Today we’re on the line with 2020 Rising Star Award winner Joe Klug. The Rising Star Award sponsored by LDI/Live Design is given annually to a young professional at the beginning of their career. Joe is a Freelance Scenic Designer and currently the Assistant Professor of Scenic Design at University of Arizona. According to his artistic statement, His works centers around trying to re-engage with a theatre audience that is disconnected in this social media driven society. By exploring, shifting, and challenging the traditional relationship between Audience and Performer his work aims to shake the audience awake and engage them with the story being told on stage.

If you’d like to keep up with Joe’s work, take a look at his website at www.jckscenicdesigns.com or check out his Instagram at @jckdesigns. If you’d like to learn more about USITT visit us at usitt.org where we are offering a list of free and low-cost industry online resources, PPE opportunities, and weekly free webinars taught by both our exhibitors and industry experts.