Theatre Design Portfolio
Behind the Scenes
Welcome to my online portfolio! Here you’ll find examples of my work in theatrical scenic design and scenic painting, as well as a few independent projects. I am a firm believer in artistic collaboration and artist design. I am committed to being on time, on budget and on the job.
C. M. Zuby, Designer
Freelance Artist
Theatrical Scenic Design
Props & Painting
Puppetry & Masks
AutoCAD Drafting Certified
Parade Float Designer & Builder
Parade & Event Coordinator
Partner in Professional Arts/Event Company “Zu-Ma: Talent to Amuz”
Professional History in U.S. & Canada
Scenic Designer for more than Theatrical 500 productions
Scenic Artist for more than 300 productions including theatre and televison
Prop Master for more than 250 productions specializing in masks, sculpture and casting
Event Producer and Designer for more than 25 parades and 30 Events
Puppet builder and performer for more than 20 live productions and television
Artist and Illustrator with four published books and hundreds of freelance illustrations
For references or additional information, please contact me directly
U.S. Education and design
June 1979 - December 1999
I began my career as a full‐time high school art instructor, but my theatre career began at the University of Nebraska‐Lincoln, where I received an M.F.A. in Scenography. I specialized in set design, props construction and scenic painting.
After an internship at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, I went on to freelance designing and painting for more than 500 shows for both professional and amateur theatre productions as well as television. I spent a summer at Williamstown Festival Theatre (MA) as assistant designer and scenic artist to five Broadway designers.
Canadian Experience
January 2000-present
I moved to Canada in 2000, partnering with long-time Canadian artist Lynette Maurice to form Zu-Ma: Talent to Amuz, entertainment company specializing in family events and original puppet productions.
I have designed more than 40 shows, working for Shadow Theatre, Mayfield Dinner Theatre, Northern Light Theatre in Edmonton and Pleiades Theatre and Calgary Shakespeare Company in Calgary.
I have also designed and built parade floats for both Northlands and the Edmonton Christmas Parade.
I currently freelance as a scenic designer and scenic painter. I also build specialty props, musical instruments and foam carvings.
Theatre Educator - USA and Canada
1982 - present
I taught Rendering for the Theatre at UN-Lincoln and all technical and design courses at Doane College in Nebraska. I taught Theatre Props I and II and Scenic Painting at Red Deer College from 2008-2015 and the same at MacEwan from 2015-2017. I presently teach Scenic Painting I and II at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
Scenic Designs by C. M. Zuby
The following is a selection of designs from my career. I have a wide range of styles and can work within a budget of any size. I design "to the script and to the production" -- meaning I view each production as an artistic collaboration that requires flexibility as well as its own unique style and intention.
Scenic Painting
I was trained in the U.S.A. by a scenic artist who was trained by a European scenic artist. As such, I have experience in both "old school" techniques for drop painting (dry pigments, dyed drops, gold leaf, etc.) including modern techniques, air brush, foam sculpture and casting. Contact me and let me know what you need done.
Faux marble on MDF
Airbrush Frontpiece - "Anything Goes" 8'x12' MDF
8'x8' Foam Carving - Chinese Wedding Display; Muttart Conservatory
20'x20' Martin Luther King Panels for MLK Parade, MLK Center, Atlanta GA
Airbrush Panels for "A Chorus Line" 4'x8' each
Foam carving - Sawin Wedding - 3'x3'
Dye on Scrim "Between Yourself and Me"
Airbrush Moon 6'x8' - "Anything Goes"
8'x4' Carved Foam Tikis for Event
Ply Cutout - "McCartney Event" - City of Edmonton
Full Charcoal Rendering
Column Painting 3'x3'
Puppetry & Music
I began performing music and building and performing with puppets in my teens and continue to this day. I co-produce shows with Lynette Maurice through our event company "Zu-Ma: Talent to Amuz".
Current shows:
"Amuz-ing Adventures" - music and puppet performances that work for both stage and busking
"Niles' Journey" - our Christmas show
"Duck the Ugly" - a full stage 45 minute hand and rod show.
We also build puppets on commission.
Our music performance is "Small Sounds" - an exploration of unusual instruments that is both performance and interactive music.
I also build bowed psalteries and cigar box guitars and dulcimers.
Contact
I’m always on the lookout for innovative projects, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Best to you -
Cindi Zuby
Address:
8710 Rowland Rd NW
Edmonton, T5H 3W4
Canada
Email:
Phone:
780-424-7469