Young Designers to Watch

“Cynthia comes with a very different approach; there's just something about her. Even though she is formally trained in the world of costume design, Cynthia has a more diverse approach to it. She built her career doing shows she wanted to do and not necessarily by taking any show that came along, which I think helped her shape her own voice and vision. She's very funny, and there's a real humor to what she does. She's also a really terrific collaborator. In every show, she's right there for you. She has scenic ideas, comes to all the meetings, and really wants to be part of the whole design process.

She's not only an excellent designer, she's got a very good head for the business end of it. She's incredible for stretching the budget, but always completely conscious of where the money's going or how it's being spent. She's also quite at home working on a commercial production, which is not always the case.”
— David Gallo

Residence: Los Angeles, CA

Position/title: Freelance sound designer

Current project(s): Stage Struck (Colony Theatre); Iphigenia, A Rave Fable (Son of Semele Ensemble); Orestes Remembered: The Fury Project (Ghost Road Theatre Company); The Bacchae (Celebration Theatre); the world premiere of Mommy! Mommy! The Musical Musical! (Hudson Backstage); Marvelous Wonderettes (El Portal Forum); and assisting Jon Gottlieb on Distracted (Mark Taper Forum). Upcoming projects include Beautiful Thing (Celebration Theatre), the world premiere of Impending Rupture of the Belly (Furious Theatre Company), and Throwing Rubies (Ivy Theatre).

When I started in this industry: I was passionate about theatre and immediately knew that it was going to be where I spent the rest of my life. I didn't find sound design until later, but it was a perfect fit.

How I got into this industry: My mother suggested I try out for the school play after having transferred to a new high school. I was cast as a ferret in Toad of Toad Hall, and although I will never act again, I had found my calling.

Influences: Jon Gottlieb, John Gromada, Paul James Prendergast, Mark Bennett, Drew Dalzell.

Worst advice I've ever heard: Theatre isn't a proper job for a woman.

Best advice I've ever heard: Follow your heart, and do what you are passionate about.

My favorite thing about the production industry: I love meeting new creative people and spending several intensive weeks working with them. We work hard, and then we all sit back at opening and enjoy the art we have made!

Favorite design/technical trick: Finding new and creative ways to get speakers on turntables! Thank heavens for iPod speakers!

Plans for the future: I love freelancing and look forward to working in more big houses and with new and interesting people. I hope to get into the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) circuit and travel some, too.

Other interests/side gigs: I am a National Ski Patroller and patrol at June Mountain (north of Mammoth in California). I volunteer for a rabbit rescue, Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue, and spend one day a week at the local Humane Society. Recently, I have started to do a little web design. I love to travel and have seen 21 countries on five of the seven continents.

Awards, honors: Nominated for an LA Weekly Award for Iphigenia; Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for Floyd Collins (nominated for a Robby); USITT Clear-Com Award; and a finalist in the TCG/NEA Career Development Grant.

Organizations, memberships: USA Local 829, USITT, National Ski Patrol, and resident designer/company member of several theatre companies in town.