Debra Kim Sivigny

Deb Sivigny serves as an Assistant Professor in the Theatre Production and Management department within Ithaca College's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, specializing in costume design, scenography, and immersive theatre. Her professional portfolio spans theatre, opera, and dance productions at institutions including Hangar Theatre, Barrington Stage Company, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Everyman Theatre, and the Kennedy Center Theatre for Young Audiences.

Her academic credentials include:

• BA from Middlebury College
• MFA in Costume Design from University of Maryland

Sivigny's research integrates dramaturgy, cross-cultural dialogue, and personal experience as a Korean-American adoptee to explore Asian representation on stage, immigrant narratives, and stereotype subversion. She describes design as a 'sedimentary rock' process—layered, organic, and narrative-driven—creating 'design-driven' works that illuminate character arcs through research-based visual frameworks without overwhelming performers. Her philosophy emphasizes iterative experimentation and honesty in expanding theatrical possibilities.

As an educator in Ithaca College's BFA Theatre Production and Design program, she mentors students to harness life experiences for creative design-thinking, focusing on storytelling fundamentals over technical replication. She advocates for understanding how personal history informs aesthetic choices to develop successful design perspectives.

Professionally, Sivigny is a member of United Scenic Artists (USA 829) and represented by Michael Moore Agency. Her recent design credits include The Chinese Lady (Everyman Theatre, 2025), Othello, The Nightsong of Orpheus, The Royale, and dance productions like Tia Nina, reflecting her commitment to new works and devised pieces across theatrical disciplines.