Mary Houston

Full-time instructor for classes in design and technology: scenic design, drafting, props, style and decor, stage management, design fundamentals, etc. Supervisor for UNCO School of Theatre Arts and Dance Prop Shop. Advisor for students studying props, stage management, scenic design, and scene painting. Scenic designer and prop master for various theatre department productions.

Manage and Lead a team of 6 artisans [ 2 professional & 4 students ] who create and fabricate 600+ props and complete 1000+ prop notes for 12 productions in a season, collaborate with professional designers and directors as well as mentor student designers and stage managers.

Instruct the prop section for the Introduction to Stagecraft class for Freshmen Stage managers and Design/Technical Theatre students. Covers all the basic who, what, when, where and why of props, and brings everyone up to an even level of understanding. Includes a 2 part lab class in the prop shop. Lasts 6 weeks and co-taught with my production department counterparts.

One of my favorite part time jobs ever. Teaching people who didn't think they could paint, how to paint, and entertain in the process. Responsible for leading a class of up to 30 individuals thru creating a painting from scratch. Part instructor, part entertainer. Also created paintings with instructions as part of responsibilities. Worked with studio management to make sure all patrons enjoyed themselves, learned something and wanted to return.

HSN shows in the visual department. Work independently to set and strike styling decor and product as needed. Assist full time stylist. Clean, organize and maintain the stock of set dressing items. Maintain outdoor HSN and HGTV partner sets, including live plants and vegetation. University of South Florida A public research university.

Painted and/or textured all scenic and some prop elements for each production, within allotted time and budget and with the specifications of each designer. Collaborated with the technical director for all necessary materials and equipment needed for each production. Utilized my extensive knowledge of color theory and mixing, faux treatments, textures and paint applications to complete each production.

Classes Managed and taught classes, planned syllabus', gave lectures on a variety of topics and advised students as needed and requested, planned and conducted field trips and class projects associated with classroom studies.

Managed the props department. Collaborated with the directors and designers for each production on their prop, set dressing and furniture needs. Managed a department of 3 union employees. Created and maintained evolving prop lists for each show, conducted period research, procured and planned the fabrication for each prop element, and maintained and operated within the budget and time limitations for each show and the season.

Set Designer, etc. Worked and thrived independently within the professional New York theatre and television industry in multiple and evolving roles as a prop coordinator, scenic painter, designer, art director, prop shopper, model builder, draftsman, etc. for 14 years. Responsible for time management including juggling multiple projects, sometimes in different fields, simultaneously, completed individual project duties and responsibilities, maintained bookings, conducted personal marketing and PR, attending necessary meetings, managing income and expenses, etc. "The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet", Fox News Network Syndicated morning talk show produced by Fox.

Supervised student prop masters for drama department productions. Guided them in fabrication and acquisition of prop elements. Managed the logistics of prop rentals from prop rental houses and other theatre organizations.

Multiple job titles where job responsibilities included coordinating with show and segment producers to fulfill the visual needs of each show segment for live broadcast within the allotted time and budget constraints, collaborating with other art department personnel and television studio staff and technicians, coordinating the acquisition of any necessary furniture, set or prop items for each show segment including necessary logistics and managing petty cash disbursements.