Designers Confirmed for Black Theatre United Design Expo

The organization Black Theatre United (BTU) has confirmed the designers who will appear at this year's BTU Design Expo, alongside the launch of the new BTU Design Expo App.

Hosted by NYU Tisch School of the Arts, the event will take place on Friday, May 22, from 10am to 6pm at the John A. Paulson Center.

The event brings together leading theatre designers from all disciplines alongside emerging and early-career artists for a day of connection, inspiration, and access. This year, BTU is also spotlighting the essential ancillary artists who support designers and form the backbone of theatrical design teams. It is open to students, faculty, staff, and anyone passionate about theatre.

Confirmed designers and teams include Aurora Productions, Brett Banakis, Beowulf Boritt, Daniel Brodie, David Brian Brown, Robyn Bykofsky, Kirk Cambridge-Del Pesche, Katia Carmichael, Jiyoun Chang, Jeremy Chernick, Alan Edwards, Peggy Eisenhauer, Dan Hanessian, Rachel Hauck, Gabby Irving, Natasha Katz, Hana Sooyeon Kim, David Korins, Scott Lehrer, Frank McCullough, Clifford Schwartz, Anika Seitu, Sightline Productions, Cherice Simmons, Justin Stasiw, Bill Toles, Alejo Vietti, Teresa L. Williams, David Zinn, and more. Panelist attendance may change based on availability.

The lineup includes panel discussions, design demonstrations, small-group conversations, a curated resource session, and an expanded portfolio review. The event will open with special welcome remarks from Tony and Academy Award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell, who will share insights from his groundbreaking career.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. The deadline to register has been extended to Wednesday, May 13.

This year sees the unveiling of the BTU Design Expo App, a digital hub that centralizes schedules and includes curated content to streamline the attendee experience. Features include integrated maps, designer directories, and up-to-date session information. IT will be available for download on the App Store and Google Play before the event.

Founded in 2025 by BTU leaders, the Broadway stage manager Lisa Dawn Cave, sound engineer Carin Ford, and performer Michael McElroy, the BTU Design Expo was created to champion emerging designers and early-career professionals.

BTU's mission is to provide access for up-and-coming Black artists, pathways for art makers, and opportunities for industry professionals historically marginalized within the theater world and beyond. Its founding group includes Lisa Dawn Cave, Darius de Haas, Carin Ford, Capathia Jenkins, LaChanze, Kenny Leon, Norm Lewis, Audra McDonald, Michael McElroy, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Wendell Pierce, Billy Porter, Anna Deavere Smith, Allyson Tucker, Tamara Tunie, Lillias White, NaTasha Yvette Williams, Schele Williams, and Vanessa Williams.

Check out the promo video here.