Judy Dearing Student Design Competition, 2025
The Judy Dearing Student Design Competition is presented in memory of distinguished costume designer Judy Dearing. Judy Dearing (1940–1995) was an African American costume designer, dancer, choreographer and educator. She is most well-known for costumes that covered a wide range of theatre and musical productions, including Charles Fuller‘s Pulitzer Prize winning drama A Soldier’s Play and Ntozake Shange‘s for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf.
The purpose of this competition is:
- To encourage design students of African descent and present an opportunity to have their work evaluated by professional designers and other theatre professionals.
- To provide opportunities for mentorship and develop relationships with professionals in their field.
- To expose them to producers and Artistic Directors from theatres nationwide.
The winners will have the opportunity to exhibit their work at the Black Theatre Network (BTN) Conference in Los Angeles, CA, July 24-27, 2025.
Prize:
A cash prize of $500.00 will be presented in each category (Sets, Costumes, Lighting and Sound).
Each winner will also be the guest of BTN for two nights at the BTN conference where they will present their work.
Additionally, each winner will be granted one-year BTN membership, and mentoring by a professional.
The competition is open to all graduate and undergraduate students of African descent enrolled in American colleges and Universities.
- Application Deadline: April 15, 2025
- Awards announced May 15, 2025
Application requirements:
Scenery:
- Two productions (at least one produced), ground plan, section, elevations, etc., using VectorWorks or AutoCAD. Sketch/rendering or model photo, research, and statement of design approach.
- Production photos
- One page resume
Costume:
- Two productions (at least one produced) full production color renderings with fabric, research, and statement of design approach.
- Production photos
- One page resume
Lighting:
- Two productions (at least one produced) using VectorWorks or AutoCAD, ground plan,
- section, paperwork, research notes, magic sheet, and statement of design approach.
- Production photos
- One page resume
Sound:
- Two productions (at least one produced) using VectorWorks or AutoCAD, research, sound plots, cue sheets, composed music scores
- Playable samples (3 per show) which should also include production photos of the corresponding cues
- One page resume
General: All Drawings, renderings and documents should be sent as PDF files, all production photos should be sent as JPGs. Total file should be no larger than 15mb. Additionally, if you have a website, please include the link. All entries should be submitted no later than 12 midnight April 15, 2025 to judydearing2025@gmail.com.