During April-July 2025, I'm employed at the Santa Fe Opera as a Props Crafts Journeyman. I'm the craftsperson for The Marriage of Figaro, and am aiding with build and repairs for other shows for the season. This is my third summer with the Santa Fe Opera, and I'm very excited to be returning. These are some projects that I'm currently working on.
HUNG! A New Western Comedy (2024)
Props Designer / Scenic Design / Playwright
Ember Theatre Company
HUNG! is a show that I had written while in college and was luckily produced as a staged reading/semi-production my senior semester at NMSU. I assisted in many of the design elements, mainly scenic and prop design. We had a lot of challenges, and a little under a month to make the play happen, but it was a wonderful experience. I was so happy to be able to film the second performance and upload it on Youtube. Many of the props were holsters, bottles, an assortment of revolver's (from toys to replicas), and glasses. The set was extremely tricky, as it was a 20+ person cast in a room that was about 30 feet wide. However, we managed to fit four tables, a bar, a piano, a central playing space, and an implied "upstairs" without causing major sightline issues.
The link to watch HUNG! A New Western Comedy: https://youtu.be/Zp5btY9fGBs?si=qs2s8kDq0ut8Kf1P
Mother Courage and Her Children (2024)
Props Designer / Asst. Scenic Design
American Southwest Theatre Co./ NMSU
For NMSU's 2024 production of Mother Courage and Her Children, I served as the prop designer and the assistant scenic designer. This show had some very fun and exciting builds, like a large cannon and an axe that was made out of wood. I worked with scenic designer and professor Aaron Krohn to learn about this scenic design process and collaborate on the large amounts of set decorating that this show required. Other fun projects from this show included three custom made leather sheaths, a nasty chicken that needed to be plucked on stage, and a vile piece of mystery meat.
The Santa Fe Opera's 2024 season includes La Traviata, Don Giovanni, The Righteous, Der Rosenkavalier, and The Elixir of Love. I designed, repaired, and built many items for all of these shows during my time at the Santa Fe Opera during the summer of 2024.
Highlights include snack trays (Mini-quiches, hors d'oeuvres, crackers with cream cheese and sun-dried tomatoes) for The Righteous, a holiday roast beef and many pillows for Don Giovanni, some floral arrangments I put together, and some soft goods projects (upoholstery, paper props, etc.) One skill I proved this summer was my paint-matching. This can be seen as I blend in some canvas patches on old foam chickens, as well as crafting and painting a new leg for a wedding cake topper for The Elixir of Love.
Carmela: Full of Wishes (2023)
Props Designer
American Southwest Theatre Co./ NMSU
For NMSU's 2023 production of Carmelea: Full of Wishes, I built some oversized fake foods as well as a giant magical vending machine. I worked with scenic and lighting designer Aaron Krohn to create a sense of magic and wonder. By utilising unnatural sizes and bright colors, the production had an overall sense of appeal for children, which was the intention.
During the Santa Fe Opera's 2023 season, I was primarily on the Props Run Crew (Tosca, Rusalka). However, during the apprentice scenes I was able to work in the crafts shop. I assisted with making a handful of smaller props, and was able to showcase my skills enough to be brought back as a Props Crafts Apprentice the following season.
Hookman (2022)
Props Designer
American Southwest Theatre Co./ NMSU
I was the property designer for ASTC's production of Hookman in 2022. In this position, I attended weekly production meetings, sourced and designed all props, and collaborated with the scenic designer to decorate the set. The most challenging portion of this production was designing the Hookman's hook, but I would now consider it to be one of my largest successes. My favorite unique prop from this show is the blood pen I created, which had the ability to squirt blood onto the performer twice, on command both times.
Big Frog (2022)
Props Designer
American Southwest Theatre Co./ NMSU
I was the assistant prop designer for Big Frog, so my main task was assisting Chloe Cappuccilli (Prop/ Costume Designer) in constructing the large frog puppet. I was also in charge of the puppet's handling during shows. I also helped create labels for some of the drinks used on stage.
The Yellow Wallpaper (2022)
Props Designer
Ember Theatre Co./ Blank Conversations Theatre Co.
Although the scale of this show was smaller than usual, it still presented me with many unique challenges. I needed a vase that was capable of striking someone in the head without hurting the actor being struck, while still holding flowers upright for the duration of the show. I created lots of labels for small glass medicine bottles. Designing and building without a shop or prop storage made this show a fresh challenge.
Non-Show Projects during College (2021-2024)
Misc. Projects from High School
Leather Armor
Personal Project
I have crafted a wide variety of leather goods, including belts, armor, holsters, and handles. My leathercrafting skills also include patterning, stitching, and wet molding.
During this time in my life, I was making a lot of items from video games that I liked. Most of the materials I used were sourced from the mysterious pile of scrap wood in my back yard (left behind by previous home owners) or were found on the street (such as the aluminum sign the Blade of Chaos was made out of). Sadly, I didn't take nearly as many progression photos as I should've. At the time, I had no clue what I was going to do professionally!
Finn's Sword from Adventure Time
High School Show Designs
Bonnie & Clyde
Prop Designer
LimeLight Theatre Co.
This foam and PVC shotgun was created for LimeLight Theatres' Bonnie & Clyde. I cut layers of the foam to match the silhouette, shaped it down, and painted it. For the barrels, I used 3/4 inch PVC and halved rubber balls to create the round end.
Puffs
Prop Designer
Mesquite High School
In my junior year of Highschool, I co-directed and prop-designed for our school production of Puffs. Photographed are some of the wands that were hand-carved for this show.
Little Shop Of Horrors
Prop Designer
Mesquite High School
For my high school's production of Little Shop of Horrors, I was tasked with creating the small versions of Audrey 2 and repainting the large Audrey 2 to make it look better. My budget was entirely out of my own pocket, so I used the cheapest materials that would work.
The small Twoey didn't need to do much, so it was minimal. The puppeteer was meant to be wearing a green sleeve.
The medium-size Twoey gets some more stage time and so I designed it to be just as operational and light-weight while still fitting in my budget and skillset at the time.
The largest Twoey has the original paint job on the bottom jaw still, allowing my vision to be compared.