ALESSIA CARPOCA Scenic and Costume Designer
Address: 530 Brooks
Missoula, MT 59801.
Phone: 406 531 5836
E-mail: alessia.carpoca@mso.umt.edu
EDUCATION
Photoshop, one-week intensive class on Photoshop C3. Summer Session, The University of Montana,
2008.
Web Design, one-week intensive class on web site design and development. Programs used include
html programming, Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Photoshop, University of Montana, 2006.
MFA in Theatre Design, Northwestern University, 2001-2003.
B.F.A. Academy of Fine Arts of Rome. Top marks and honors 110/110 cum laude, 1989-1993.
GRANTS/AWARDS
Mini-Sabbatical Grant, The University of Montana. Presenter in two panels for the National
Conference of the United States Institute for Theatre and Technology, Houston March 2008.
Vice President for Research and Development Grant, The University of Montana. Awarded grant to
travel to Urbana-Champaign, Illinois and assist with the organization, planning and construction of the
USA Exhibit for the 2007 Prague Quadrennial and to assist with the load-in in Prague, June 2007.
Merit Award, The University of Montana, 2007.
Faculty Development Professional Grant, One-week intensive workshop in translucent drops. Taught
by Rachel Keebler, co-founder and owner of Cobalt Studios, New York, 2006 (30 hrs. practical plus
lectures).
National Opera Theatre of Rome, Scholarship for course in Set Design and Scene Painting, 1992.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Puppetry
Prague Quadrennial workshop titled “The Tea Pavilion” taught by Watanabe Kazunori and Peter
Matasek with the help of Actress/Puppeteer Miyako Kurotani. Two-day intensive workshop focusing
on both construction and performance techniques for a Japanese wooden puppet, 2007.
Teaching
Faculty Professional Development workshops, The University of Montana, 2007.
• Using teaching Strategies, session included working with large classes, as well as ways to make
classes more interactive
• Teaching with Technologies, session included teaching with different types of technology and
their uses in the classroom
Scene Painting
Cartooning Backdrops for the Theatre, USITT Professional Development Workshop, Toronto,
Canada. Taught by Howard Jones, North Carolina School of the Arts, and Susan Crabtree author of
Scenic Art for the Theatre, 2005.
Scene Painting
One-week intensive workshop in historic scene painting, The University of Montana. Taught by Lance
Brockman, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 2004 (16 hrs. practical plus lectures).
Scene Painting and Construction
Professional Development course in scene painting and scene construction, Archimede Studios Rome,
Italy, Certificate awarded, 1994 (240 hrs).
WORK EXPERIENCE
Summary
I am currently employed as Assistant Professor in Set and Costume Design in the Department of
Drama/Dance at The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana.
I have worked extensively for both the International Committee and the Conference Committee of the
United States Institute for Theatre and Technology (USITT). Last year I was invited by the Vice President
for International Activities to be part of the USITT USA team for the Prague Quadrennial 2007 (P.Q. ’07)
The P.Q., held every four years in Prague, is the only world exhibit of Theatre Design and Architecture.
This year sixty-eight countries from all continents participated in the P.Q. I have assisted with the
organization, planning and load-in of the USA exhibit and, with two colleagues from the University of
Montana, will be in charge of the USA exhibits for the 2011 Prague Quadrennial.
In the last six years I have designed 8 operas for the University of British Columbia School of Music
(Vancouver, Canada). Six of these have been co-productions with Mestzke Divadlo in Usti Nad Labem
(Czech Republic). All have toured both the Czech Republic and Germany including two productions that
were performed in the Stavoske Theatre, Prague Estates Theatre, where Mozart premiered and conducted
his opera Don Giovanni. In September 2001 I designed the set and costumes for the Czech Republic
premiere of The Crucible, which was later included in a one-hour special programming on the National
Czech Television.
During my final year at Northwestern University I was chosen to design the set for the world premiere of
A Long Gay Book directed by Frank Galati (winner of two Tony awards for Grapes of Wrath) and
composed by Stephen Flaherty (1998 Tony award for Ragtime). While at Northwestern I designed sets,
costumes and lighting for main stage productions and graduate student productions.
In Italy most of my experience has fallen into two categories: set design and painting for television
programs on the main national networks, Rai Uno, Channel Five, and set design and lighting for Club
Vacanze, a holiday resort management company that has theatrical and cabaret entertainment for guests
on location. The television work was commissioned by La Scenografia, the largest private construction
and design studio for television work in Italy, with whom I collaborated from 1995 to 1998.
INTERNATIONAL
United States Institute for Theatre and Technology (USITT)
Assistant Exhibit Coordinator, USA National, Student and Architecture Exhibit for the Prague
Quadrennial 2011. Responsibilities will include the planning, cataloging, construction, shipping,
load-in and strike of the three different USA exhibits.
Member, USA team, National, Student and Architecture Exhibit for the Prague Quadrennial 2007.
Responsibilities included coordinating the planning, organization and construction of the three
different exhibits and load-in at the Prumyslovy Exhibit Hall in Prague, Czech Republic. The
Prague Quadrennial is the only world exhibit of Theatre Design and Architecture.
Recruiting Committee for the Prague Quadrennial 2007 USA design exhibits. Responsibilities
included finding and contacting designers worthy of receiving an invitation to participate in the
selection process for the USA National exhibit.
University of British Columbia
Set designer, The Marriage of Figaro, W.A.Mozart, director Nancy Hermiston, Chan Centre for the
Performing Arts, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, March 2006.
Set and costume designer, Cosi fan Tutte, W.A.Mozart, director Nancy Hermiston, Severoceske
Divadlo in Usti Nad Labem (previously Mestke Divadlo), Czech Republic touring show. This
production toured several cities in the Czech Republic including 2 performances in the Prague
Estates Theatre (Stavovske Divadlo or the Mozart Theatre), June 2005.
Set and costume designer, Manon, J. Massenet, director Nancy Hermiston, Chan Centre for the
Performing Arts, Vancouver, Canada, March 2004.
Set designer, The Bartered Bride, J. Smetana, director Josef Novak, Chan Centre for the Performing
Arts, Vancouver, Canada, March 2003.
Set and costume designer, Manon, J. Massenet, director Nancy Hermiston, Usti nad Labem City
Theatre (Czech Republic), June 2002.
Set and costume designer, The Crucible, R.Ward, director Nancy Hermiston, Chan Centre for the
Performing Arts, Vancouver, Canada, March 2001. Co-production with Usti nad Labem City
Theatre (Czech Republic premiere) and U.B.C. School of Music, September 2001
Set and costume designer, Die Gartnerin aus Liebe, W. A. Mozart, director Nancy Hermiston. Coproduction
with Usti nad Labem City Theatre (Czech Republic) and U.B.C. School of Music. This
production toured several cities in the Czech Republic including performances in the Prague
Estates Theatre (Staromeske Divadlo or the Mozart Theatre), June 2000.
L’Acchiappafeste, Via dei Pirenei 10, 00144 Rome, Italy
Consultant for Art activities, Jan/May ’99. Director of the Model Building Pavilion in
“Exhibition of Rome.” The exhibition featured around 20 architectural models and 10 set models.
Responsibilities included conducting seminars in the making of a model and its application in
architecture (for the adult audience) and workshops in model building (for the younger audience).
Club Vacanze, Viale Mentana 150, 00050 Parma, Italy
Set Designer, Summer ’95, Winter ‘96/’97; Art Director, Summer ’97, Winter ‘97/’98.
Responsibilities included designing sets and props for a wide variety of plays, musicals and special
events. As Art Director I worked closely with the management office improving the communication
between the 12 different theatres the company owns and supervising the individual set designers who
worked in them. I created a library of available resources (lighting instruments, scenery, backdrops
etc.) to allow the exchange of scenery and lighting between theaters.
La Scenografia, Via Affogalasino 52, Rome, Italy
Scenic Artist and Charge Artist, 1995 to 1998 freelance. I worked on approximately 25 different
television, fashion or advertisement productions. Highlights from this experience are: Danone
advertising, official sponsor for World Cup France ’98; Per Atlanta sempre dritto, painted for the
Italian broadcast show of the Olympic Games in Atlanta and currently part of the permanent
exposition in Cinecitta Movie Studios in Rome. As Charge Artist I was responsible for the final look
of all scenery in production, supervising a crew of 6 to 12 scenic artists.
Teatro Dei Servi, Vicolo dei Servi 6, 00160 Rome, Italy
Set Designer, The Merry Wives of Windsor, June 1994
Teatro Vascello, Via del Vascello 40, 00156 Rome, Italy
Fly and Deck crew, Tamerlano the Greatest, February 1993
NATIONAL
Montana Repertory Theatre
Set designer, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Greg Johnson, Montana Repertory Theatre January
2008 and National Tour. The Montana Repertory Theatre is a professional company based on the
campus of The University of Montana. The Rep productions tour the country each spring.
Costume designer, Return to Ashes, choreographer Kim Epifano, Guest Artist, Velocity Theatre,
Seattle, February 2004; The University of Montana, November 2003.
REGIONAL/STATE
The University of Montana
Scene Design and Scenic Artist for the Garden City Ballet production of The Nutcracker, December
2007
Costume Designer, Boy Gets Girl, directed by Michael Butterworth, Masquer Theatre, September
2007.
Costume designer, LunchBox, choreographed for the Spring Dance Concert, Montana Theatre, May
2007; American College Dance Festival (ACDF) Conference, March 2007.
Set designer, Big Love, directed by Noah Tuleja, Masquer Theatre, April 2007.
Costume designer, Miss Julie, directed by Michael Murphy, Masquer Theatre, February 2007.
Set designer, Still Life with Iris, directed by Theresa Waldorf, Montana Theatre, September 2006.
Costume designer, Spirale, choreographed by Kasi Grieblewsky, Spring Dance Concert, Montana
Theatre, May 2006.
Set designer, The Time of your Life, directed by Joe Proctor, Masquer Theatre, April 2006.
Set and Costume designer, Peter Pan or the boy who would not grow up, directed by Noah Tuleja,
Montana Theatre, November 2005.
Set and Costume designer, The Shape of Things, directed by James Kriley, Masquer Theatre,
October 2004.
Costume designer, Evita, directed by Keith Hitchcock, Montana Theatre, April 2004.
Set designer, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, director Roger Heddon, Montana Theatre, April 2004.
Costume designer, Return to Ashes, choreographer Kim Epifano, Guest Artist, Montana Theatre
November 2003; Seattle, February 2004.
Costume designer, Mo-Trans dance concert, Three and Still, by Chio Chi Chang, Guest Artist,
Corsage, What if and then …and Power Plays, by Amy Ragsdale, November 2003.
Costume coordinator, Mo-Trans dance concert, The secret life of coats and Improv, Montana
Theatre, November 2003.
Northwestern University
Set designer, The Long Gay Book, world premiere of a chamber musical based on the writings of
Gertrude Stein, director Frank Galati (1990 Tony award for Grapes of Wrath), composer Stephen
Flaherty (1998 Tony award for Ragtime), Ethel Barber Theatre, May 2003.
Set designer, The Tragical History of Doctor Faust, adaptation of Marlowe, director and writer Adam
Burke, February 2003.
Lighting designer, Drums of the Dam, by Helene Anxious, director Craig Kinzer, Louis Theatre,
December 2002.
Set and costume designer, Salt and Pepper, by Jose Cruz Gonzales, director Rives Collins, Ethel
Barber Theatre, April 2002. Children’s touring show.
Set designer, The Changeling, by T. Middleton, director Adam Burke, Wallis Theatre, February 2001.
Set designer, Danny and the deep blue sea, by John Patrick Shanley, director Adam Burke, Wallis
Theatre, May 2000.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Courses taught:
UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
2007 SPRING
DRAM 535 Problems in Scene Design (1 Graduate students)
DRAM 334-2 Scene Design 2 (6 Undergraduate)
DRAM 495 Advanced Scene Painting (2 Undergraduate students)
DRAM 395-05 Model Building (2 Undergraduate students)
DRAM 535 Problems in Costume Design (1 Graduate student)
2006 FALL
DRAM 103 Section 01-02 Introduction to Theatre Design (General Education, BA and BFA
students total of 65 students)
DRAM 333 Scene Painting (Undergraduate 10 students)
DRAM 346 Costume Design I (Undergraduate and BFA students 10 students)
DRAM 396 Independent Studies Scenic Painting (1 Undergraduate Student)
2006 SPRING
DRAM 535 Problems in Scene Design (1 Graduate students)
DRAM 334-2 Scene Design 2 (3 Undergraduate)
DRAM 495 Advanced Scene Painting (4 Undergraduate students)
DRAM 446 Costume Design 2 (3 Undergraduate students)
DRAM 535 Problems in Costume Design (1 Graduate student)
2005 FALL
DRAM 103 Section 01-02 Introduction to Theatre Design (General Education, BA and BFA
students total of 70 students)
DRAM 333 Scene Painting (Undergraduate 8 students)
DRAM 346 Costume Design I (Undergraduate and BFA students 10 students)
DRAM 396 Independent Studies Scenic Painting (1 Undergraduate Student)
DRAMA 496 Independent Studies in Costume Design (1 Undergraduate Student)
DRAM 535 Graduate Costume Design (1 Graduate student)
2004 FALL
DRAM 103 Section 01-02 Introduction to Theatre Design (General Education and BFA students
total of 75 students)
DRAM 333 Scene Painting (Undergraduate)
DRAM 346 Costume Design I (Undergraduate and BFA students)
DRAM 398 Coop Education Experience
2005 SPRING
DRAM 535 Problems in Scene Design (Graduate students)
DRAM 495 Advanced Scene Painting (Undergraduate)
DRAM 103A Section 01Introduction to Theatre Design (General Education and BFA students)
2003 FALL
DRAM 103 Section 01-02 Introduction to Theatre Design (General Education and BFA students
total of 72 students)
DRAM 333 Scene Painting (Undergraduate and Graduate students)
DRAM 346 Costume Design I (Undergraduate and BFA students)
2004 SPRING
DRAM 335 Scene Design II (Undergraduate and Graduate students)
DRAM 395 Rendering for the Theatre Designer (Undergraduate and Graduate students, projects
in abstract and representational art)
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
2003 WINTER
THEATRE 241-1 Scenic Design I (Undergraduates)
2002 WINTER
THEATRE 241-1 Scenic Design I, Teaching Assistant (Undergraduates)
2001 FALL
THEATRE 241-2 Costume Design 1, Teaching Assistant (Undergraduates).
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Northwestern University, Department of Theatre. In this position I was
responsible for teaching my own class and for training and supervising freshman crews as they worked
on scene painting and props making for N.U. main stage productions. I also assisted professors with all
aspects of teaching undergraduate students and lectured and demonstrated to my assigned sections.
Research Assistant, Northwestern University, Department of Theatre. In this position I was responsible
for research and development of detailed drafting of Cahn Auditorium in Evanston. Conducted onsite
measurements and created Vectorworks drawings.
Preparing Future Faculty program. PFF is a year-long course which focuses on the Academic
Profession to help graduate students to improve their teaching skills and understand all aspects of an
academic career.
SERVICE
Off-Campus
Tour Leader, USITT Professional Study Tour 2009, Italy
Trouble Shooter and Conference Committee Member, USITT National Conference, Phoenix,
Arizona, March 2007
Panel Presenter, USITT National Conference, Phoenix, Arizona
Member, Recruiting Committee, 2007 Prague Quadrennial
Member, USA team, 2007 Prague Quadrennial United States Institute for Theatre Technology
Trouble Shooter and Conference Committee Member, USITT National Conference in Louisville,
Kentucky, March 2006
Transportation Coordinator and Conference Committee Member, USITT National Conference,
Toronto, Canada, March 2005.
Presenter, MEA-MFT Educators, Missoula, Montana, November 2005
Presenter, MEA-MFT Educators, Helena, Montana, November 2004 (2 scene-painting lectures)
Campus
Department of Drama/Dance, The University of Montana
Director, Thespian Festival Committee, 2004 to present.
Chair, Search Committee, Costume Shop Manager, 2006/2007
Charge Artist, ACDF 2007 American College Dance Festival
Charge Artist, Opera Theatre, Department of Music
Scenic Artist and Costume Crafts, Richard III, December 2006
Scenic Artist, The Room, 2006
Lecturer DRAMA 101 Theatre Appreciation, 2005, 2006
Scenery Coordinator/Scenic Artist, The Debutant Ball, March 2006
Charge Artist, Peter Pan, November 2005
Member Faculty Evaluation Committee, 2004 – 2005
Member, Search Committee, Acting/Directing Movement, 2004-2005
Member, Search Committee, Design/Tech Costume Technology, 2004-2005
Scenic Artist, Floor, Much Ado about Nothing, February 2005
Charge Artist, A Christmas Carol, December 2004
Member, Search Committee, Technical Director, 2003-2004
Member, Thespian Festival Committee, 2003-2004
Scenic Artist, floor and bar, Present Laughter, December 2003
School of Fine Arts
Charge Artist, Opera Workshop, April 2006
Scenic Artist, Odyssey of the Stars 2006, School of Fine Arts Fundraiser
Scenic Artist, Opera Workshop, November 2004
Scenic Artist, Opera Workshop, November 2003
University
Member Faculty Development Grant Committee, 2005 to present.
Member University Research and Creative Committee, 2005
Presenter, HOBY Conference (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership), UM Enrollment and
Admissions Services
Lecturer, MPACT Program, University of Montana Recruitment Tour in Billings, Enrollment and
Admissions Services
Participant/Host, International UM Days, International Programs
Consultant, International Festival Decorations Committee, Foreign Students and Scholar Services
Advising and Academic Service
UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
Academic advisor, graduate and undergraduate students, 2003 – present
Chair, Thesis Committee, Meaghan Wills MFA Costume Design, 2007
Member, Thesis Committee, Karen Slobod MFA Art, 2006
Member, Thesis Committee, Renae Nelson MFA Scenic Design, 2005
Member, Thesis Committee, Denise Massman MFA Costume Design, 2004
Senior Project Advisor, Nora Gustoson BFA Costume Design
Senior Project Advisor, Amber Mason BFA Costume Design
Senior Project Advisor, Rebecca Cass BA
Junior Project Advisor, Alana Wight BFA Costume Design
Junior Project Advisor, Ellen Magart BFA Costume Design
Mentoring assignments
2007 SPRING
Shane Jurassek Costume Designer The Pillowman
Lauren Millman Assistant Set Designer Big Love
Shon Tester Props Big Love
2006 FALL
Amber Mason Costume Designer Still Life with Iris
Alana Wight Costume Designer Celebration/The Room
Amanda Paulick Costume Designer Opera Theatre
Ashley Breeza Costume Designer Opera Theatre
2006 SPRING
Helen Magart Costume Designer Dancing at Lughnasa
Amber Mason Costume Designer Still Life with Iris
Nanako Arita Set Designer Opera Workshop
Lauren Head Set Designer Opera Workshop
Amber Cantalope Costume Designer Opera Workshop
Eugene Rooks Costume Designer Opera Workshop
Shon Tester Props Time of Your Life
2005 FALL
Nora Gustuson Costume Designer Bat Boy
Jake Zeimet Props Peter Pan
Heather Eastlick Costume Designer Proof
2005 SPRING
Ranae Nelson Set Designer Much Ado about Nothing
Echo Sampson Costume Designer Galaxy Video
2004 FALL
Helen Magart Costume Designer Opera Workshop
Leslie Set Designer Opera Workshop
Sara Nelson Set Designer Christmas Carol
2003 FALL
Maeve Hillary Costume Designer Opera Workshop
Karly Wygmans Costume Designer Opera Workshop
Sara Nelson Set Designer Opera Workshop
Amber Felker Set Designer Present Laughter
2004 SPRING
Denise Massman Costume Designer Uncle Vanya
Kenneth Mogan Costume Designer Dance Concert
LANGUAGE & COMPUTER SKILLS
Italian mother tongue, Fluent English, TOEFL score 610 (out of 660), Basic Czech, elementary
German, Vectorworks, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Hyperstudio, Poser, Painter, Carrara,
Lightwright, Model Shop and Internet.
TECHNICAL THEATRE SKILLS
Scene Painting (traditional and air brush), Scene Construction, Model Building, Drafting (metric and
inches), Styrofoam Sculpting, Mask, Soldering, Costume Construction, Flat Patterning and Draping,
Fabric Modification and Dyeing, Costume Crafts, Watercolor, Oil, Acrylic and other painting and
drawing mediums.
REFERENCES:
MIKE MONSOS
Professor of Scene Design and Technology
The University of Montana
Office: 406 243 5138
MICHELE ANTONIOLI
Professor of Dance
The University of Montana
Office: 406 243 2875
michele.antonioli@umontana.edu
NANCY HERMISTON
Director
Head Opera Program
University of British Columbia
Office 604 822 8246
ROBERT GARDINER
Head Theatre Department
University of British Columbia.
Office: 604-822-3880
CARL JOHNSTON
Scenic Artist/Adjunct Professor
Northwestern University
Office: 847 491 2587
