Full Name:
Leanne Renee Meyerson
Major/Year:
Theatre and Dance, concentration in scenic design / class of 2008
Favorite class in Theatre & Dance and why:
If I had to choose one, my favorite theatre class was definitely scenic painting. I got to practice almost everything I was being taught, which has always been important to me. Working in the shop space over at the Performing Arts Center is still great now, a year and a half after I had my first scene painting class. I have been a scenic artist ever since, and now I'm working in the PAC. And, the people I've had an opportunity to work with both in the Winship building and at the PAC have always been a total inspiration. Working in the shop, regardless if you choose to paint or build scenery or both, is a really good idea for anyone interested in how shows come together.
Favorite thing about Austin:
Having lived here all my life, I have many favorite things about Austin. I also have favorite places which are mostly just outside of or on the outskirts of Austin, like Krause Springs and Twin Falls and Hamilton Pool. Water skiing on Lake Travis is great too. Of course there's Barton Springs Pool and all the great restaurants on Barton Springs road. Zilker Park, running around Town Lake, South Congress, The Salt Lick BBQ, Anderson's Coffee if you're a coffee snob like I am, frequent drum circles, the fact that there's a strong art's community here, and all the live music and theatre.
Favorite place to study:
If I still lived in South Austin, my favorite place to study would be The Green Muse coffeehouse on W. Oltorf. I live in north campus now, so I like Flightpath Coffeehouse on Duval and La Dolce Vida on Duval.
Brief biography (including projects, awards, accomplishments):
I started out at UT as a studio art major because I've been an artist for as long as I can remember. In high school I entered the TAPPS art competitions, and over two years I placed top 6 over 12 times. Anyway, after about a month in college I realized I wanted to be a theatre major because all the friendly cool people I was meeting seemed to be in the Winship building. Plus, the studio art thing involved slightly too much self–inspiration and motivation for me– I prefer working with more structure. After the switch I started focusing in scenic design and a year later on scenic painting for theatre. In spring 2008 I placed 1st in the Painter's Journal Annual Young Scenic Artist Award.
Current projects/research/interests:
During my last semester here at UT I've been involved in several projects. As a production assistant at the PAC I helped paint almost all the shows this semester. I've also worked on several student films here and there, and I worked as the charge artist for St. Edward's production of On the Town. Currently I'm looking for work in New York as a scenic artist, and later next year I'm planning on testing into the United Scenic Artist union
