Meet Tammy

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Tammy is a scenic designer, scenic artist, and educator currently based in West Virginia. In 2022, she joined West Virginia University's School of Theatre & Dance as an Associate Professor after serving at Kent State University's School of Theatre and Dance as an Associate Professor of Scenic Design prior to that she was the Head of Design at Western Illinois University's Department of Theatre & Dance for two years. In Tammy’s career as an educator, she has taught both full- and part-time at a variety of universities ranging from 2-year programs to 4-year conservatory programs. She was an Assistant Professor at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota; a Visiting Assistant Professor of Scene Design at University of Cincinnati CCM, Denison University, and Wilmington College; Full-Time Faculty Associate at Wright State University; a guest artist and instructor Miami University, Xavier University, and Sinclair Community College.

She is a native Ohioan with a B.A. degree in Theatre from Wilmington College of Ohio. Tammy earned her Master of Fine Arts in Scenic Design from West Virginia University. Tammy is an active member of United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) at both the regional and national level. Tammy recently served as the Vice President of Education & Training. Currently, she is the chair of USITT's Women in Theatre Affinity Group. Being involved in the various facets of USITT has helped her become a better educator, designer, and professional. Tammy is also a member of USA Local 829 as a scenic designer.

Tammy's designs have earned awards and recognition regionally, nationally, and internationally. Her work has been showcased in World Stage Design 2013 & 2022 digital gallery, the USA-USITT Prague Quadrennial Digital Gallery Exhibit (along with her student’s work), USITT, and USITT Ohio Valley’s Peggy Ezekiel Board’s Choice Exhibit. Tammy’s designs have been seen on stages from New York City (Off Broadway) to the Midwest. In September 2022, she designed the world premiere-Off Broadway show The Memory Exam.
She enjoys designing theatre for young audiences and has designed 10 productions for the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's Educational Touring Company. Other projects include the scenic design are An Evening with Groucho for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (now available on DVD and PBS), 42nd Street for Wright State University, Merchant of Venice at Cleveland Play House, Crowns for the Human Race Theatre, and La Cenerentola for University of Cincinnati CCM, and the Midwest premiere productions of Gloria: A Life!, Managing MaxineLombardi, and Becky's New Car for the Human Race Theatre Company. She has designed the world-premiere productions of Family Ties and Banned From. Baseball at the Human Race Theatre Company.

In addition to designing scenery, Tammy has been a scenic artist for River City Scenic and 3dx Scenic Studios where she was also a project manager. Examples of her painting talents have been cruising the world on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, and on display at various corporate theatre events including the Longaberger conventions. Most recently, Tammy and a student team at Kent State painted a nearly full-scale 3D-printed replica of Pio Fedi’s Liberty of Poetry which was on display at the Ellis Island National Immigration Museum.
  • Scenic Designer
  • Scenic Artist
  • Props

    Scenic Artisan
  • Educator
Scenic Designer
Scenic Artist
Props Designer/Artisan
Educator

The Book

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The Fake Food Cookbook: Props You Can’t Eat for Theatre, Film, and TV contains step by step instructions on how to create the most realistic prop food for a theatrical production. From appetizers such as oysters on a half shell and chicken wings, entrees such as lobster and honey-glazed ham, to desserts, breakfasts, and even beverages, every meal is covered in this how-to guide. Full color images of each step and finished products illustrate each recipe, along with suggestions for keeping the budget for each project low. Safety Data Sheets and links to informative videos are hosted on a companion website.

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Testimonials

“Professor is a highly effective teacher…Tammy has the ability to translate her expertise into significant learning experiences for students. Her feedback was insightful and modeled a growth mindset exceptionally well. Professor Honesty’s courses are highly conducive to learning. Recognizing the individuality of her students is a tremendous strength that Professor Honesty brings to her teaching.”

-Dr. Jennifer Marcinkiewicz, Director of Center for
Teaching and Learning, Kent State University (Peer Observation 2019)

“This was easily one of the most engaged and welcoming classrooms I have EVER been in.”

—THEA 21621 Scene Painting Fall 2020

“Everyone in the class was treated with respect. Tammy even led how we addressed each other by making sure
our personal pronouns were known and respected. Everyone in the class followed Tammy's example of a friendly
and respectful environment.”

—THEA 21621 Scene Painting Fall 2020

"She was always available during class time and outside of class time to ask questions. She made sure everyone was comfortable and confident while learning."

—Anonymous

“We were given class time to work on some projects and she gave us great advice when we asked for it. She also
allowed us to come up with our own solutions and built off that to give us chances to learn.”

–THEA 21622 Scene Design Fall 2020

"We had clear instructions and clear rubrics that aided us in understanding. She also took time to explain things in a
different way if necessary to help us better understand."

—THEA 21621 Scene Painting

“We were given open-ended assignments to approach in a number of ways, so we had plenty of chances to think about and rework ideas.”

–THEA 21622 Scene Design

Becky's New Car

“A whoosh of colorful highways running up, down and out to sea create a bold scene for The Human Race's opening production of "Becky's New Car," by playwright Steven Dietz. With more than a dozen interlaced, sophisticated colors and a very clever lighting design adding more color, the appearance is visually striking, practical and contemporary, by Scenic Designer Tamara L. Honesty.”

Becky's New Car Review--Travels Toward a Midlife Crisis by Jacqui Theobald, Dayton City Paper

Becky's New Car

“The cast played on a set of abstract curves and colors by Tamara Honesty, lit cleverly by John Rensel.”

Becky's New Car Review by Burt Saidel, The Oakwood Register

Becky's New Car

“In addition, Tamara L. Honesty's wonderfully colorful, expansive and inspired set, expertly lit by John Rensel, astutely signifies the varying directions within Becky's conflicted existence.”

Becky's New Car Review--Navigating a Midlife Crisis by Russell Florence, Jr., DaytonMost Metro

Managing Maxine

"In Shaffer's cute, funny, touching and refreshingly adult comedy "Managing Maxine" receiving a wonderful Midwest premiere deftly directed by Marya Spring Cordes and attractively designed by Tamara L. Honesty."

Managing Maxine Review-Falling in Love Again by Russell Florence, Jr., DaytonMost Metro

Managing Maxine

"From the first words, we were overwhelmed with cleverness. Start with the set. The backdrop was 50's modern that easily created three houses as the couch rotated. Clever, yes, but that was only the beginning."

Managing Review by Burt Saidel, The Oakwood Register

Permanent Collection

Exclusively tucked away in the suburbs of Philadelphia with a by-appointment-only admission policy, the Foundation, beautifully conceptualized by scenic designer Tamara L. Honesty, is caught in a period of major transition following the untimely death of its creator/benefactor Alfred Morris (Scott Stoney, playfully shrewd and spry).

–The State of the Art in Black and White by Russell Florence, Jr., DaytonMost Metro

Green Gables

"The functional set provided by designer Tamara L. Honesty features hung windows from the period, and the costumes by David Covach are mostly attractive and suitable."

–Scott Cain, talkingbroadway.com

Ghosts

"Tamara L. Honesty's beautiful, Arts and Crafts-inspired set, transformed the small confines of the Producer's Club into an inviting living room."

–Julie Halpern

Contact Me
TamARA L. Honesty
Scenic Designer
Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved.
When you hire Tammy Honesty you get a generous collaborator and an innovative designer/educator.  Through active listening, conversation, and research, she creates a vision for the production that fulfills or exceeds the director’s expectations. She understands deadlines, understands budgets, and understands working as a member of a team. Tammy brings a positive energy to every production meeting and technical rehearsal. She is not easily flustered and open to change. Tammy is always the consummate professional.