Kathryn Olsen
East Peoria,IL
Summary
Theatre major and lifelong painter with three years of hands-on scenic painting experience across five university productions. Comfortable working at scale, under deadline, and with limited resources. A fast, adaptable worker who learned by doing and whose portfolio shows it.
Overview
1
1
year of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Scenic Painter
Student Work Opportunity Program, Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, USA
01.2025 - 05.2026
- Contributed scenic painting to three mainstage productions across a range of styles, from realist drama to large-scale fantasy design.
- Painted across a variety of surfaces including flats and large fabric drops.
- Implemented color schemes that aligned with production themes.
- Researched historical styles to inform design choices for productions.
- Collaborated with directors, producers and other members of the production team in order to ensure quality results were achieved within budget constraints.
- Developed hands-on skills in paint shop procedures.
- Cleaned and properly stored paint equipment and supplies at the end of each workday.
- Documented progress and provided estimated completion time for clients.
Scenic Painter
Franciscan University's Musical Theatre Troupe
Steubenville, USA
11.2025 - 04.2026
- Collaborated with directors to realize artistic vision in scenic designs.
- Used sparse resources to create scenery elements.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH 08.2024 - 05.2026
Chesterton Academy of The Sacred Heart
East Peoria, ILSkills
- Acrylic
- Oil
- Color mixing
- Large-scale artwork
- Hand-painted lettering and signage
- Adobe Photoshop
- Comfortable working at heights
- Able to lift 50 lbs
- Budget management
- Resourceful within tight production budgets
- Naturally fast worker
Additional Artistic Work
- 6 professional commissions including acrylic work for private clients.
- Multiple original works selected for public display at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Production Credits
- Paid, Student Work Opportunity Program, The Miracle Worker, Scenic Painter, 03/24, The Barber of Seville, Scenic Painter, 09/24, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Scenic Painter, 03/25
- Volunteer, Musical Theatre Troupe, Franciscan University, Fiddler on the Roof, Scenic Painter, 09/25, Little Women, Scenic Painter, 03/26
Timeline
Scenic Painter
Franciscan University's Musical Theatre Troupe
11.2025 - 04.2026
Scenic Painter
Student Work Opportunity Program, Franciscan University of Steubenville
01.2025 - 05.2026
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre
Franciscan University of Steubenville
08.2024 - 05.2026
Chesterton Academy of The Sacred Heart