”Luck is what happens when                             preparation meets opportunity.”                                                                                        Seneca, Roman dramatist, philosopher, & politician (5 BC - 65 AD)

Skills: Faux Finishing, Backdrops and Murals, Budgeting and Managing, Maintenance and Use of Spraying Equipment (HVLP, Airless, and Airbrush), Sculpting, Plasterwork, Molds and Casting, Hot Knife, Woodworking, Computer Skills, Stained Glass.

Education: Penn State University,

Dual BFA’s, Painting and Theatre.

As a freelance artist (painting and sculpting) for the last 15 years, I've been privileged to be involved in many wonderful projects.  Located in Los Angeles, CA I've had the great fortune of working on two National Historic Register theatre restorations: Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Pantages Theatre both on Hollywood Blvd.. Check out my various murals, backdrops, displays, and museum projects, including the Sesame Street Children's Museum Exhibit.

     Whether being a part of the team or in a leadership role, I continue to pursue challenges in the artistic field, stretching my knowledge of materials and techniques.

Amy Higgins

Charge Scenic Artist 

Objective:        To pursue a creative and challenging career in the arts, utilizing all my skills as a Scenic Artist, as well as combining strong business and management skills.

Building Restoration:

Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, CA 1927. My responsibility on the job included painting exterior details, mural repair, gold leaf ceiling repairs, and sculpting. Sculpting work included cement repairs on the detailed bas-relief  archways and restoring Ming Dynasty marble Heaven Dogs. Molds of foot and handprints for archival purposes.

     2001-

     2006

The Hollywood Palace Theatre, Hollywood, CA. As a team member, painted faux finishes in the mezzanine area, and dramatic colors in the auditorium.

     2004

The Pantages Theatre, Hollywood, CA. Working primarily on the plaster team, I made molds, casted, and sculpted ornamentation to restore the 1930 Art Deco theatre. With a budget of  $1.5 million  for the plastering and painting. Now home of  Disney's, The Lion King.

     2000

Woolworth Building, Hollywood, CA. First retail space on the boulevard. Glazed white tile and multicolored brick needed repairs and a painted finish to match the surrounding areas. From a photograph, I made a stencil design to match the missing details around doorway.

     2001

Hollywood and Ivar, A 1921 gorgeous, terra cotta, ornate building. As part of a two member team, I directed the faux painting of this building while casting and carving much of the missing elements of this facade. 

     2001

Wattles Mansion, 1907 Mission Revival home in the Hollywood Hills. Repaired water damage to textured, muslin covered walls,  restored lounges using appropriate period  colors and materials, as well as exterior stucco repair. (Los Angeles City Historic Cultural Landmark)

     2001-2004

Commercials, Industrials, and Museum Displays:  

Hollywood Heritage Museum , Hollywood , CA. Created and maintained database for artifacts using Filemaker Pro. Created safer storage system for archives.                                                                                             

     2001-2006

Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Motion Picture Collection, Hollywood, CA. Archival research of collection, and project development for the museum.

     2001-2003

Disney Hotel, Anaheim, CA. Fantasy marble effect on six exterior columns at the entrance to the hotel.

     2004

Sesame Street, Strong Museum, Rochester, NY and across the USA. Permanent and touring versions of the thirty-year history of the educational television show told on a recreation of the Children's Television Network Set.

     1999

Time Warner Rochester's locally produced 24 hour 'R-News' cable station background display to mimic MSNBC's 'warehouse' look.

     1999

TV Commercials: Kodak, Time Warner, Wegman's, First National Bank, and Xerox.

     1998+

Kodak Advantix Promotional backdrops for conventions from Las Vegas to New Orleans.

     1998

Detroit Auto Show Tobin's Lakes Studios, painted exhibits for Subaru and Jeep.

     1998

Porcher Bathroom Fixtures, 22' high Grecian Temples out of marbleized styrofoam.

     1997

Memorial Art Gallery, Four, full sized climb-on sets recreated from the illustrator's books.

     1997

East View Mall Grand Opening, Five Broadway themed, durable sets.

     1996

Professional Theatrical Experience:

Geva Theatre, Rochester, NY. LORT B

           Charge Artist for a seven show season

     1994-1999

Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

           Charge Artist for three production summer season

     1997-2001

Utah Shakespeare Festival, Cedar City, UT

           Charge Artist in the Adams Theatre

     1994, 1995  

Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

           Assistant and Charge on various productions

     1993-1994

Penn State University, State College, PA

           Charge Artist and Class Lecturer for the play 'Bedroom Farce'

     1995  

Interlochen Fine Arts Camp, Interlochen, MI

          Scenic Designer and Charge Artist for many productions  

     1992, 1994

Pennsylvania Center Stage, State College, PA

          Assistant and Charge Artist

     1990, 1991, 1993

Education:

Art, Drawing and Painting                   BFA, Pennsylvania State University

Theatre, Design and Painting             BFA, Pennsylvania State University

Additional Skills:

Budgeting and Managing, Faux Finishing, Backdrops and Murals, Maintenance and Use of Spraying Equipment (HVLP, Airless, and Airbrush), 3-D Sculpting, Plasterwork, Molds and Casting, Hot Knife, Woodworking, Computer Skills, Stained Glass.