Elizabeth "Biz" Nelson is currently the Head of Theatre Design at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, TX. She received her MFA in Scenography from the University of Kansas and a BA in Theatre from Northwestern College. Nelson has over 10 years of experience in scenic and costume design, stage management, and technical theatre for universities and theaters across the United States. She regularly designs and works on productions while mentoring students in design.

1. ElizabethElizabethElizabethElizabeth “Biz” Nelson“Biz” Nelson“Biz” Nelson“Biz” Nelson
E-MAIL Elizabeth.nelson@tvcc.edu
Education
2007-2010 – M.F.A Scenography – University of Kansas – Lawrence, KS
2003-2007 – B.A. Theatre – Northwestern College – Orange City, IA
Employment History
Head of Theatre Design – Fall 2011 to Present – Trinity Valley Comm. College – Athens, TX
• Instruct students in basic design courses
• Mentor students in design and technical production assignments
• Design set, costume, light for productions
Show Call– Winter 2014 – Texas Performing Arts Center Bass Concert Hall– Austin, TX
• Dresser for War Horse
Show Call– Winter 2013 – Texas Performing Arts Center Bass Concert Hall– Austin, TX
• Replacement Dresser for Memphis
Scenic Charge – Summer 2012 – Creede Repertory Theatre – Creede, CO
• Communicating with designers
• Overseeing artistic aspects of scenery
• Managing paint and paint supplies stock
Scenic Charge – Summer 2011 – Creede Repertory Theatre – Creede, CO
• Communicating with designers
• Overseeing artistic aspects of scenery
• Managing paint and paint supplies stock
Guest Costume Designer – Spring 2011 - University of Kansas – Lawrence, KS
• Provide costume designs for spring opera of Hansel and Gretal
• Provide completed renderings for the approval of the director and working renderings for
the shop
• Attend all production meetings
• Attend all Technical and Dress rehearsals

2. Sound Board Operator – Spring 2011 – Unicorn Theatre – Kansas City, MO
• Run and maintain sound operations for the production Two Jews Walk Into a War
Show Call– Winter 2010 – Texas Performing Arts Center Bass Concert Hall– Austin, TX
• Laundry for Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
• Maintenance calls
Stage Supervisor – Fall 2010 – Kansas City Repertory Theatre – Kansas City, MO
• Responsible for working with the T.D., the Set Designers and the Stage Management
Staff in finding workable solutions for scenic and shifting problems
• Responsible for working with the Stage Managers and Designers on planning scene
changes
• Responsible for the stage crew running Harriet Jacobs
• Maintain set and technical aspects and areas during the run of the show
Set Designer & Scenic Charge – Summer 2010 – Creede Repertory Theatre – Creede, CO
• Set Designer for The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite
• Communicating with designers
• Overseeing artistic aspects of scenery
• Managing paint and paint supplies stock
Graduate Teaching Assistant – 2009-2010 – University of Kansas – Lawrence, KS
• Teaching discussion sections
• Acting as liaison between student and lead professor
• Participating in the construct of the class
• Taking on a occasion performing and lecturing in main lecture hall
• Grading mid-term, final, and performance group projects
Scenic Charge & Carpenter – Summer 2009 – Creede Repertory Theatre – Creede, CO
• Construction of scenery
• Communicating with designers
• Overseeing artistic aspects of scenery
• Maintaining shop facilities
Technical Director (Inge Theatre) - 2007-2009 – University of Kansas – Lawrence, KS
• Maintaining the Inge Theatre space and supporting spaces
• Overseeing paper tech, tech rehearsals, and dress rehearsals
• Overseeing safety issues and fire code issues
• General technical troubleshooting

3. Event Stage Manager – Fall 2007 – Priests of Pallas Ball – Kansas City, MO
• Pre-event organization of performers and technical equipment
• Responsible for over 40 performers
• Starting the event’s festivities
• Keeping constant communication between event coordinators, performers, and
technicians throughout the duration
Stage Apprentice – Summer 2007 – Santa Fe Opera – Santa Fe, NM
• Maintenance and upkeep of stage area
• Running shows, participating in changeovers, and maintenance of scenery
• Special duties include: Leading stage apprentices during focuses
• Apprentice scenes duties included acting as an assistant technical coordinator
Paint Charge – 2006-2007 – Northwestern College – Orange City, IA
• In charge of paint crews
• Paint elevations and samples
• Maintaining paint area
Lighting Technician – 2005-2006 – Northwestern College – Orange City, IA
• Maintain and repair all lighting equipment and areas
• Be available for show master electrician to answer questions and trouble shoot
• Hang, focus, cable, and program lights and lighting equipment for events
Stage Apprentice – Summer 2005 – Santa Fe Opera – Santa Fe, NM
• Maintenance and upkeep of stage area
• Running shows, participating in changeovers, and maintenance of scenery
• Apprentice scenes duties included props paint
Multi-Cultural Theatre Initiative Production Experience
Light Designer – Spring 2010 – House of Atreus
Set Designer – Spring 2009 – In Darfur
Costume Designer – Winter 2009 – For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When
the Rainbow is Enuf
University of Kansas Production Experience
Set and Costume Designer – Fall 2009 – Glass Menagerie
Light Designer – Spring 2009 – Anna in the Tropics
Set Designer – Fall 2008 – Book of Days
Costume Designer – Spring 2008 – Twelfth Night
Assistant Costume Designer – Fall 2007 – Music Man

4. Northwestern College Production Experience
Set Designer – Spring 2007 – Measure for Measure
Assistant Director/Dramaturg – Winter 2006 – Gone to Earth
Set Designer – Winter 2006 – James Joyce’s The Dead
Dramaturg – Winter 2005 – Sky Girls
Assistant Puppet Fabricator – Fall 2005 – David and Goliath
Dramaturg – Spring 2005 – Galileo
Assistant Lightning Designer – Winter 2005 – Copenhagen
Assistant Scenic Designer – Winter 2004 – Odyssey
Theatrical Awards
American Student Exhibitor Prague Quadrennial – 2010 – Book of Days – University of Kansas
Second Place Regional Lighting Design KCACTF Competition – 2010 – Elektra – University of
Kansas
KCACTF Region V Barbizon Scenic Winner – 2007 – James Joyce’s The Dead – Northwestern
College
Scholastic Awards
Junior Scholar – 2006-2007 – History
Worked with Professor Michael Kugler, PhD researching the historical and philosophical
relevance of the anti-theatrical movement during the Enlightenment in Great Britain and the
comparison between the stage and the pulpit
References
Craig Lee
Trinity Valley Community College – Head of Acting
Del Unruh
University of Kansas – Scenography, Design Theory
Henry Bial
University of Kansas – Graduate Director, Theatre History and Criticism
Jessica Jackson
Creede Repertory Theatre – Artistic Director