Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 2012 - 27

Howard Brandston (USITT Distinguished Achievement in Lighting) studied theatrical
illumination at Brooklyn College and began his career in lighting in the New York theatre. Prior
to founding his own firm in 1966, he was a designer at several manufacturing and lighting design
firms including Century Lighting Inc., where he served as assistant to Stanley McCandless, one of
the pioneer figures in lighting design.
Brandston has more than fifty years experience in lighting design, engineering, and
electronics, designing illumination for more than 2,500 commercial, institutional, residential,
and governmental projects.
He was given two major awards in 1999. For his contributions to architecture, Brandston
received the AIA Institute Honor Award. Also, for his outstanding leadership in the lighting
industry, he received the Illuminating Engineering Society Medal, its highest honor. He is the just
the fourth designer to be so recognized by the IES.
In 1992 Brandston was included in the Interior Design Hall of Fame, the only lighting
designer ever to be awarded this honor. He was honored as an initial inductee of the Lighting
Design Hall of Fame and also received the International Association of Lighting Designers Lifetime
Achievement Award. He is one of six people in the one-hundred-year history of the IES who has
received all the highest honors awarded by the Society. Also in 2006 the Richard Kelly Award was
presented to Brandston for his outstanding contributions to education.
He has been a guest lecturer or visiting professor at several colleges and universities.
His book, Learning to See, A Matter of Light, was released in 2008 and has received
numerous positive reviews worldwide.

Dana Nye (USITT Distinguished Achievement in Costume Design & Technology) is president
of Ben Nye Makeup and worked as a professional makeup artist. He is the youngest son of Ben
Nye Sr. noted as one of Hollywood's most prominent makeup artists.
Nye earned his BA degree in business administration at the University of the Pacific in 1969.
After a year of graduate study, he joined his father directing the marketing efforts of the fledgling
Ben Nye Company
He became president of the Ben Nye Company in 1975. He oversees all phases of operations
including production, product development, sales, and marketing. He still relies on his father's original,
unique formulas as the basis for creating realistic and practical products vital to the entertainment
industry.
Nye frequently travels domestically and abroad to introduce new products to dealers and
end users. Trips include visits with opera wig masters, studio makeup artists, and instructors. His
travels frequently include college lectures to educate both instructors and students on theatrical
makeup techniques. He produced a popular video series widely used in the educational market.
The series was rereleased in 2008 on DVD and includes updated tips and closed-captioning.
Nye worked professionally as a makeup artist for over thirty years, serving as makeup artist
for hundreds of television commercials. One of his last jobs was on the popular Paramount
television show Fraser. Because of the growth of the business and an expanding product line, he
now devotes his time to the Ben Nye Company.
As president, he has continued to expand the Ben Nye product line. He often consults with working
makeup artists and instructors to ensure that the needs of these professionals are met.
Under Dana Nye's direction, the Ben Nye Company now offers the widest scope of specialty
makeup for the professional market today, and it has become one of the largest manufacturers of
professional cosmetics in the world.
spring

2012

theatre design

& technology

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 2012