Karen Root is a conscientious Scenic Designer, who is deeply intuitive, imaginative, and skilled at executing all aspects of her vision. She is uniquely gifted at sharing her ideas with Actors and the Production Team. Her sense of responsibility toward the production and ability to navigate any momentary issue puts her at the top of my recommendation list.
-Marcina Zaccaria, playwright, All About Image/We Are the Elite
SKiLLS
Vectorworks / Digital & Hand rendering (ProCreate, pen, ink, charcoal, watercolor, illustration marker) / Scenic Painting / Scenic Carpentry / Scale Model Construction / Hand Drafting / Carving / Faux Finishing / Mask Making / Casting /
Hand & Machine Sewing / Dying / Theatrical Makeup / Score Reading / Conversational French / Microsoft Office /
Curriculum Development
EDUCATiON & TRAiNiNG
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, TORONTO, ON— HONORS B.A. DRAMA AND ENGLISH, 2001
Graduated summa cum laude
Graduated the top student in the Drama Program
Elected Student Representative for Drama design students, 2000-01
Recipient of 11 awards and scholarships
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, PURCHASE, NY, 2002
Two professional development courses: Watercolor, Life Drawing
SELECTED AWARDS & SCHOLARSHiPS
EMMY NOMINATION FOR KIDS NATURE SERIES:
DISCOVERY CHANNEL, ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE AWESOME
PARENTS CHOICE AWARDS FOR NATURE SERIES:
DISCOVERY KIDS, ZACH'S ULTIMATE GUIDE
THE JOHN WOLFE MCCOLL MEMORIAL AWARD IN DRAMA
Monetary award given for graduating with the highest cumulative grade point average in the Drama Specialist Program
MONTREAL THEATRE FESTIVAL TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to students most likely to pursue a career in theatre
VOLUNTEER WoRK
THEATRE EDUCATION 2005-present
Long-standing commitment to connecting young people with theatre. Design student productions for youth theatre organizations, including Something Good in the World, Penny Lane Players, Child’s Play NY, Core Collaborative, Greenwich Arts Council, T.EA.C.H., and others. Organize Shakespeare workshops, design workshops, and theatre history classes.
FOUNDER, CORE COLLABORATIVE;
GREENWICH, CT, 2013-17
Founded Core Collaborative to provide a rigorous peer learning environment based on core subjects and carefully curated electives, such as Macbeth Scene Study with Child’s Play NY. Presented “How to Make History a Favorite Subject and Why You Should” at the Westchester Education Forum at Manhattanville College, and “Curating Your Kids’ Education” at the Fairfield and Westchester County Homeschool Conference.
CHAIRPERSON, FRIENDS IN AFRICA;
GREENWICH, CT, 2000-13
Frequently traveled to Dakar and surrounding rural areas, spoke at events, raised funds, organized an annual 10k run, and oversaw quarterly two-day medical and dental clinics and feeding programs.
FOR FUN: