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Purdue Alum Receives Distinguished National Achievement

Eileen Smitheimer, 2019 Distinguished Achievement Award in Sound Design and Technology

Purdue Theatre Alum (’84) Eileen Smitheimer will receive the 2019 Distinguished Achievement Award in Sound Design and Technology from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT).

The Distinguished Achievement Awards honor individuals who have established meritorious careers in specific fields of expertise in any area of design or technology in the performing arts or entertainment industry. Areas of achievement include but are not limited to disciplines represented by the Commissions of USITT, scenic design, lighting design, sound design, technical direction, costume design & technology, theatre architecture, theatrical consulting, production management, stage or arts management, entertainment technology, education, or a convergence of these disciplines.

Smitheimer is a theater professional and educator focusing on sound and lighting design. She has been designing and assistant designing for more than 30 years across the United States and Europe.

Eileen served for 22 years as the head of audio for the Professional Theatre Training Program, the former graduate theatre conservatory at the University of Delaware (UD). Currently, she is an associate professor in UD’s Department of Theatre, as well as resident sound designer and sound supervisor for the Resident Ensemble Players, the university’s professional theatre company.

Eileen has been an active member of the USITT Sound Commission for 35 years, either presenting at the Annual Conference, including several sessions on “Women in Audio,” or overseeing the student volunteers for sound lab. She is a proud member of TSDCA and the OISTAT Sound Design Group.