Curriculum Vitae Gary Thornsberry
Garyathornsberry@gmail.com 606-369-0683 garythornsberry.com
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Education
Ongoing MA in Disability Studies from City University of New York School of Professional Studies
2020 MFA in Theatrical Design with a Concentration in Scenic Design from Texas State University
2014 BA in Theatre from Berea College
Academic Appointments
2022-present Assistant Professor of Theatre Design Tech Management, Berea College
2019-2020 Graduate Assistant, Instructor of Record Scenic Design, Texas State University
Teaching Experience
2025 Professor of Design, KIIS Italy, KIIS, Western Kentucky University
2016 Technical Theatre Instructor, Venice Theatre
Courses Taught
THEA 475 / IDST 450 Spectacle, Design, and Style in Italy
THEA 219 Design 1
THR 400 Senior Theatre Practicum (acting concentration)
THR 400 Senior Theatre Practicum (production management concentration)
THR 400 Senior Theatre Practicum (stage management concentration)
THR 400 Senior Theatre Practicum (special effects/technical direction concentration)
THR 321 Seminar in Theatre Management (Stage Management)
THR 308 Seminar in Theatre History (Realism – Theatre of Cruelty)
THR 308 Seminar in Theatre History (Greek and Roman)
THR 304 Technical Theatre Practicum
THR 303 Stage Management Practicum
THR 302 Directing Practicum
THR 301 Design practicum
THR 300 Acting Practicum
THR 220 Seminar in Design & Production (Sound Design and Engineering)
THR 220 Seminar in Design & Production (Scenic Design and Drafting)
THR 220 Seminar in Design & Production (Lighting Design, Drafting, Lighting Tech, and Programming)
THR 186 Stagecraft
THR 124 Visual Concepts for the Stage
THR 105 Script Analysis
Scene Painting (All Ages)
Scene Painting (College)
Scene Painting (High School)
Scene Painting (Middle School)
Scene Painting (Elementary)
Theatrical Rigging (College)
Theatrical Lighting (College)
Theatrical Design (College)
Intro to Design (Adult)
Intro to Design (College)
Intro to Design (High School)
Intro to Design (Middle School)
Intro to Design (Elementary School)
Additional Professional Experience
2000-present Scenic Design, Multiple Companies
2000-present Production Design, Multiple Companies
2000-present Scenic Carpentry, Multiple Companies
2000-present Scenic Charge Artist, Multiple Companies
2000-present Technical Direction, Multiple Companies
2000-present New Media Specialists (Projections, Video, and Graphic Design), Multiple Companies
2000-present Production Management, Multiple Companies
2000-present Properties Artisan, Purchasing, and Design, Multiple Companies
2000-2021 Stage Management, Multiple Companies
2000-2021 Lighting Design and Electrics, Multiple Companies
2000-2021 Sound Design, Multiple Companies
2000-2021 Costume Design and Construction, Multiple Companies
2007-present Rain and Special Effects Coordination, Multiple Companies
2013-2016 Flight Coordination, Multiple Companies
2013-2016 Automation Coordination and Engineering, Multiple Companies
2014-2021 Theatre Marketing and Outreach, Multiple Companies
2015 FAIR Scenic Assistantship, Oregon Shakespeare Festival
2015 Scenic Welder, Oregon Shakespeare Festival
2016 Technical Theatre Instructor and Education and Outreach Department Technical Director, Venice Theatre
2017 Intensive with Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas
2020-2021 Co-Owner of Less Than Three: Devised Immersive Experimental Production Company
2023 Film Consulting (The Stars at Night by Betty Buckley)
2025 Event Consulting (The Yellow Brick Ball, Hill Country Ride for AIDS)
Publications and Productions
Productions with Berea College:
Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties (2026) Ember Johnes, Ride the Cyclone (2025) Nick Hurtkey, Mothers & Sons (2024) J. D. Lovell, Momma’s Boy or A Praxis in Construction (2024) Deborah Martin, Eurydice (2024) K. C. Bowling, Topdog/Underdog (2024) Adanma Onyedike, La Cage aux Folles (2023) Deborah Martin, Enchanted April (2023) Deborah Martin, Everybody (2023) Adanma Onyedike, Ghost Quartet (2022) Fig Vance, The Last Musketeer (2012) Galen Velonis, This is my heart for you (2012), Cabaret (2012), Jesus Christ Superstar (2014), Fefu and Her Friends (2014), Count Dracula (2013), Crowns (2013), The Normal Heart (2013), Alice in Wonderland (2012), Turandot (2011), The Children’s Hour (2011), The Death of the Last Black Man in the Entire World (2011), An Evening of Clay (2010), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2010)
Productions with Ground Floor Theatre:
Parade (2025) Lisa Scheps, Fairview (2025) Anderson, Jack & Aiden (2023) Trace Turner, Sanctuary Cities (2023) Andrea Nunez, The Last Five Years (2023) Lisa Scheps and Dr. Brian Cheslik, Dot (2022) Lisa B. Thompson, The Voices of Donny Hathaway (2022) Pamela Miller, Unexpected Joy (2021) Lisa Scheps, Rain Falls Special on Me (2021) Patti Neff-Tiven, Trans Lives Trans Voices (2021) Lisa Scheps, Abuelita’s Christmas Carol (2020) Alex Garza, Single Black Female (2020) Matrex Kilgore
Productions with Austin Deaf Theatre:
The Last Five Years (2023) Lisa Scheps and Dr. Brian Cheslik
Productions with Gilbert and Sliven Foundation Austin:
The Yeomen of the Guard (2024) Liz Fisher
Productions with King Productions:
The Voices of Donny Hathaway (2022) Pamela Miller
Productions with Penfold Theatre:
Anton Chekhov is a Tasty Snack (2025) Liz Fisher, Amadeus (2022) Liz Fisher
Productions with Different Stages:
Water by the Spoonful (2022) Brogan Lozano, Thanksgiving Play (2021) Melissa Vogt
Productions with Scriptworks:
Out of Ink (2022) Christina Moore
Productions with Less Than Three:
Hivemind (2021) Collective, Conspiracy Play (2020) Collective, Love is… (2020) Collective, A Collective Noise (2020) Collective
Productions with Texas State University:
Blu (2020) Holly Nanes, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, (2019) Allison Price, The Importance of Being Ernest, (2019) Jerry Ruiz, The Survivors/Los Sobrevivientes (2020), Little Women (2020), Measure for Measure (2020), Little Women (2020), Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play (2019), The Crucible (2019), How I Learned to Drive (2019), The Tempest (2019), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2019), Hamlet (2018), Ragtime (2018), Cabaret (2018) Tom Delbello, Instructions for Dancing (2018) Bruce Turk, Mr. Berns, A Post Electric Play (2018)
Productions with ZACH Theatre:
Roe (2020) Michelle Ney, Matilda (2019) Michelle Ney, Singing in the Rain (2018) Michelle Ney
Productions with Inhuman:
Daddy Longlegs (2019) Allison Price
Productions with Stagedoor Manor:
Big (2025) Larry Nye, The Prom (2025) Kenney Green-Tilford, Oliver (2018) Paul N. Dyke, Aida (2018) Nick Hurtkey, On the Town (2018) Michael Blatt, West Side Story (2018) Marie Nicole, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (2018) Quae Simpson, Momma Mia (2018) Larry Nye
Productions with Ashland Community and Technical College:
Christmas Carol (2018) Jim Maggard, Christmas Carol (2017) Jim Maggard, Christmas Carol (2016) Jim Maggard, Christmas Carol (2015) Jim Maggard, Christmas Carol (2014) Jim Maggard, New Works Festival (2016) Jonathan Joy, New Works Festival (2015) Jonathan Joy, New Works Festival (2014) Jonathan Joy, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2010) Ed Figgins, Christmas Carol (2009) Ed Figgins, Sweeny Todd (2007) Ed Figgins, Blood Brothers (2006) Ed Figgins, A Little Night Music (2005) Ed Figgins, Copacabana (2004) Ed Figgins, Guys and Dolls (2003) Ed Figgins
Productions with Paramount Arts Center:
Rent (2017) Melanie Cornelison, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2013)
Productions with Venice Theatre:
Six Women with Brain Death or Expiring Minds Want to Know (2016) Kelly Woodland, Aladdin Jr. (2016) Brad Wages, 15+ Education and Outreach Department Shows (2016) Various, The Beauty Queen of Leenane (2016), Sweeney Todd (2016), Venus in Fur (2016), Metamorphoses (2016), Noises Off (2016), Ragtime (2016), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (2016), Trailer Park Christmas (2016), Rocky Horror (2016), A Christmas Carol (2016), James and the Giant Peach (2016), The Sunshine Boys (2016), Billy Elliot the Musical (2016), Sister Act (2016), Get Out of Doge (2016), Frost/Nixon, (2016), 4th Annual Summer Cabaret Festival (2016), The Toxic Avenger (2016), Assisted Living: The Musical (2016), Peter Pan (2016), The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2016), Aladdin Jr. (2016), A Christmas Carol (2015), The 1st Annual Summer Cabaret Festival (2013) Brad Wages, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2013), Love Land Follies (2013)
Productions with Oregon Shakespeare Festival:
Guys and Dolls (2015) Mary Zimmerman, Much Ado about Nothing (2015) Lileana Blain-Cruz, Pericles (2015) Joseph Haj, Fingersmith (2015) Bill Rauch, Long Day’s Journey into Night (2015) Christopher Liam Moore, Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land (2015) Stan Lai
Productions with Huntington Area Regional Theatre:
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (2014), Nunsince, (2014)
Productions with Basement Playhouse:
Criteria (2014) Nathen Bradley, Unpacking (2014) Nathen Bradley
Productions with Huntington Regional Theatre:
Brigadoon (2014)
Productions with Christ Temple Church:
100+ Musical Productions (2000-2012)
Productions with Blazer Theatre Arts Society:
3 Productions (2007-2009), Godspell (2007)
Select Conference Presentations
Thornsberry, G. (2024) “Accessibility in the Technical Theatre Classroom” Workshop Presented at the Annual South Eastern Theatre Conference (SETC), March 15th, 2024, Mobile, AL
Thornsberry, G. Auble, E. Hilton, M. Siegel, B. (2023) “What’s in Your Accommodation Toolbox” Panel Workshop Presented at the Annual United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), March 2023, St. Louis, MO
Selected Reviewed Works
Parade (2025)
“The wide view works especially well when we get to glimpse inside the machinations of power. It works when we see how sensationalized news shapes the trial – a thought supported by Gary Thornsberry’s masterful set, with columns and jail cell bars created with newspaper and splattered newsprint.”
https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/arts-reviews/sob-through-the-holidays-with-parade/
“I didn’t see GFT’s first effort at PARADE. I can only say, based on the performance I saw last week, that if it was anything close to this remount, it had to be stellar.”
“…this production of PARADE is disciplined, sharp-edged, and purposeful. It is emotionally authentic and deeply engaging…”
“…we can tell this gifted production team and cast aren’t messing around.”
https://www.broadwayworld.com/austin/article/Review-PARADE-at-Ground-Floor-Theatre-20251210
“Gary Thornsberry's simple set is stark but subtle; vertical white slats define the wall behind the raised rear platform. In celebrations they seem to glow like stripes on the wall of a circus tent; behind court room and prison scenes they evoke smalltown Georgia's inescapable system of (in)justice and incarceration.”
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20251212-review-parade-by-alfred-uhry-and-jason-ro/
Anton Chekhov is a Tasty Snack (2025)
“Special mention must be made of the scenic transitions. They’re handled with a rarely seen level of fun. No boring fade to black here. This pretend company may not have been able to produce the musical they originally wanted, but during transitions they get the chance to dance, adding flair to the utilitarian clearing of props and resetting of the stage.”
https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/theatre-review-anton-chekhov-is-a-tasty-snack-13285224/
“Any confusion is compensated, however, by the unexpected transformation to a closing scene. The tawdry warehouse transforms to a cottage in Yalta (thanks to set designer Gary Thornsberry)”
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20250611-review-anton-chekhov-is-a-tasty-snack-by-/
Fairview (2025)
“… can always be counted on to bring us voices from the margins, stories that challenge us, and plays that never fail to meet the theatre’s mission of focusing on underrepresented communities. … the set design meets the surprising elements of the script.”
https://www.broadwayworld.com/austin/article/Review-FAIRVIEW-at-Ground-Floor-Theatre-20250304
The Yeomen of the Guard (2024)
“Much of the responsibility for the results lies with the top-rank production team”
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20240611-review-the-yeomen-of-the-guard-by-gilbert/
Jack and Aiden (2023)
“Scenic design by Gary Thornsberry went beyond innovative, and is certainly one of the very best sets I’ve seen at Ground Floor Theatre”
https://sunnewsaustin.com/2023/12/01/world-premiere-of-gay-play-in-austin/
“Concerns lingering after my first Jack & Aiden viewing with were resolved by the second show. In particular, the scenic design by Gary Thornsberry opened wider for me. The stage is decorated by shadow boxes, each containing items which correspond to either Jack or Aiden and moments in their past – and present. On my second watch, I noticed more connections to Aiden’s deceased fiancé in the set decoration and my understanding of that relationship deepened: After all, it’s the details that haunt us in grief.”
https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/arts/2023-12-12/review-ground-floor-theatres-jack-and-aiden/
https://www.broadwayworld.com/austin/article/Review-JACK-AIDEN-at-Ground-Floor-Theatre-20231205
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20231203-review-jack-and-aiden-by-lane-michael-sta/
The Last Five Years (2023)
https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/2022-12-09/review-the-last-five-years/
Sanctuary City (2023)
“This set could represent anywhere or nowhere. There's a sense of brooding about it. It looks like a prison or a random inhabited space in a wasteland. In a sense, it is both.”
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20230529-review-sanctuary-city-by-ground-floor-the/
Dot (2022)
https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/arts/2022-05-19/review-ground-floor-theatres-dot/
https://sunnewsaustin.com/2022/05/16/test/
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20220531-review-dot-by-colman-domingo-ground-floor/
Water by the Spoonful (2022)
“the three-tier spacing of the chat room members nicely frames the action”
Amadeus (2022)
“This all takes place before a looming web of LED tubes that mimic the 18th century European architecture of churches, homes, and palaces. As the action becomes more intense, those light strips glow or vibrate in a variety of colors to provide a haunting visual”
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20220404-review-amadeus-by-penfold-theatre-company/
https://sunnewsaustin.com/2022/04/04/it-will-help-the-ages-to-mourn/
Unexpected Joy (2021)
“The designers and production staff made it all work…placing everyone where they needed to be, as if by magic.”
“All the design elements supported the musical core of the production”
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20211209-review-unexpected-joy-by-ground-floor-the/
https://www.groundfloortheatre.org/_files/ugd/7ccf22_9d796892a3594a6297eb3e780a857ca5.pdf
The Thanksgiving Play (2021)
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20211125-review-the-thanksgiving-play-by-different/
rain falls special on me (2021)
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20210828-review-rain-falls-special-on-me-by-ground/
https://sunnewsaustin.com/2021/08/28/the-perils-of-the-homeless/
Single Black Female (2020)
https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/arts/2020-02-26/review-single-black-female/
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (2019)
https://ktswblog.net/2019/10/01/rosencrantz-and-guildenstern-are-dead-review/
“Gary Thornsberry's set was a feast for the eyes, easily transforming into a stage for the Tragedians to a ship for act three, with well thought out small details and clever set dressings like curtains that turned into a scrim to help act out the play within a play.”
The Importance of Being Earnest (2019)
“The set design by Gary Thornsberry was beautifully done and well thought out for theatre in the round. The elegant love seats were all upholstered in different colors of velvet, and the garden set extended to the area behind the audience with large painted flowers that would put Anthropologie to shame.”
“The scenic design by Gary Thornsberry reflects the elegance of the Victorian era perfectly. The set pieces offer deep colors of yellows, reds, and blues that offer an element of regality to the stage. Flowers enclose the audience, bringing them into the play’s world which only adds to the refinement and grandeur of the show.”
Matilda (2019)
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20190420-review-2-0f-2-matilda-the-musical-by-zach/
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20190413-review-1-of-2-matilda-the-musical-by-zach/
Cabaret (2018)
“The visuals of the ending scene are harrowing. Eibler as the Emcee has lost all his mirth. Dressed in striped prison garb marked with a pink triangle, he turns his back to the audience and walks upstage, disappearing through smoke and swirl into a vast structure that appears constructed of poured concrete. Cliff, standing once again downstage right with luggage and notebook, makes a discovery that leaves him horror-stricken. The technical arts gleam in service to the work as a whole.”
“This warhorse of American musical theatre was up and rearing, not about to give up. A memorable and very twenty-first-century evening”
https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/20181116-review-cabaret-by-texas-state-university/
“Gary Thornsberry's scenic design is top notch, stripping back to bare essentials and it works brilliantly”
“This is not your mother's CABARET and is not even the most recent Broadway tour. This is perhaps the finest, most rethought production of this classic I have ever had the privilege to watch”
https://www.broadwayworld.com/austin/article/BWW-Review-CABARET-Dazzles-at-Texas-State-20181117
“Texas State’s production of "Cabaret" is dark and unsettling, and it provides no solutions for our own dark and unsettling era. What it does, however, is use high-energy theatricality to burn some vital questions into our brains, daring us to care more about ourselves and about each other before we find ourselves dancing at the end of the world.”
https://ktswblog.net/2019/04/09/the-importance-of-being-earnest-review/
Six Women with Brain Death or Expiring Minds Want to Know (2016)
“Gary Thornsberry’s set is a shabby equivalent of Pee Wee’s Playhouse.”
https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2016/dec/06/theater-review-six-women-with-brain-death/
Honors and Grants
2018-2019 B. Iden Payne Award Nomination: Outstanding Production of Musical Theatre, Matilda
2019-2020 B. Iden Payne Award Nomination: Outstanding Production of a Comedy, Single Black Female
2020-2021 B. Iden Payne Award Winner: Outstanding Set Design, rain falls special on me
2023 Young-Howze Theatre Award: Best Musical, The Last Five Years
2023-2024 B. Iden Payne Award Nomination: Outstanding Set Design, Jack & Aiden