John Zuiker works on the set of the 2024 Oscars, as art director, for which he won an Emmy Award.
Behind the Scenes, Ahead of the Curve
CMU Drama Alumni Build Creative Careers — and Community — on the West Coast
School of Drama
written by
Shannon Musgrave
While Carnegie Mellon School of Drama is renowned for launching countless careers on Broadway, an impressive number of its alumni have found dynamic, behind-the-scenes success on the West Coast — shaping film, television and live entertainment through cutting-edge design and production work. Armed with rigorous training and a collaborative spirit, CMU alumni bring artistry and precision to high-profile projects across Hollywood and beyond. But what truly sets them apart is the close network they form — supporting each other professionally and personally, and ensuring that each new wave of graduates is met with open doors, practical guidance and a strong sense of community.
Alumni like John Shaffner and Joe Stewart set the stage (literally). After graduating in the late 1970s and giving New York City a try, the couple decided to make the trek west and launched prolific careers in production design and art direction. Together, they created the now legendary set of the hit TV show “Friends,” and designed numerous other television and awards shows. They forged a path that many Tartans have since taken, creating vibrant careers on the West Coast.
Fellow scenic design alums Alana Billingsley and Kristen Merlino followed suit. They were a year apart during their time at CMU, but Billingsley said from their very first production assignment together, she could see Merlino’s diligence and attention to detail. Merlino agrees that the two share a similar work ethic and creative philosophy. They both moved to LA following graduation, and after 10 years of independent careers in art direction, the two joined forces to create Paperweight Inc. — an art department collaborative with a unique focus on well-managed project execution.
Billingsley described the venture as a daydream come true.
“We imagined having a shared studio with an office assistant eager to learn the ropes, a research library and a room full of material samples — many of the things we loved about college! In 2017, after a few years of casual collaboration and with the support of a few key mentors in the business, we officially joined forces. Our first hire was an eager young CMU grad who still works with us to this day.”
"We were excited to create something larger than what either of us could achieve as individuals. And we wanted to find a way to provide a new type of service to our clients, while also creating an environment that fosters training new talent."
Kristen Merlino
They’ve worked with alumni including Lex Gernon-Wyatt, John Zuiker and Jenny Gould to design some of television’s biggest awards shows, including the Grammy Awards, MTV Music Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards and Academy Awards. Collectively, they’ve received five Emmy Awards and more than 25 Emmy nominations for their work.
In the world of lighting design, CMU alumni including Dan Efros, Drew Findley, Will Gossett, Hannah Kerman, Jasmine Lesane, Noah Mitz and Ryan Tanker have illuminated some of Hollywood’s highest profile events — from awards shows like the Oscars and the Grammys to televised productions like “Dancing with the Stars” and major arena concerts. These productions demand not only creative vision but also technical expertise and the ability to collaborate under pressure, often in real time. For lighting departments, LA-based events offer unique opportunities to experiment with scale, technology and storytelling on a national — and sometimes global — stage, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in live entertainment.
Sound design graduates have also found success in Hollywood. Milo Train works for NBCUniversal as a re-recording mixer, balancing dialogue, music and sound effects in post-production to create a cohesive soundtrack for film and television projects. Emma Present works as dialogue editor. Her work on Netflix’s “All the Light We Cannot See” earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special. Early this year, Present received a Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Documentary for her work on Amazon Prime’s “The Blue Angels.”
Train and Present have each served as the two most recent presidents of the West Coast Drama Alumni Community (WCDAC) — the School of Drama’s official organization for West Coast-based alumni. Each year, WCDAC hosts Showcase & Expo — a four-day visit to Los Angeles where the current graduating class participates in industry-facing events including studio tours, one-on-one meetings with professionals and various networking opportunities.
These gatherings serve as more than just introductions; they’re the first step into a well-established network of alumni who are eager to welcome, mentor and connect new grads. From portfolio reviews to job referrals, the CMU community in LA plays a crucial role in helping emerging designers, directors, writers and production artists navigate the industry and find their footing in a competitive landscape.
“For many of us Showcase/Expo was our first in-person exposure to the world of film and TV,” said Train. “It marked a turning point in our lives where an entirely new industry and city became part of our experience.”
And if anyone is up for the challenge of new experiences, it is a CMU grad.
"Curiosity and bravery are two traits that I think many CMU alumni have in common. They don’t assume they know everything and are unafraid to ask questions to learn more."
Alana Billingsley
Merlino agrees.
“We have found CMU alumni to have an eagerness to learn, as well as a true love for live theatrical environments,” she said. “That combination is ideal for any member of our team working in the field of live productions.”
Rooted in a shared foundation of rigorous training, diligent work ethic, and commitment to curiosity and community, School of Drama alumni have not only built successful careers out west, but also formed a tight-knit network that continues to welcome and support the next generation.
“We have made this place home, and in turn it has given us careers, families, friendship and community,” said Train. “We all feel some debt to this West Coast community and love sharing this place with new graduates.”
featuring the following:
Oscars images courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
