In Memoriam: Lynn Pecktal

Lynn Pecktal, renowned costume/set designer, author, and teacher, passed away August 28, 2016 in New York.

Pecktal began his career in set design at Robert Virginia's Porterfield's Barter Theatre, at the same time he was studying at Emory & Henry College as an undergrad (he would later be awarded a spot on Barter Theatre's "Walk of Fame" for designing the sets for over 100 shows). His graduate work included stage design at the Yale School of Drama.

Pecktal went on to design the settings for the sound and light show at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.; Lucia di Lammermoor in Santiago, Chile; Don Pasquale and Naughty Marietta for Cleveland Opera Company; and The Music Man for Jones Beach Theatre on Long Island. From 1977 to 1981, he served as scenery supervisor on several Broadway productions, including Dracula, The Crucifer of Blood, Gorey Stories, Bosoms and Neglect, Harold and Maude, and Home. For Dracula, Pecktal was awarded a Maharam Award (now known as the Henry Hewes Design Awards).

Pecktal was also an accomplished costume designer. In 1978, his costumes were featured in the world premiere of Tennessee Williams' Tiger Tail at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta.

Pecktal taught stage design at the North Carolina School of the Arts and Carnegie Mellon University, and lectured at several universities. He left behind three books, Costume Design: Techniques of Modern Masters, Designing and Painting for the Theatre, and Designing and Drawing for the Theatre.

In 2012, Pecktal was awarded the TDF/Irene Sharaff Artisan Award.