Sarah Tanner CV

EDUCATION

2007 MFA Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

Scenic Design 

2001 MFA Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI 

Painting 

1996 BFA School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL 

Painting and Sculpture 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2015-17 University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI 

2017 – Co-taught workshops for the puppet making class taught by Christianne Myers; to design, engineer and build large scale parade puppets for The River in our City, the River in our Veins, an outdoor spectacle production helping to celebrate the University’s Bicentennial. 

2015- Co-taught workshops for the puppet making class taught by Christianne Myers to engineer and build large scale shadow puppets for the production Sun and Shadows, a shadow puppet play that was performed behind the glass wall of the Walgreen Drama Center. 

2012-prs University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI 

Associate Properties Master, University Productions 

Teach and mentor 15-20 lab, practicum, and work study students per semester. In charge of Painting, Sewing, Moldmaking and Casting, Sculpting, Graphic Design & Backstage Crewing for Properties Shop that supports ten mainstage productions and multiple second stage productions annually. 

2011 Eastern Michigan University; Ypsilanti, MI 

Adjunct Lecturer, Exhibit Design and Construction 

Developed curriculum and taught new class in Exhibit Design. Class designed individual exhibits for six different Science areas, as well as developing and managing an Interdepartmental Art and Design Expo 

2009-10 Oakland University; Rochester, MI 

Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre: Scenic Design; Taught Elements of Design, Drawing and Rendering, Scenic Painting, Independent Study Projects in Scenic Design, and was the Scenic Design and Property Master Advisor 

2006-07 Wayne State University; Detroit, MI 

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, Scenic Design 

Taught Scenic Painting 2 (TA) 

2007 Mosaic Youth Theatre; Detroit, MI 

Instructor and Mentor, Technical Theatre, High School Students 2

2000-01 Cranbrook Academy of Art; Bloomfield Hills, MI 

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Painting 

1997-98 Department of Children and Family Services; Chicago, IL 1995-98 Redmoon Theatre; Chicago, IL

Art Instructor, Middle School Students: Co-taught class in puppet making and puppetteering and created an original puppet play with middle school aged foster children 

Workshop Instructor, Elementary School Students: Taught workshops to elementary school students in building unique paper and bamboo lanterns which were used for the Chicago Halloween Parade

RELEVENT EXPERIENCE

2012-prs University of Michigan 

Associate Properties Master (Dec 2012 – present) 

Properties Artisan (Jan 2012 – Dec 2012) 

2009-prs Sarah Tanner Design; Ann Arbor, MI 

Owner and Designer  Selected Clients Include: 

                 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

                 Wild Swan Theatre, Ann Arbor, MI

                 Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

                 Indianapolis Ballet, Indianapolis, IN

                 JET Theatre, West Bloomfield, MI

                 Performance Network, Ann Arbor, MI

                 Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI 

                 Park Place Studios, Carnegie Melon, PA

                 Redmoon Theatre, Chicago, IL

2010-11 Jewish Ensemble Theatre (JET); Bloomfield Hills, MI 

Resident Scenic Designer, Season  

2007-10 The Detroit Science Center; Detroit, MI (renamed Michigan Science Center

Exhibit Designer and Developer, Sculpture Team Leader  

2007 Mosaic Youth Theatre; Detroit, MI 

Interim Technical Director 

Interlochen Center for the Arts; Theatre Program, Interlochen, MI 

Property Master and Artist, Summer  

2004-07 Wayne State University; Detroit, MI 

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, Scenic Design  

Rotating duties for a season of 7 repertory graduate productions, and 5 undergrad productions including Scenic Designer, Scenic Artist, Assistant Technical Director, Properties Master, and Scenic Carpenter. 

2002-04 The Public Art Project; Ferndale, MI 

Project Director, Curator 

Lemberg Gallery; Ferndale, MI 

Administrative Associate and Preparator 

Curator 

1999-2001 Cranbrook Academy of Art; Bloomfield Hills, MI 

Visiting Artist Coordinator, Painting Department

THEATRE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION  

2019  

Complex Rhythms, University of Michigan @ Power Center For The performing arts, Ann arbor, MI

Scenic Designer

Crazy For You, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter MI (Upcoming)   

Scenic Designer and Artist                                   

2018               

West Side Story, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist

School of Rock, Junior, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist

2017               

The River in our City, the River in our Veins, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Puppet Engineer, Student Design Mentor

Once Upon a Mattress, Junior, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist

Camelot, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist

9 to 5, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist

Sweeney Todd, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

Scenic Artist and Design Consultant

2016               

My Fair Lady, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

Associate Scenic Designer (under Tony Walton, Director and Designer) and Scenic Artist

Assassins, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist

 Seussical, Junior, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

 Scenic Designer and Artist

Sondheim on Sondheim, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

 Scenic Designer and Artist

2015               

Into The Woods, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist

South Pacific, Encore Musical Theatre, Dexter, MI

Scenic Artist

Sun and Shadows, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Puppet and scenic Designer and Artist, Student Mentor

2014               

I Can Hear the Sun, Wild Swan Theatre, Ann Arbor, MI

Co Scenic Designer and Artist

2013               

My Name is Asher Lev, Performance Network, Ann Arbor, MI and JET Theatre, Bloomfield Hills, MI

 Scenic Designer and Artist, Property Master

Brill, Performance Network, Ann Arbor, MI

 Scenic Artist

2012               

M. Butterfly, JET Theatre, Bloomfield Hills, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist, Prop master

Time Stands Still, Performance Network, Ann Arbor, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist             

Ain’t Misbehavin’, Performance Network, Ann Arbor, MI

Scenic Artist

2011               

The War Since Eve, Performance Network, Ann Arbor, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist                

Modern Orthodox, JET Theatre; West Bloomfield, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist

The New Jerusalem, JET Theatre; West Bloomfield, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist 

The Model Apartment, JET Theatre; West Bloomfield, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist ,

2010               

God of Isaac, JET Theatre; West Bloomfield, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist 

Little Women the Musical, Oakland University; Rochester, MI

Scenic Designer and Artist

2009               

The Good Doctor, Oakland University; Rochester, MI 

Scenic Designer and artist

2007               

Elephant Man, Hilberry Theatre; Detroit, MI

Scenic and Property Designer, scenic artist

No Matter Where You Go, Blanche Music Video; Detroit, MI

Set Designer (Filmed on altered Elephant Man set)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmL3k2QMBao

City in a Straight, Mosaic Youth Theatre at Detroit Film Theatre; Detroit, MI

 Technical Director

Wild Oats, Interlochen Center for the Arts; Interlochen, MI

 Property Designer and master

Pajama Game, Interlochen Center for the Arts; Interlochen, MI

Property Designer and master

On the Verge, Hilberry Theatre; Detroit, MI

Property Designer and master

2006               

Inherit the Wind, Bonstelle Theatre; Detroit, MI

Scenic and Property Designer, prop master

Jerusalem Mural, Jewish Community Center; West Bloomfield, MI

Painting Charge, designed by Larry Kaushansky

Inspector General, Hilberry Theatre; Detroit, MI

Property master

DTE Float, Parade Company; Hamtramck, MI

Painter and Sculptor

2005               

Sweet Bird of Youth, Hilberry Theatre, Detroit, MI

Scenic and Property Designer

I Hate Hamlet, Hillberry Theatre, Detroit, MI

Property Designer and Artisan

Electra, Hilberry Theatre, Detroit, MI; Technical Director

Assistant Technical Director

2004               

Anne of Green Gables, Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit, MI

Scenic and Property Designer

1998               

Frankie and Johnny, Steppenwolf Theatre Studio Stage, Redmoon Theatre, Chicago, IL

Props and Puppet Artisan

1997               

Frankenstein, Steppenwolf Theatre Studio Stage, Redmoon Theatre, Chicago, IL

Props and puppet Artisan                

Chicago Halloween Parade, Redmoon Theatre, Chicago, IL

Props and puppet Artisan

EXHIBIT DESIGN AND PRODUCTION    

2011

Crossing the Lines Design Expo, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

Led exhibit design class to develop floor plans and layouts and manage the installation of an Interdepartmental Design Expo

2009               

Diabetes: A Deeper Look, (Traveling, 2500 sq ft; opened December 2009, commissioned by Sanofi Aventis with 1.5 M budget) Detroit Science Center; Detroit, MI  (Has

traveled to Boston, Maryland and Orlando)

Lead Exhibit Designer (Multiple Exhibits)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM1xlwMM9Uc

Accidental Mummies of Guanajuato, Mexico, (Traveling, 9,000 sq ft), Detroit Science Center; Detroit, MI  

Assistant Exhibit Designer, Assistant Curator (Multiple Exhibits)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqRtIjHGHeU

Mountain Don’t, Medical Marvels, Detroit Science Center; Detroit, MI

Exhibit Designer

The Burden of Obesity, Medical Marvels, Detroit Science Center; Detroit, MI

Exhibit Designer

2008               

Couch Potatoes, Medical Marvels, Detroit Science Center; Detroit, MI

Exhibit Designer

Kid’s Town, Detroit Science Center; Detroit, MI

Assistant Exhibit Designer, (Multiple Exhibits) Relief Mural Designer and Painter http://www.mi-sci.org/exhibits-shows/kids-town/

2007               

Space Shuttle 1/10 Scale Model, Space Phase II, Michigan Science Center; Detroit, MI

Exhibit Designer

A Billion Grains of Sand, Space Phase I, Detroit Science Center; Detroit, MI

Exhibit and Graphic Designer, Artist

2002-04          

The Public Art Project, Ferndale, MI

Curated billboard art project that rotated every 6 weeks

2003               

Chroma: Gaston Bertin, Judy Ledgerwood, and Matthew Penkala; Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, MI

Curator

LECTURES

2015                De Paul University, Guest Lecturer, Theatre Department, Chicago. IL

2013                Alma College, Guest Lecturer and Artist, Theatre Department, Alma MI

                        Hillsdale College, Guest Lecturer and Artist, Theatre Department, Hillsdale, MI

2008               Eastern Michigan University, Guest Lecturer, Theatre Department, Ypsilanti, MI

2007               Wayne State University, Theatre Manifesto, Detroit, MI

2002               Canadian Consulate General, Exporting Workshop for Visual Artists; Windsor, ON

2001                Cranbrook Academy of Art, MFA Thesis Lecture, Bloomfield Hills, MI

UNIVERSITY SERVICE

2009-11           Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

                                    Consultant on an Action Project of the Academic Quality Improvement Program for Interdepartmental Teaching

2009-10           Oakland University, Rochester, MI; Performing Arts Center-Public Relations

                                    Committee; Music, Theatre, and Dance Department

2010                American College Theatre Festival; Saginaw, Michigan

                                    Workshop Teacher, Drawing

                                    Respondent, Student Design Presentations

                        UCS Career Expo 2010, Shelby Township, Michigan

                                    Career Representative, Scenic Design

ASSISTANTSHIPS, INTERNSHIPS, AND STUDY ABROAD

2004-07           Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

                                    Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant

2005                Moscow Art Theatre School, Russia; Scenic Design, Summer Term

2000-01          Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI

                                     Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant

1995-96           Redmoon Theater, Chicago, IL

                                     Production Intern

1995                Glasgow School of Art, Scotland, UK; Painting, Winter Semester

1994                The School of the Art Institute of Chicago at Oxbow, Saugatuck, MI

                                     Work Study Assistantship

PUBLICATIONS AND REVIEWS

2017               

RonAnnArbor, “Fiendishly Marvelous ‘Sweeney Todd’ at Encore Musical Theatre Company (Review),” a2 View, September 29

Skora, Daniel, “’9 to 5’ Clocks in as a Show to See at the Encore, It’s All Theatre, August 9

Reinstadler, Kym, “It’s Girl Power in ‘9 to 5’ at Encore Musical Theatre,” Encore, MI, August 5

RonAnnArbor, “Hilarious and Well-Done ‘9 to 5’ at Encore Musical Theatre Company(Review),” a2 View, August 25

Gallagher, Hugh, “Encore Offers Diverting, Funny, and Timely ‘9 to 5’,” Pulp Ann Arbor, August 7

Kiley, David, “’Camelot’ a ‘Shining Moment’”, Encore, MI June 11        

RonAnnArbor, “Gorgeous ‘Camelot’ at Encore Musical Theatre,”a2 View, June 17

Brough, Jennifer, “’Camelot’ By Encore Theatre,” Sun Times News, June 14

Gallagher, Hugh, “Encore offer a Charming, Thoughtful ‘Camelot, ‘” Pulp Ann Arbor, June 10

Skora, Daniel, “Arthur Reigns, ‘Camelot’ Shines at Encore Musical,” It’s All Theatre, June 14

2016               

RonAnnArbor, “This Fair Lady Has Done Me In,” a2 View, August 6

McKee, Jenn, “Encore’s ‘My Fair Lady’ brings star-power to Dexter,” We Love Dexter.com, August 6

Kiley, David, “’My Fair Lady’ at Encore brings a bit of Broadway to Dexter, EncoreMichigan.com, We Love Dexter.com, August 6

Calamia, Donald V., “The Encore grows up with fairy tale romp,” Encore Michigan.com, August 8

RonAnnArbor, “Assassins at Encore Musical Theatre Company is can’t miss musical theatre, a2 View, June 11

McKee, Jenn, “’Assassins’ kills at the Encore,” Encore Michigan.com, June 12

McKee, Jenn, “’God. That’s Good!’ And so is ‘Sondheim on Sondheim’ at the Encore,” Encore Michigan.com, February 5

RonAnnArbor, “Unmissable ‘Sondheim on Sondheim’ at Encore Musical Theatre Company,” a2 View, February 6

2015               

McKee, Jenn, “Encore Theatre’s ‘Into the Woods’ is out of this world,” August 8

Dalton, Shawn, “It’s magic: ‘Into the Woods’ is the Encore’s greatest enchantment yet,” August 14

RonAnnArbor, “Encore’s Extraordinary ‘Into the Woods’ (review),” a2 View, August 21

2013               

BWW News Desk, “Performance Network extends ‘My Name is Asher Lev’ Through 9/15”, BroadwayWorld.com, September 3

DeGain, Vivian, “Theatre Review: JET’s ‘My Name is Asher Lev’ is tops”, The Oakland Press, September 3

Lai, Angie, “’My Name is Asher Lev’ closes Performance Network’s season”, Dexter Patch, September 1

McKee, Jenn, “Performance Network’s ‘My Name is Asher Lev’ paints a powerful family portrait, The Ann Arbor News, August 17

Quinn, John, “Smash hit ‘Asher Lev’ comes to the Performance Network”, Encore Michigan, August            

Quinn, John, “’Asher Lev’ explores the price of individuality”, Encore Michigan,    May 5

2012               

Grier, Ronelle; “JET gives breathtaking performance of ‘M Butterfly’”; The Oakland Press, May 11

Hayes, Carolyn; “M. Butterfly;” RogueCritic.com, May 20

McKee, Jenn, “JET’s ‘M Butterfly’ takes wing, but could use more heat,” Encore MI, May

2011               

Calamia, Donald, “Flash: Season opener is a winner at Performance Network”  Encore Michigan, Oct.

McKee, Jenn, “Moving 'Time Stands Still' at Performance Network explores

the difficulties of long-term love”, AnnArbor.com, Oct 1

Lai, Angie; REVIEW: 'Time Stands Still' Opens 30th-Anniversary Season at Performance Network Theatre; Dexter Patch, Oct. 4                                         

 McKee, Jenn; “Performance Network's 'The War Since Eve' is a tempting new comedy”, AnnArbor.com; Jan 22                                                            

 McKee, Jenn, “Performance Network extends ‘The War Since Eve’”, Encore Michigan, Jan

2010               

Parikh, Dr. Sapna; “Diabetes: A Deeper Look Exhibit”; Fox News NY; March 10

Margolin, Michael H.; “The World According to Isaac”, Encore Michigan, Nov 9-15, 2010

2009               

Centofanti, Deena; “Diabetes exhibit hits Detroit Science Center,” Thursday, Dec 3, Fox News Detroit, myFOXdetroit.com;

2008               

Mrozowski, Jennifer, “Cultural organizations find new ways to boost funding: Draw tykes and parents, The Detroit News, Jan. 24

2007               

Kohn, Martin F., “Audience feels Elephant Man’s pain,” Detroit Free Press, March 14

Johnson, Lawrence B., Review, The Detroit News, March 14

Delaney, Robert, “ ‘Elephant Man’ Challenges Our Attitudes,” The Monitor, March 14-2

Calamia, Donald V., “Unparalleled opportunities at the Hilberry,” Between the Lines, March 15-21

2005               

Rubens, Judith; “ ‘Sweet Bird’ A captivating dance of fleeting youth,” The Oakland Press, Nov.29

2004               

Delaney, Robert; “ ‘Bonstelle’s ‘Anne’ A Great Family Show,”  ­The Monitor, Dec 16

Sousanis, Nick; “Chroma,” thedetroiter.com, Feb 5

2003               

“Billboard has something to say about Detroit,” Birmingham Eccentric, Nov 23

2002               

New American Paintings, Number 41, pp 142-145, photo inclusions

2002-2005      

Cranbrook Academy of Art Catalogue, p 179, photo inclusion