Cliff Simon

501 19th Avenue South   *   Birmingham, Alabama 35205   *   cliffcakes@gmail.com

csimon@uab.edu   *   Design website:  www.cliffcakes.com

 

 

PRESENT POSITION

2008-present     Associate Professor of Scene Design, University of Alabama at Birmingham

2011-present     Head of Design and Production, Department of Theatre, UAB

2002-2008          Assistant Professor of Scene Design, UAB

 

 

EDUCATION

2009                        Beginning Filmmaking, UAB 3 credit class

2008                           Painting Translucent Backdrops 5-day Class, Cobalt Studios, New York

2006                        Teacher Training in Scene Painting 5-day Class, Cobalt Studios, New York

1999-2002          Master of Fine Arts in Theatrical Design - The University of Texas at Austin

1975                        Lester Polakov School of Scene Design, NYC

1972-1974          BA, Theatre Major, Scene Design Concentration – Queens College, NYC

1971-1972          ParsonÕs School of Design, Graphic Design Major 1971-1972

1968-1971          SUNY Buffalo, Fine Arts Major

 

 

ACADEMIC PARTICIPATION

Teaching

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

 

Courses Taught

 

Drawing and Rendering for the Theatre          

Emphasis on rendering styles and drawing skills used in developing costume, scenic, and lighting designs.

 

Introduction to Theatrical Design       

Study and application of elements of design in a theatrical setting. Roles of scenic, lighting and costume designers and their collaborative relationship with the director.

 

Period Style for the Theatre

Systematic study of architecture, furniture and the decorative arts of historical eras placed in a socio/political context.

 

Scene Painting

Historic and contemporary methods of painting scenery for the stage. Includes practical applications of the techniques in the scenic studio

 

Scenic Design

Exploration of the theory and practice of Scene Design for live performance

 

Photoshop Rendering

The tools and methodology for creating fully developed theatrical renderings using Photoshop, focusing on the importance of creating a painterly, non-digital look.

 

 

Independent Study Supervision

 

Scene Design: (2012) Mentoring student designer on production of Bat Boy

                                    (2012) Mentoring student assistant designer on production of CharleyÕs Aunt

                                    (2012) Mentored student assistant designer on production of Proof

(2012) Mentored student designer on production of DonÕt Trifle with Love

(2012) Mentored student designer on production of Macbeth

 

Scene Design: (2011) Mentored student assistant set designers on productions of Lysistrata,

& Rocky Horror Show

Mentored student scene designers on design for We Three and Postcards for J Bird.

Mentored student scene designers in project work for competition at KCACTF. Eddie Moncrieff went on to win First Prize in Scene Design in the David Weiss Competition.

Mentored students in their preparation for Grad School Design Auditions, including assembling of their portfolios for presentation

Scene Design: (2010) Mentored assistant designer on production of The Miser

Mentored student scene designer on production of Venus.

Mentored students in project work for competition at KCACTF. One student (Eddie Moncrief) won the First Prize in the Competition, and the other (Kendra Peine) won Second Prize. Eddie is presently under consideration for a Fellowship Workshop at the Kennedy Center this summer.

Scene Design: (2009) Mentored assistant designer on production of Rhinoceros

Mentored student scene designers in main stage productions of The Rivals (student received KCACTF Region IV Barbizon Award nomination) and The Beauty Queen of Leenane (student received KCACTF Region IV Barbizon Award nomination).

 

Scene Design: (2008) Mentored assistant designer on production of Cabaret.

Mentored  student scene designers in main stage productions of Our Town (student received KCACTF Region IV Barbizon Award nomination), As You Like It and The House of Blue Leaves (student received Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region IV Barbizon Award nomination),

 

Scene Design: (2006-2007) Mentored 2 student scene designers in main stage productions of Intimate Apparel (student received KCACTF Region IV Barbizon Award nomination) and Largo Desolato (student received KCACTF Region IV Barbizon Award nomination)

Scene Design:   (2006) Mentored student scene designer in main stage production of The Piano Lesson  (student received KCACTF Region IV Barbizon Award nomination)

Scene Painting: (2005) Mentored student scenic artists on The Grapes of Wrath and The Food                                         Chain

Scenic Design:  (2005) Mentored student scene designer in main stage production of The Seagull                                  (student received KCACTF Region IV Barbizon Award nomination)

Scenic Design:  (2004) Mentored student scene designer in main stage production of Home and                                      mentored 5 student scene designers for the Festival of Ten Minute Plays

 

 

University Service

2012                                          Chair, Costume Director Search Committee

                 

                                                      Season Selection Committee member

 

                                                      Curriculum Committee member

 

                                                      Faculty Affairs Committee member

 

                                                      Ireland Award Committee member

 

2010-2012                            Chair, Mervyn Sterne Grant Committee Mervyn Sterne Grant

 

2008-2012                            Mervyn Sterne Grant Committee member

 

2007-2012                            Guest Artist Committee (Chair)

 

2007-2012                            Audience Development Committee (Chair)

 

2008-2012                            Library Committee – department liaison

 

2008                                          Directed the play The Good Boys, for the UAB Theatre Department Ten Minute Play Festival

 

 

2007                                          Directing Professor Search, Committee member

 

2007                                          Coordinated Visual Arts Gallery Exhibition Show of Theatre Department Faculty Designs, 1/5 through 2/7

                                                      Gallery Exhibitor as well

 

2005-2006                            Arts and Humanities Ad Hoc Committee

 

2005-2006                            Faculty Affairs Committee member

 

2005                                          University Lecturer, Haddin Series:

                                                      How a Scene Designer Goes About Designing

 

2005                                          Guest Lecturer, Humanities 120, UAB, ÒAn Overview of New York CityÓ

2004                                          Wrote the play, A Day on the Prairie

                                                      Produced at the UAB Ten Minutes Festival of Plays

 

2004                                          KCACTF Birmingham

                                                      Designed the Student Design Exhibition, at the KCACTF at UAB

                                                      Was an assistant to the Chair and Co-Chair of the Festival

 

2004-2007                            Teacher of Excellence Committee member, Chair in 2005

 

2004-present                       Library Committee member

 

2004-present                       Chair, Guest Artist Committee, Theatre Department

 

¥ Have successfully arranged for the hiring of Guest Artist Bill Castellino, a New York based director, who will be directing this fallÕs production of The Rocky Horror Show at UAB.

¥ Arranged the details for the January 08 2-day visit of MoisŽs                                                                Kaufman, writer and director of The Laramie Project

                                                      ¥ Secured the residency of Broadway Lighting Designer Paul Miller

                                                      ¥ Brought in Improv artist Mike Randleman, Jay Leno Show guest

 

2003                                          Coordinated the arrangements to bring in Guest Lecturer Annie Wright

                                                      Ms. Wright lectured on 16th century English Theatre / the Mayan Culture.

 

2002                                          Fall Semester – Introduction to Literature 214, UAB

                                                      Guest Lecturer – ÒThe Design Process of She Stoops to ConquerÓ                   

 

 

Graphic Design within the University

2012                                          Designed the Traveling Display for the Department of Theatre

 

2003-Present                      Design all departmental posters for season series as well as all print ads for the UAB Theatre Department

                                                     

                                                      On a yearly basis, this design work includes:

                                                      The UAB Theatre Department Season Brochure, 10 or more Print Ads per year, The UAB Theatre Department Touring Group Brochure, Theatre Department Season Posters, Various Departmental Graphics, Photographer and archivist for all departmental photoshoots

 

2004                                          Design the traveling display promoting Theatre UAB

 

 

Special Projects/Outside Service

2008                                          Designed the cake for the cover of Fall 09 UAB Magazine, along with accompanying article and online video interview.

 

2008                                          KCACTF Region IV, Design Exhibition Coordinator, Region IV Festival in Clemson, SC

 

2008                                          KCACTF Region IV, Recent Worked Displayed in Faculty Design Exhibition

 

2007, 2008                           KCACTF Region IV, Co-Vice Chair of Design and Technologies, Regional Selection Committee

2007                                          KCACTF Region IV, Design Exhibition Coordinator, Region IV Festival in Americus, Ga.

2007                                          KCACTF Respondent, Mississippi State University, Helen

 

2007                                          KCACTF Respondent, Faulkner University, Clue: The Musical

 

2007                                          KCACTF Region IV, Co-Vice Chair of Design and Technologies

 

2006                                          KCACTF Regional Respondent, Tennessee State Festival of 7 participating plays, Johnson City, Tennessee

 

2006                                          KCACTF Respondent, Alabama State University, The Raisin in the Sun

 

2006                                          Invited Guest Lecturer at the re-opening of the show ÒProcess Toward Performance: The Art of Theatrical Design,Ó at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa.

                                                      8 pieces of my theatrical design work in the exhibition at the Lore Degenstein Gallery

 

2005                                          Respondent, Birmingham Southern University, Zombies

2005                                          KCACTF Respondent, Faulkner University, Animal Farm

 

2005                                          KCACTF Palm Beach

1. Designed the Student Design Exhibition, at the KCACTF in Palm Beach, Florida

         2. Was an assistant to the Chair and Co-Chair of the Festival

         3. Presented Photoshop Rendering Workshop

         4. Designed the graphics for the entire Festival

 

 

Awards, Scholarships and Grants

---Won the 2006-07 B. Iden Payne Award for Outstanding Set Design in Austin, Texas

---Nominated 5 times for the B. Iden Payne Award for outstanding Set Design in Austin, Texas

---Awarded the Kennedy Center National Faculty Fellowship in Scenic Design

---Received many certificates of Merit for Scene Design from KCACTF over the years.

---Invited to attend the master class in the Designer/Director Relationship, led by Ming Cho Lee and Constance Hoffman, at the Kennedy Center

---UAB Arts and Humanities DeanÕs Grant, to present at the Digital Rendering Workshop, at ATHE, Chicago, August 2006

---UAB Arts and Humanities Mini Grant, study at Cobalt Studios, in Scenic Painting, July 2006

---Morton Brown Scholarship, 2000, 2001, 2002 for Graduate Studies

---John Reese Rothgeb Scholarship in Theatre, 2001, 2002 for Graduate Studies

 

 

The University of Texas at Austin (Grad School)

2002                                          Spring Semester - Introduction to Design – Teaching Assistant

Introductory design course for Theatre majors.  Responsibilities included various lecture responsibilities and student consultations.

2001                                          Fall Semester, 2001 – Scenic Design Internship at the Cleveland Play House. In fulfillment of my Fall Semester at the University of Texas at Austin, and through arrangement with the Cleveland Play House my internship included working full time in the prop shop for half of my time there, and in the paint shop for the remainder. In addition, I designed the scenery for the premiere of a musical comedy version of  The Nutcracker, written by Kenneth Kacmer, in the Play HouseÕs Studio theatre. 

1999-2001                                          Assistant to the Scenic Charge.

 

 

PUBLICATIONS

Forthcoming Publications

Southern Theatre Magazine,

Book Review for Fundamentals of Theatrical Design

By Karen Brewster and Melissa Shafer

 

Inspired Teaching: Essays on Theatre Design and Technology Education

Essay entitled: Scenic Painting: Finding Meaning and Courage in Unexpected Places

Edited by Erik Viker

To be published March 2013

 

---------------------------------

Translucent Drop Painting

An article on Scene Painting Techniques

The PainterÕs Journal

Fall 2008

 

Scenic Painting for Teachers at Cobalt Studios

An article on Scene Painting

The PainterÕs Journal

Fall 2006

 

Mise-en-Scene, a specialty piece for the Sunday Edition, Arts Primer, of the Birmingham News

December 2004

 

Paintimento, an article on Scene Painting

The PainterÕs Journal

Spring 2004

 

 

PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS, ETC.

Invited Feature Presenter, Southeast Theatre Conference, Design

March 2009

 

Presenter at USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology) National Convention, Houston, Texas,

ÒTraditional Methods Versus Digital MediaÓ

March 2008

 

Workshop Presenter: Photoshop Rendering, KCACTF Clemson, SC

February 2008

 

Workshop Presenter: Photoshop Rendering, KCACTF Americus Georgia

February 2007

 

Panelist: ÒDigital Pedagogy for Design and Stagecraft: A demonstration of digital solutions to design/stagecraft pedagogy in the early twenty-first centuryÓ

Association for Theatre in Higher Education annual conference, Chicago, Illinois

July 2006

 

Workshop Presenter: Photoshop Rendering, KCACTF Palm Beach

February 2005

 

Panelist: ÒRealizing The Vision:  Artistic Director/ Scenic Designer/ Technical Director Relationships In Academic TheatreÓ

Association for Theatre in Higher Education annual conference, Toronto, Canada

July 29, 2004

 

Workshop Presenter

Photoshop Rendering, KCACTF Palm Beach, Florida

February 2005

 

 

Workshop Presenter

Photoshop Rendering, Southeast Theatre Conference, Chattanooga, Tenn.

March 2004

 

Workshop Presenter

Photoshop Rendering, KCACTF Birmingham, Alabama

February 2004

Workshop Presenter

Photoshop Rendering, Thespian Festival in Florence, Alabama

February 2004

 

Festival Judge

Critiqued and judged the Thespian Festival Sound, Scenery and Costume Design competitors.

February 2004

 

Participant in the Digital Design Exhibition

USITT National Conference

Long Beach, California

March 2001

Participant in the Digital Design Exhibition

USITT National Conference

New Orleans, La.

March 2002

 

Participant in the Digital Design Exhibition

USITT National Conference

Long Beach, California

March 2004

 

 

AFFILIATIONS

United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)

Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)

Southeast Theatre Conference (SETC)

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF)

 

 

ACADEMIC THEATRE DESIGN

[Set Designer, unless noted]

 

2012

PROOF, Sirote, UAB, Directed by Karla Koskinen

ON THE VERGE, Sirote, UAB, Directed by Karla Koskinen

 

2011

CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE, Sirote, UAB, Directed by Jack Cannon

POSTCARDS FOR J BIRD (co-designed with student designer), Odess, UAB, Directed by Dennis McLernon

LYSISTRATA, Sirote, UAB, Directed by Vessela Warner

THREE SISTERS, Sirote, UAB, Directed by Will York

 

2010

ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Sirote, UAB, Guest Directed by Bill Castellino

VENUS (Lighting Designer), Odess, UAB, Directed by Karla Koskinenl

THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, Travelling Show, UAB, Directed by Dennis McLernon

THE MISER, Sirote, UAB, Directed by Dennis McLernon

JOE TURNERÕS COME AND GONE, Sirote, UAB, Directed by Cheryl Hall

 

2009

EURYDICE, Odess Theater, Directed by Karla Koskinen

RHINOCEROS, Sirote  Theater, Directed by Will York

 

2008

SCENES FROM AN EXECUTION, UAB Theater, Directed by Karla Koskinen

CABARET, Sirote  Theater, Directed by Karla Koskinen

THE LARAMIE PROJECT, Sirote Theater, Directed by Luke Harlan

 

2007

IN THE BLOOD, Odess Theatre, UAB, Directed by Dennis McLernon

This show won the KCACTF National Competition and performed at the Kennedy Center. The design received the Meritorious Achievement Award..

WIND IN THE WILLOWS, Sirote Theatre & Birmingham ChildrenÕs Theatre / tour, Directed by Will York

1001 NIGHTS, Odess Theatre / tour, UAB, Directed by Dennis McLernon

THE TEMPEST, Sirote Theatre, UAB, Directed by Dennis McLernon

THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA, Sirote Theatre, UAB, Directed by Will York

 

2006

PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, [Lighting Designer] Sirote Theatre, UAB, Directed by Lisa Channer

THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER, Odess Theatre/Statewide Tour, UAB, Directed by Dennis McLernon

THE DOCTOR IN SPITE OF HIMSELF, Sirote Theatre, UAB, Directed by Ward Haarbauer

 

2005

THE FOOD CHAIN, Odess Theatre, UAB Birmingham, Directed by Jack Cannon

THE GRAPES OF WRATH, Sirote Theatre, UAB Birmingham, Directed by Will York

ANTIGONE, Sirote Theatre, UAB Birmingham, Directed by Ward Haarbauer

36 VIEWS, Sirote Theatre, UAB Birmingham, Directed by Marc Powers

 

2004

KING LEAR, Sirote Theatre, UAB Birmingham, Directed by Will York

THE MIKADO, Sirote Theatre, UAB Opera Department, Directed by John Ray

 

2003

METAMORPHOSES, Sirote Theatre, UAB Birmingham, Directed by Marc Powers

RASHOMON, Sirote Theatre, UAB Birmingham, Directed by Karma Ibsen

FALSETTOS, Sirote Theatre, UAB Birmingham, Directed by Dennis McClernon

 

2002

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, Sirote Theatre, UAB Birmingham, Directed by Will York

 

 

CREATIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROFESSIONAL THEATRE DESIGN

[Set Designer, unless noted]

 

2013

33 Variations (in production), Zach Theatre, Austin, TX, Directed by Dave Steakley

GREASE (in production), Walnut Street Theater, Philadelphia, PA, Directed by Bruce Lumpkin

GREASE (in production), Walnut Street Theater, Philadelphia, PA, Directed by Bruce Lumpkin

 

2012

DIVIDING THE ESTATE (in design), Zach Theater, Austin, Texas, Directed by Steven Dietz

ALICEÕS ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND (in production), Birmingham ChildrenÕs Theater, AL, Directed by Scott Rink

THE FULL MONTY, Riverside Theater, Fl, Directed by Keith Andrews

 

2011

THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, Riverside Theater, Fl, Directed by Russ Treyz

JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS, Riverside Theater, Fl, Directed by DJ Salisbury

 

2010

I LOVE YOU, YOUÕRE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, Riverside Theater, Fl, Directed by Steven Bourneuf

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Riverside Theater, Fl, Directed by Bill Castellino

 

2009

GRAPES OF WRATH, Zach Scott Theatre Theater, Austin, Texas, Directed by Dave Steakley

STILL LIFE WITH IRIS, Auburn University Theatre, Austin, Texas, Directed by Heather May

PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, Riverside Theater, Fl, Directed by Bill Castellino

 

2008

SMOKEY JOEÕS CAFE, Riverside Theater/Jupiter Theatre, Fl, Directed by Bill Castellino

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Zilker Park Theatre, Austin, Texas, Directed by Scott Schroeder

SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, Zach Scott Theatre, Austin, Texas, Directed by Wendy Bable

 

2007

ROCKY HORROR SHOW University of South Florida, Guest Designer, Directed by Bill Brewer

PRESENT LAUGHTER, Zach Scott Theatre, Austin, Texas, Directed by Dave Steakley

                  Awarded the B. Iden Payne Award for Outstanding Set Design, 2006-07

FOREVER PLAID, Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach, Fla, Directed by Steven Smeltzer

 

2006

PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Bigfork, Montana Directed by Curt Oldes

7 BRIDES FOR 7 BROTHERS, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Bigfork, Montana

CHICAGO, Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach, Fla, Directed by Bill Castellino

THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER, Birmingham ChildrenÕs Theatre, Directed by Will York

 

2005

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Birmingham ChildrenÕs Theatre, Directed by Dennis McLernon

ANYTHING GOES, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Bigfork, Montana Directed by Bruce Cusker

GREASE, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Bigfork, Montana, directed by Joe Martinez

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, Zilker Park Theatre, Austin, Texas, Directed by Scott Schroeder

TAKE ME OUT, Birmingham Festival Theatre, Directed by Will York

BEEHIVE, Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach, Fla, Directed by Bill Castellino

 

2004

SHOWTUNE, Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach, Fla, Directed by J. Barry Lewis

HOUSE ARREST, Zachary Scott Theatre, Austin, Directed by Dave Steakley

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN,  Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Bigfork, Montana, Directed by Chad Henry

CATS,  Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Bigfork, Montana, Directed by Curtis Olds

 

2003

FULLY COMMITTED, Zachary Scott Theatre, Austin, Directed by Dave Steakley

T BONE n WEASEL, Odess Theatre, 13th Street Ensemble, Directed by Will York

PRIVATE LIVES, Odess Theatre, 13th Street Ensemble, Directed by Kathleen McGeever

2002

MY WAY, Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach, Fla, Directed by Allen Cornell

HAIR, Zachary Scott Kleberg Theatre, Austin, Directed by Dave Steakley

BEE-LUTHER-HATCHEE, Zachary Scott Arena Theatre, Austin, Directed by Ann Ciccolella

THE DINOSAUR WITHIN, Guest Scenic Artist, State Theatre, Austin, Designed by Hugh Landwehr

 

2001

THE NUTCRACKER, Cleveland Play House, Studio Theatre, Directed by Bill Hoffman

AND THE WORLD GOES ÔROUND, Zachary Scott Arena, Austin, Directed by Dave Steakley

JELLYÕS LAST JAM, Scenic Charge/Props, Zachary Scott Kleberg Theatre, Austin, Designed by Michael Raiford

.COM, Zachary Scott Kleberg Theatre, Austin, Choreographed by Acia Gray

STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, Props Designer, Zachary Scott Theatre, Austin, Designed by Michael Raiford

 

2000

TRU, Props Designer, Zachary Scott Arena Theatre, Austin, Designed by Michael Raiford

CLOSER, Zach Scott Arena Theatre, Austin, Directed by Ann Ciccolella

IN THE HOUSE OF THE MOLES, Rude Mechs/Off Center, Austin, Directed by Shawn Sides

SUMMER THEATRE WORKSHOP, B. Iden Payne Theatre at UT, Austin

 

1999

A MADHOUSE IN GOA, Santa Fe Playhouse, NM, Directed by Janis Bonser

A DOLLÕS HOUSE, Santa Fe Playhouse, NM, Directed by Eron Block

A FUNNY THING . . . Scenic Charge, Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach, Fl., Designed by Allen Cornell

 

1998

VITA AND VIRGINIA, Santa Fe Playhouse, NM, Directed by Dale Whitt

BENT, Santa Fe Playhouse, NM, Directed by Janice Bonser

SIMON SAYS! Santa Fe Playhouse, NM, Directed by Dale Whitt

 

 

1978

PASSION OF DRACULA, Board Op, Cherry Lane Theatre, NYC, Directed by Peter Bennett

 

1977

STEAMBATH, George Street Playhouse, NJ, Directed by Peter Bennett

 

1976

CHARLIE POPS, George Street Playhouse, NJ

THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON, George Street Playhouse, NJ, Directed by Peter Bennett

THE GLASS MENAGERIE, George Street Playhouse, NJ, Directed by Peter Bennett

 

1975

FORTUNE AND MENÕS EYES, George Street Playhouse, NJ

AWAKE AND SING, Joseph Jefferson Theatre, NYC

 

1974

FAME, Truck & Warehouse Theatre, NYC, Set, Lighting Designer, Directed by Tony Ingrassia

CHILDREN'S THEATRE, Assistant Set Designer, Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven, Ct.

IONESCOPADE, Specialty Props, Theatre Four, NYC, Directed by: Bob Ackerman

A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, T. Schrieber Studios, NYC, Directed by Terry Schrieber

 

1973

AUTUMN GARDEN, Joseph Jefferson Theatre, NYC

APRIL FISH, Joseph Jefferson Theatre, NYC

1972

THERE GOES THE OLD BALL GAME, Set and Lighting Designer, Lamb's Club, NYC, Directed by Dick Poston

 

 

 

FINE ART SHOWS

1996

CRS Gallery, Santa Fe, One Man Show

 

1995

CRS GALLERY, Santa Fe, One Man Show

MUNSON GALLERY, Santa Fe, Group Show

 

1992

BF GALLERY, New York City, One Man Show

TAI GALLERY, New York City, One Man Show

 

 

PUBLISHED WRITING

1993-1998

PASATIEMPO, Published 20 stories related to designing cakes for the entertainment industry

 

1995, 1997

SANTA FE REPORTER, Published 2 stories

 

1997, 1998

LOCAL FLAVOR MAGAZINE, Published 2 stories

 

1995

L.A. TIMES SYNDICATE, U.S. distribution, ÒThe Diana Ross WeddingÓ

 

 

TELEVISION & RADIO GUEST APPEARANCES

2002

GOOD DAY ALABAMA, Birmingham, Alabama, 8 minute Segment

 

1998

HOME AND FAMILY, Home and Family TV, National Syndication, 15 minute Segment

                                   

ABC-TV ALBUQUERQUE NEWS, 2-minute spot

                                   

ALBUQUERQUE RADIO, 5 minute interview

                                   

SAN DIEGO RADIO, 10 minute interview

                                   

KBAC RADIO, Santa Fe, 15 minute Interview

 

1995,1996,1997

SANTA FE AM RADIO, 3 Guest Spots

                                   

1995

NBC-TV ALBUQUERQUE NEWS, 2-minute spot

 

1989

ATTITUDES, Lifetime TV, National Syndication, 10 minute segment

MAGAZINE COVERAGE

2002

PORTICO MAGAZINE

Feature article on my Set Design and Cake Design

 

2002

DEEP SOUTH JEWISH VOICE, Feature Story

BIRMINGHAM NEWS. 2 Page Story

 

1998

PEOPLE MAGAZINE, Double Page Spread

SANTA FEAN, Full Page Story

GALA MAGAZINE (German Syndication), Article

ITALIAN VOGUE, Article

 

1995

ROBB REPORT, Article

NEW MEXICO MAGAZINE, Full Page Story

SANTA FEAN, Full Page Story

 

1992

NEW MEXICAN, Feature Story

 

 

SOLO PERFORMANCE

1996-Present

An Evening with Cliff Simon

A comedic autobiographical monologue, performed in a variety of venues in Santa Fe, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Austin and Birmingham

 

OTHER

I am the author of the book, They Ate My Cake, an autobiographical comedic account of my designing cakes for a number of celebrities, and upon which my one-man show, An Evening with Cliff Simon, is based.

 

 

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO RE-ENTERING ACADEMIA

1976 – Present

Cake Designer, Cliff Simon Cakes

For over 20 years I have created edibly painted cakes for special events. Client list includes: Diana Ross, Malcolm Forbes, Madonna, James Taylor, Ella Fitzgerald, Liberace, Glenna Goodacre, etc. Incorporating various backgrounds in graphics and Theatre, the cakes are more akin to pieces of folk art. Online portfolio: www.cliffcakes.com/cake

 

1984 – 1999

Print Graphic & Web Site Designer

                  United Jewish Appeal, Field & Stream Magazine, New York City

                  Santa Fe Playhouse, Santa Fe Performing Arts, Montecristi Hat Works, Santa Fe

 

Print: Concept, design, pre and post production of a large assortment of materials, including invitations to fundraising events, annual reports, company newsletters, brochures, logos, building displays, hand painted and calligraphed certificates, theatrical designs for organizational productions, as well as numerous direct mail and advertising materials.

                  Web Site: Design, Production and Maintenance of variety of websites conducting                  business on the internet.

 

1992 – 1999

Teacher - Adult Education

Instructor of cake painting classes at University of New Mexico/Santa Fe Community College.

 

1980 – 1984

Graphic Designer

Davis Delaney Arrow, New York City

Junior graphic designer and production coordinator in preeminent New York Printing Company, working closely with senior designers and clients, producing a number of annual reports, from Texaco to American Brands, as well as advertising posters, newsletters and other materials; integrally involved with the redesigning of Gourmet Magazine with Irwin Glusker Associates.

 

1976 – 1980

Graphic Designer

                  Retail Communications Corporation, New York City

Direct marketing and advertising; prepared materials for inserts into various supplements, along with design and production of several cosmetics catalogs; responsible for all aspects of type production and design, as well as working with the printers on pre and post production of black and white and 4-color pieces.