Hello! My name is Emily Tao (she/her). In January 2024, I graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts in Film & Digital Media and a minor in Theatre Arts. I also studied abroad in London, U.K. at the University of London, Queen Mary, learning about European arts. I have experience as a carpenter, stagehand, as well as being a light & sound board operator.
I am particularly interested in actively collaborating with directors and fellow passionate designers to bring ideas to life. My organizational skills and open, creative mindset allow me to build unique and engaging props for the film and theatrical industries.
april 2024 - present
carpenter
South Bay Musical Theatre
january 2024 - march 2024
props master
University of California, Santa Cruz
august 2022 - december 2022
Porter College programs assistant
University of California, Santa Cruz
july 2022 - january 2023
entertainment technician
California's Great America
november 2021 - june 2023
Porter College technical crew
University of California, Santa Cruz
assistant stage manager
South Bay Musical Theatre
carpenter, assistant painter, follow spot operator
South Bay Musical Theatre
carpenter, painter, rigger
South Bay Musical Theatre
props master
University of London, Queen Mary
props master
University of California, Santa Cruz
props master
University of California, Santa Cruz
lighting designer
University of California, Santa Cruz
Artistic Director: Walter M. Mayes
Production Manager: Karyn Morton
Director: Doug Greer
Musical Director: George Yefchak
Vocal Director: Kristin Pfeifer
Choreographer: Lee Ann Payne
Set Designer & Scenic Painter: Brett Carlson
Costume Designer: Amanda Seguin
Lighting Designer: Tom Stone
Sound Designer & Special Effects Engineer: Dan Singletary
Hair & Makeup Designer: Y. Sharon Peng
Props Designer: Barbara Heninger
Projections Designer: Don Nguyen
Stage Manager: Quentin Tepliuk
Assistant Stage Manager: Carla McCreight
Photography: Dave Lepori
Master Carpenter: Richard Cartwright
Carpenters: Matt Carey, Emily Tao
Assistant Painter: Emily Tao
Follow Spot Operators: Bob Martin, Emily Tao
Artistic Director: Walter M. Mayes
Production Manager: Karyn Morton
Director: Scott Ludwig
Musical & Vocal Director: David Herberg
Choreographer: Noelle Wilder
Set Designer: Justin Kelley-Cahill
Costume, Hair & Makeup Designer: Y. Sharon Peng
Lighting Designer: Yichun Li
Projections Designer: Don Nguyen
Sound Designer: Dan Singletary
Props Designer: Lucretia Froke
Stage Manager: Haley Quynh Baugher
Assistant Stage Manager: Quentin Tepliuk
Photography: Dave Lepori
Master Carpenter: Richard Cartwright
Carpenters: Matt Carey, Emily Tao
Painters: Laura Parsens, Sanna Symer, Emily Tao
Riggers: Rachel Katin, Emily Tao, Matt Vandercook
Writer, Director & Producer: Celine Parreñas Shimizu
Producer: Janet Chen (Ma)
Co-Producer: Priya Vashist
Director of Photography: Jacqueline Chan
Production Designer: Chantal Trazo
Costume Designer: Pamela Rodríguez-Montero
Production Sound Mixer: Nhung Nguyen
Editor: Jing Niu
Post-Production Sound Editor, Re-Recorder & Mixer: Rosa Sungjoo Park
Composer: Theodore S. Gonzalves
Makeup Artist: Carla Grace Fajardo
Production Manager & First Assistant Director: Marnie Salvani
Set Designer: Kairo Chin
Props Master: Emily Tao
Lighting Designers: Adrian Warren & Emily Tao
Photography: Stephen Louis Marino
Playwright: Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig
Director: Rebecca Wear
Assistant Director & Choreographer: Madi Lang-Ree
Scenic & Costume Designer: Pamela Rodriguez-Montero
Lighting & Projection Designer: David Lee Cuthbert
Sound Designer: Cassidy Carlson
Assistant Sound Designer: Kairo Chin
Props Master: Emily Tao
Toy Theatre Designer: Stephen Migdal
Dragon Designer: Elliot White
Fight Choreographer: Noah Lucé
Stage Managers: Maddy Khachadoorian & Sabrina Fogel
Photography: Steve DiBartolomeo
Designed & constructed in collaboration with Elliot White.
The dragon head is operated by two actors, each holding onto their respective pole. Both poles are securely attached to the top of the dragon head. The lower jaw has a horizontal bar that allows the front operator to open and close the jaw. The sides of the face, mouth and nostrils allow the two individuals to view their surroundings while inside.
The dragon body consists of three actors: two hold the spine and the third controls the tail.
The book was painted a dark blue color and gold vinyl decorations were added to the cover and spine. Pages were added to the front of the book, allowing actors to "flip through" the constitution.
Director: Serena Jones
Musical Director: Jasmin Rodriguez
Lighting Designer: Mitchell Babcock
Sound Designer: Izzy Pedego
Costume Designer: Grace Vinyard
Props Master: Emily Tao
Stage Manager: Katie Peck
Photography: Stephen Louis Marino
Director: Sloane Morton
Sound Designer: Asta Baker
Assistant Sound Designer: Izzy Pedego
Costume Designer: Celeste Lagrange
Lighting Designer: Emily Tao
Makeup Designer: Maddy Khachadoorian
Stage Manager: Ashley Wrenn A.
Photography: Stephen Louis Marino
