Graduate Spotlight

Tianshu (Shu) Liu, MFA Theatre: Scenic Design, 2020

Tianshu (Shu) Liu (MFA Scenic Design, 2020) has finished her studies in the Purdue University Department of Theatre. Shu received her BFA in production design from University of Essex, as well as a diploma in acting from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Her beautiful aesthetic and warm, friendly nature have been a constant in the department for the last three years, and she will be missed!

Shu is a prolific artist, having designed 31 productions in China, Singapore, and the United States and is a standing member of the China Art Association. During her time at Purdue, Shu has designed the scenery for Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches, Next to Normal, and The Beaux’ Stratagem; and as the assistant scenic designer for the PMO Christmas Show. Additionally, she designed the scenery for the Purdue University Fort Wayne’s production of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.  

For her MFA terminal project, Shu’s design for Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches was an expansive design that transformed in a variety of ways to accommodate more than 20 different scenes in the epic play. The design had an architectural feel, emphasizing urban environments and monolithic settings. 

As a graduate teaching assistant, Shu was a regular and valued teacher of THTR 160: Intro to Scenic Design. She was a great help in engaging the lab students in the properties and paint shops, where her enthusiasm shone.

Shu’s artistic nature expresses naturally in other areas. She creates beautiful posters, artwork, and costume and properties designs; her work communicates wonderfully on both stage and screen. She looks to work in both film and theatre professionally.

We look forward to seeing what Shu creates in the future – in the meantime, please enjoy her expansive portfolio at www.tianshuliudesign.com. Congratulations, Shu!