Full Name:
Derek Matthew Moon
Major/Year:
Theatre Technology 2008
Favorite class in Theatre & Dance and why:
Rigging & Structures: At first glance, the mathematics required to rig safely is daunting, but the exercises we did with flying truss and other objects were fantastic- both fun and informative. Knowing that I left that class with the knowledge to (safely) swing a car, build a catapult, and suspend people in mid-air was and is an amazing feeling.
Favorite thing about Austin:
The never-ending variety of fun, funky things to do, from the Keep Austin Weird 5k to the Hot Sauce Festival. I also love how many of those fun, funky things promote a better way of living and/or thinking.
Favorite place to study:
The audio lab, definitely. A warm, tucked-away room with a rockin’ sound system and padded walls… other than less homework, what more could I ask for?
Brief biography (including projects, awards, accomplishments):
Derek Moon is a 3rd year Theatre Technology graduate student at UT, focusing in Information Management and Control Systems. After graduating from Grinnell College in 2004 with a B.A. in Computer Science, he was awarded the 5th-year Design Technology Internship and served as Assistant Technical Director for the Department of Theatre & Dance until mid-2005. Derek has worked on over 30 productions ranging from experimental theatre to full-scale musicals, and has also worked on collaborative projects and installations including the UT entry for the Prague Quadrennial 2007 (USITT Award Winner), "Case Study 9983-A and 9983-B" (2007 SIGGRAPH Award Winner), and "Kalydria in Animatronics", a joint project between UT and the University of Costa Rica in San Jose.
Originally from central Missouri, Derek enjoys returning there often to visit family and friends. When he's not enraptured by a production or project, he enjoys exploring the outdoors and Austin's unique culture.
Current projects/research/interests:
In addition to technical theatre, Derek has also worked in construction, teaching/training, and information technology. His academic interests include adaptive multi-media information systems, educational technology, communication analysis, and workflow optimization. His thesis project involves designing a new information management system for the Performing Arts Center scene shop, introducing new, flexible technologies to improve efficiency of, and access to, information.
