CTP News

Project Baseplate Alum to Compete on Season 5 of LEGO® Masters

By: Maila Jill Rible 

An alumnus of Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Transformational Play’s Project Baseplate is ready to get her brick on.

Krista Kay, a Steel City LUG LEGO® champion, along with Pittsburgh pal and fellow builder Marcella Spear, will compete against 10 other teams on season 5 of Fox’s LEGO® Masters. 

The reality show pits teams of two LEGO® enthusiasts in head-to-head building challenges involving an unlimited supply of LEGO® bricks. The competing pairs who impress the judges the most progress to the next round. The top teams face off for a cash prize, the ultimate LEGO trophy and the grand title of LEGO® Masters.

Kay, an accomplished builder who has served as a LEGO® Ambassador and had one of her creations displayed at the LEGO® store at Ross Park Mall, says even with her years of experience, the training offered by Project Baseplate made a difference in her approach to sharing her love of all things brick.

“I wanted to do the Brick-By-Brick® facilitator training so that I could help create a better play environment for all builders. I really appreciated the Play Included model and their approach to creating a fun and beneficial environment for all children, including those who are neurodiverse.” 

Project Baseplate developed from the Center for Transformational Play’s relationship with UK-Based Play Included® as the only Advanced Facilitator training partner in the United States for the internationally-acclaimed Brick-by-Brick® program.

Play Included® is the only The LEGO Foundation®-supported program that focuses on social and emotional wellbeing.

The Brick-by-Brick® program creates meaningful, positive experiences for children and youth through collaborative LEGO® building at “Brick Clubs.” The clubs offer a safe, accepting environment where participants can make friends, build confidence, and develop critical social and emotional skills - all while having fun.

Kay, whose day job is as Adjunct Faculty with Community College of Allegheny County, runs a Brick Club at Ross Elementary School and Bellevue Elementary School and assists other clubs, libraries and organizations throughout the city with LEGO®-related activities. It was her involvement with the Pittsburgh LEGO® community that built her relationship with Spear, who she says was the one who spearheaded their audition for the show.

“Marcella and I met through Steel City LUG and we quickly became friends. She's an incredible person and an amazing builder. I applied because Marcella asked if we could do it together. I wanted to be able to support her throughout this amazing opportunity.“

Kay also says that you don’t have to be a master builder yourself to enjoy the show.

“People should watch the show because we're real builders put into very interesting and unique situations. The challenges really push the teams to create new and wonderful creations. Plus, host Will Arnett is a very funny guy and keeps things interesting.”

LEGO Masters Season 5 premieres on Monday, May 19, at 8pm ET on Fox and the next day on Hulu

For More Information 
Maila Rible | 336-906-0103 | mrible@cmu.edu