Crew

Children of Eden A Christmas Carol The Imaginary Invalid A Tuna Christmas

Theatre Three Dallas Theater Center Theatre Three Paramount Theatre, Bass Theatre

2006 2005 2005 2002

SAMPLE STAGE EXPERIENCE

Position Assorted Roles Dotty Otley Chastity Monica Kate Miller Moon Venticello #1 Whitney Production Myth it Up Noises Off Anything Goes Present Laughter The Cover of Life The Real Inspector Hound Amadeus A Piece of My Heart Venue/Company Theatre Three McMurry University McMurry University McMurry University McMurry University McMurry University McMurry University McMurry University Year 2005 2005 2004 2004 2003 2003 2003 2002

Banks, Page 5 of 5