 | History | | Who's Who? |
| Teaching Philosophy |
| Cobalt's Guest Instructors |
| Life at Cobalt | | Directions to Cobalt |
Over the years, we received many calls from employers asking us to recommend painters.
We found that the list of qualified people we could recommend was too short.
Many employers bemoaned the lack of fully-trained scenic artists on the jobsite.
Designers often made design compromises due to a scenic artist's lack of training to execute
in a variety of styles or to solve problems created by inventive designs and new materials.
Producers and Technical Directors paid for wasted time and materials due to lack of project planning skills and
knowledge.
We both attended and taught in theatre programs at big universities, learning
the limitations of these systems: student focus split in too many directions;
the viewpoint that scenic art study is only a step to becoming a designer;
the lack of time to fully teach and to practice and master
the many complex subjects of the Scenic Arts;
the competing pressures of production and class deadlines
causing anxiety, frustration and overwork.
Knowing this, we found the need to train Scenic Artists imperative.
So, we decided to create a school for Scenic Artists that solved these problems.
The program is also modeled after the program at Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright's
school for architecture. For half of the time, professionals teach classes
to the students: a combination of lectures, demos, individualized projects and practice.
For the other half of the time, students become apprentices on real jobs,
applying class lessons in full scale, working with and under the watchful eyes of professionals.
We adopted this style to teach scenic painting.
In this way, Cobalt develops the eye for judgment, imparts skill to the hands and arms,
and passes on the scenic painting techniques for Scenic Artists to meet the challenges of their craft.
The schoolwork and professional work alternate depending on the duration and involvement of the
students. The professionals whom the students are learning from and working with
are either part of our staff or visiting Scenic Artists.
At Cobalt Studios you learn what you need to know to make a
living as a Scenic Artist in theatre, ballet/dance, opera, television, and film.
We teach some interior decorative painting, too.
You are trained to do the highest quality work, the basis for continuous employment.
We stress artistic training, well-honed
manual skills and a thorough knowledge of materials and techniques.
We emphasize communications skills, problem-solving, positive attitude and project
management in our training. Let's face it, scenic art is a team sport!
Cobalt Studios is a base from which we are developing a pool of successful
painters who have a positive commitment to our craft, painters to work with
and to recommend. We look forward to sharing new materials and techniques,
new ideas and new acquaintances.
Highlights of Union work include working at Nolan's, Sander-Gossards,
Showtech, Scaena Studios, and Scenic Arts Studios. At those studios she
worked on more shows than she can remember; those that she CAN include
Doonesbury, the Real Thing, Baby, La Cage Aux Folles, 9 1/2 Weeks,
Chaplin and K2.
She was in the USA 829 union for 19 years.
At Cobalt, there have been many notable projects, including the Miami Nutcracker,
the Chicago Tribune Nutcracker, Tokyo Einstein on the Beach, 13 years of
Hasty Pudding, drops for Baryshnikov Productions and Twyla Tharp,
9 years of Manhattan School of Music operas, backdrops for the
Broadway production of State Fair and many other happy customers.
Designers who know and like her work include Jose Varona, Ming Cho Lee,
Santo Loquasto, Tony Walton, James Joy, Maxine Klein, Campbell Baird,
Howard Jones, Mark Pirolo, Tony Fanning, John Ezell, Jim Yeomans, and
Jim Noone.
Rachel also paints commissions for Historic Decorative projects, and has worked
in the Ohio Statehouse, Montpelier in Maryland, the Skylight Theatre in
Minneapolis and has done Graining, Marbling and Floorcloths in various residences around the country.
Howard Jones left Cobalt Studios in 1993. Since then he has been pursuing a
freelance career as a scenic designer. Recently he returned to the North
Carolina School for the Arts to teach scenic painting. Since Howard left
there have been three other people who have worked with Rachel — Diane
Fargo, David Brandon and Kathryn Sharp. All three have moved on from Cobalt Studios to pursue careers as freelance scenic painters.
GUEST INSTRUCTORS:
Bob Moody (Teacher's Training 2005 — Teaching Scenic Painting - To Design Students) and
(Landscape Painting for Murals & Stage), Professor and Master Scenic Artist, Brandeis University has extensive scene painting and teaching experience, including work for repertory theaters, television, opera, professional scenic studios,and colleges and universities around the country. He was a scenic-artist crewmember at St. Louis Municipal Opera (MUNI) for 24 summer seasons:
the latter 11 seasons as Master Scenic Artist Chargeman.
In addition, he was Chargeman Scenic Artist at ABC Television in Chicago for five years,
and was also on the faculty of Goodman School of Drama in Chicago for five years.
C. Lance Brockman (History of Scenic Art)
Diane Fargo (Perspective for the Scenic Artist) received an MFA in Theatre Design from Brandeis in 1985. She has taught Set Design and Drafting at SUNY Albany, Scene Painting at Cobalt Studios for 3 years and Painting Seminars at a variety of educational institutions. Since September 2001, Diane has been a part-time faculty member at Boston University teaching Drawing, History of Architecture and Decor, and Scene Painting. Diane has been the Charge Scenic Artist at the acclaimed Goodspeed Opera for 14 years.
Following graduate school Diane made her living as a freelance Designer and Design Asst. in scenery, lighting, costumes. After several years, she realized that painting was really her forte and decided to pursue it full time. She has worked on Broadway, Off Broadway and Regionally, for such theatres as, The Roundabout, Public Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, City Opera, CSC, Playwrights Horizons, Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, Houston Ballet, Alabama Shakespeare, Minnesota Opera, Williamstown, Tri Cities Opera, Hershey Park, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Paul Taylor Dance Co., Lar Lubavich Dance Co., Cambodian Dance Tour, Great Barrington, HBO, Mr. Roger's Show, Public Theater, Hartford Stage, Long Wharf, Jean Ann Ryan Productions, Cinderella Tour, Ford's Theater, and Nation Theater of the Deaf. Store and Window Display and Event Decorations and for such companies as Tiffany's, IBM, Exxon, Valentinos, Foxwoods and Bellaggio Casinos.
Pam Knauert Lavarnway (Teacher's Training 2005 — Teaching Scenic Painting - Creating a Scenic Painting Course - 3 credits and up)
Susan Crabtree (Teacher's Training 2005 — Teaching Scenic Painting - Creating a Scenic Painting Course - 3 credits and up) and (Furnishing Your Backdrop)
Susan's has charged and worked as Scenic Artist for over 20 years for many notable companies: Denver Center Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Indiana Repertory, Tobins Lake Studios, Wichita Music Theatre, University of Michigan, Indiana Starlight Theatre, Kenmark, Inc. Her interest in 19th century backdrops began during her tenure at Tobins Lake, as historically rental drops tended to be of this style.
In 1987 Susan began teaching Scenic Painting at the University of Michigan
adding the responsibility of Paintshop Manager in 1991 to her teaching
responsibilities.It was during her tenure at Michigan that Susan and Peter Beudert signed the contract to write Scenic Art for the Theatre.
Susan relocated back to Denver in 1998 to devote herself fulltime to her business, Crabtree Scenic and Specialty Painting, and to commence her Ph.D. studies.
Kimb Williamson (Summer Scene Painting)
Joe Rial
(Teacher's Training 2005— Teaching Scene Painting - High School Productions Through Stagecraft Class)
Howard Jones (Teacher's Training 2005 — Teaching Scenic Painting - To Design Students) Howard received the Best of Theater award in Kansas City for his set design for the 1940's Radio Hour at American Heartland. Howard is generous in sharing his skills as a scenic artist with young people who are learning the profession. He currently resides in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. B.A., William Jewell College. Designer: Goodspeed Opera House, Starlight Theatre, American Heartland Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, State Ballet of Missouri, Merrimack Repertory, North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Boston Conservatory of Music, Coterie Theatre, Missouri Repertory Theatre, New Theatre. Elliot Norton Outstanding Designer 2000, K.C. Drama Desk Award. Painted for: John Conklin, James Leonard-Joy, Santo Loquasto, Loy Arienas, Jose Varona. Co-founder of Cobalt Studios, White Lake, N.Y. Member, United Scenic Artists Local 829.
Nels Christianson (Interior-Grade Painted Woodgrain)
Stephen G. Sherwin (Tips & Techniques in Scenic Art) Stephen came to Stevens Point in August of 1981. He is the Program Head of Design and
Technology. As scenic designer at UWSP, Stephen has designed over 100 productions. He also
occassionally directs, directing productions of Pippin, Into the Woods,
Weird Romance, Guys and Dolls, and last season's Picasso at the Lapin
Agile. Next year he will direct Sherlock's Last Case. It has been a while since
he acted; his most recent credits include Benjamin Franklin in UWSP's award winning
production in 1776, Polonius in Hamlet, and Tevye in Fiddler on the
Roof for Central Wisconsin Area Community Theatre. In recent years, Professor Sherwin's interests focus on computer enhanced drafting,
design, and painting in theatre. He is a regular presenter at conferences and workshops on
this and similar technology topics. His most recent sabbatical was the spring semester of
2002-2003. He started a book, Scene Painting Projects for the Classroom, with
publication expected in June of 2005. Interests include gardening and scuba diving.
Laura McPherson is a freelance U.S.A. (Local #829 NYC) Scenic Designer, Charge Scenic Artist, and Puppeteer. Based out of Providence, Rhode Island, she shares a design studio, paint deck, and shop with her brother Robert McPherson, a Sculptor.
Laura received her MFA in Scenic Design from Boston University with John Fallabella & Don Beaman, and BFA in Scenic Design from The North Carolina School of the Arts with Donato Moreno & John Lee Beatty. Laura assisted a number of Broadway designers. She was Assistant Professor at Emerson College including Scenic Painting, Maskmaking, mentoring young designers, and designing shows for the Majestic Theater. McPherson is now Associate Professor at Bridgewater State College, having taught Theater Appreciation, Play Production, Stagecraft, Seminar in Contemporary Theater, Scenic Design, as well as designing many shows. She has often served as a Visiting Lecturer at Boston University, The Boston Conservatory, Harvard University / Radcliffe College, and The American Repertory Theater Institute.
Laura is thrilled to have the opportunity to lead a workshop for Cobalt Studios in that Cobalt is doing the crucial work of preserving the traditional and discovering the modern knowledge of the Scenic Arts by being a universal resource to everyone from all walks of theater.
The house is proving to be a wonderful home. With its eight bedrooms,
four bathrooms, two parlours and a greatroom, we are quite comfortable.
The huge kitchen Howard designed is a great place to cook.
The studio is really deluxe, with its 40' x 135' paint deck, paint mixing room,
great light and plenty of heat, sink space and hot water. It's just a
one minute walk from the house but that's plenty of time to check out the
ever-changing skies, fields and woods along the way.
LOCATION
HOW TO GET HEREWHY WE CREATED COBALT STUDIOS
Rachel Keebler and Howard Jones founded Cobalt Studios in 1988.
Next year, Cobalt Studios celebrates 16 exciting years training students in the Scenic Arts.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Cobalt Studios is modeled after the Guilds from the Renaissance.
Here we combine the classroom experience with the workshop experience.
We reflect those guilds where a cohesive group of artists
nurtured a respect for their craft as an active part of their community life;
craftsmen whose knowledgeable dedication to their craft bound them together through mutual respect;
craftsmen who taught the traditions, skills and art of their craft
and passed this down through their "knowing" hands.
RACHEL KEEBLER
Rachel Keebler is a 1978 BFA graduate of Boston University where she studied
with Don Beaman. Concurrently she worked for and learned from James Joy,
an association which has continued to this day. She has painted scenery
since high school, but started concentrating on it in college, realizing
it as a career two years out of college. This year marks her 27th year as a
professional. In 1981 Rachel was accepted through the practical exam
into USA 829 while she was teaching at the North Carolina School for the
Arts (NCSA). During her first year in the union she taught at
Temple University. She has taught Seminars since then at NCSA,
the University of Michagan, Kalamazoo, USITT Chicago, USITT Chesepeake, and has spent a Quarter
teaching and charging at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.
Lance is a Professor of Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Minnesota. His research interest is in the aesthetics of late 19th and early 20th century theatre scenic art. Brockman's interest led to the discovery of
the Twin City Collection that contains sketches used for painting scenery for opera houses,
vaudeville, circuses and department store displays. His recent interest is in the scenery
created for use as backgrounds for the initiation of members in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
Two additional collections of sketches were the basis for a NEH funded exhibit titled
Theatre of the Fraternity. Beyond research and collecting extant examples of historic scenery, Brockman has devoted time to recreating painting processes based on the collections of the University.
Design/Technology Pam Knauert Lavarnway is a member of the design/technology faculty and has designed scenery for Wright State Univeristy Theatre's production of Guys and Dolls, Hayfever, 1913: The Great Dayton Flood, Dancing at Lughnasa, The Secret Garden, She Loves Me, and Chess, among others. Other credits include Quilters and Beehive at the Human Race Theatre Company, The Gin Game for Victoria Theatre Association, and sets and costumes for Werther at Milwaukee's Skylight Opera Theatre. Her designs for Chess were exhibited at the USITT Design Expo in Nashville in 1995. She is a member of United States Artists Local 829.
Susan Crabtree is a Master Scenic Artist and the co-author of Scenic Art for the Theatre: History, Tools, and Techniques. Crabtree received an M.A. in Theatre with a technical emphasis at the University of Northern Colorado. She studied painting and history for 3 months at the Italian Fine Arts Conservatory La Poggerina. She is currently enrolled in the Ph. D. program at the University of Colorado in Theatre History, especially 18th and 19th century backdrops. The goal of her research is to find caches of images that theatrical designers and scenic artist may not be aware of
and to be instrumental in finding a means of making the images of these collection accessible to those that don't have the means of traveling to the collections. To this end Susan has viewed and studied collections at the Lee Lash Institute in Columbus Ohio, The Museum of the City of New York, the library archives at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities, Theatre of the Fraternity), the Lyric Opera Collection, the Theatre Museum in Covent Gardens, the Victoria Albert Museum, the Uffizi in Florence Italy, The Museum Archives of the Teatro Olympico and the Pinacoteca in Vecenza Italy.
Kimb has been a Professor of Theatre and Set Designer at Scottsdale College in Arizona for 24 years. She is a Guest Instructor for Cobalt Studios' Summer Scene Painting for the last 8 years. Her Set Design and Scenic Painting credits include: Arizona Theatre Company, Actor's Theatre of Phoenix, Arizona Shakespeare Festival, Southwest Shakespeare Festival, Music Theatre of Wichita.
She has taught numerous Master's Classes and held Guest Designer posts at
various colleges & universities. With USITT she has conducted Professional Development workshops, was a Commissioner of Scene Design for 6 years and was a USITT Delegate to the People's Republic of China in 1997. She has authored articles for Theatre Design & Technology. Kimb is a recipient of the Kennedy Center/ACTheatre Festival Excellence in Education Award and a 2-time nominee for Arizona Theatre awards.
Joe Rial, Assistant Professor of Scenic and Lighting Design at SUNY Oswego, began his career as an artist and t-shirt printer. He found himself in the theatre world through a series of events that led him to do children's theatre in Hawaii in 1985. In this new career, enthusiastic parents, with no real theatrical skills to offer, surrounded him. His popularity in the schools was won by his ability to make use of this work base and low tech sculpting and painting skills to produce fun and imaginative scenery. His early work was dominated by the airbrush, but later shows were more traditionally approached with standard brushwork. After 10 years freelance experience in the schools and theatres around the islands, Joe decided to pursue his degree in theatre. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and his masters at Illinois State University. He remains dedicated to children's experience of the medium, whether as a hobby or profession. He leads Girl Scouts and highschoolers through his college department annually, exposing them to the latest shows and techniques used to create them. This will be Joe's first experience working at Cobalt Studios.
Sean O'Skea
(Teacher's Training 2005 — Teaching Scene Painting - High School Productions Through Stagecraft Class)
Sean O'Skea, Assistant Professor of Scenic Design for Alfred University, Alfred, NY, has been privileged to work in theater for over a decade. A Northwest native and recent transplant to New York State, Sean has done most of his work in the Portland/Seattle area with companies such as Tyger's Heart Shakespeare, Capitol Playhouse, and The Columbia Center for the Arts. He is a graduate of the University of Portland and taught design at Concordia University-Portland for four years before coming to New York. Like Joe Rial, Sean has spent many years teaching stagecraft and design at small institutions and teaching scene painting to novice, and even reluctant students. Sean is a firm believer in the idea that a little skill and a lot of encouragement can produce exciting results from even the most timid students. This will be Sean's first experience with Cobalt Studios.
Howard C. Jones is an acclaimed set designer and teacher. His designs have graced stages from coast to coast, including Starlight theatre, Missouri Repertory theater, American Heartland Theater, and theater companies in Boston and other east coast cities.
Mary Heilman (Advanced Studies in Scene Painting) 
Mary is on the faculty of the
California Institute of the Arts in the School of Theatre.
She is the director of the new Graduate Scene Painting Program,
offering a MFA degree in the design and production program.
Ms. Heilman was the Lead Scenic Artist for South Coast Repertory Theatre
in Costa Mesa, California for 16 years, completing over 250 productions.
She is currently an independent contractor for Disney Entertainment working on projects
for Anaheim, Florida and Tokyo. She has also executed projects for The Denver Theatre Center,
the Old Globe Theatre, the Arizona Theatre Company and the Mark Taper forum
and designed sets for commercial use by Mazda, Suzuki, Toyota and Mitsubishi.
Mary is an active member of the United States Institute of Theatre Technology
serving on national committees and participating in sessions related to the scenic arts.
After completing her undergraduate degree in fine arts at CSU Stanislaus
she continued with study in Europe, Mexico and the Middle East as well as graduate work
at Otis Parson's Art Institute.
Nels received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of
Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI in 1981. He lived and worked in Paris from
1983 to 1985 as a consultant at the Mayflower Interior Design Company.
He went on to study at the renowned Van der Kelen School of Painting in
Brussels, Belgium receiving its highest honor of the Gold Medal
of Excellence for Decorative Painting. He has been an agent in Christianson Lee Studios, a mural and decorative painting firm in the New York City area since 1986.
Donna Wymore (Film & TV Painting)
Donna Wymore has been the owner and lead scenic artist for Denver-based COLORado Scenery since 1997. Working as a professional scenic artist since 1977, she was a lead scenic artist and the art department manager for 9 years for Lexington Scenery and Props, one of the largest scenery studios in Los Angeles. Prior to that Donna worked nationally for several LORT theatres, opera companies, Shakespeare festivals, independent films and ballet companies. Her work can be seen at most major theme parks, many casinos, restaurant chains, museums, and assorted "B" movies. Donna is a native of Syracuse, New York and a theatre department graduate of SUNY Oswego and Onondaga Community College.
Stephen graduated from Western Michigan University in 1973 with a Bachelor of
Music degree. His first teaching job was Director of Performing Arts at Hackett Central High
School in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He left the high school after seven years to continue his
education. Stephen was awarded a Fellowship to the Hilberry Repertory Theatre Company -
Wayne State University, and graduated with a Masters of Fine Arts degree in 1981.
THE FACILITIES AND LIFE AT COBALT
We find ourselves quite busy teaching, painting and living in this beautiful
place. Students, faculty, and guest artists are all housed in a comfortable
rambling farm house. Everyone shares in the cooking and clean-up duties for
dinner each evening. This brings variety and imagination to our dinners
and we certainly eat well! From the house,
the studio is down a winding path through the woods. During off hours
you can enjoy hiking, bicycling, volley ball, badminton, swimming (in season),
videos, stargazing, horticulture, and culinary adventures. We can take
trips to NYC (2 hours away) to go to the museums and theatre, and we
are involved with local theatre groups. Yes, life here is anything but dull!
We are in our own corner of the world here, on a dirt road, away from the
noise of a city.
You are welcome to visit as long as someone is here to show you around, so...
We are located 90 miles (a two hour drive) from the heart of New York City.
To get here take NY Rt. 17 West to Exit 104, which puts you on 17B.
Follow this west for 6.6 miles. Turn right onto Royce Road (Don't miss it,
it's a small road. Just after the CITGO). Cobalt is one mile on the left at the T-intersection.
Or take the Shortline bus from Port Authority in New York City to
Monticello, New York. If you would like more specific directions on buses,
trains and airlines, please call (845) 583-7025.
HOME
Phone/Fax: (845) 583-7025
COBALT STUDIOS
PO Box 79, 134 Royce Road
White Lake, NY 12786
mail@cobaltstudios.net