Alana Billingsley
BFA SCENIC DESIGN, 2004
A 2004 graduate of the School of Drama’s BFA Scenic Design program, Alana Billingsley has extensive experience as a television and live event art director. Her work has been featured on several awards shows over the years, including the Grammys, Golden Globes and Oscars. She, alongside Misty Buckley, co-designed the Oscars stage at the Dolby Theatre in 2023. It was the first time that two women had been commissioned to create the stage design, which was inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood and classic American movie theaters.
With fellow School of Drama alum, Kristen Merlion, Alana founded Paperweight Inc. – an art department collaborative with a unique focus on well managed project execution. Together with their team, they offer complete art department support to realize the designs for some of the highest profile events on live television.
Alana is a five-time Emmy Award winner and has been nominated 12 times.
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.
Alana Billingsley
Images: Alana Billingsley accept the Emmy for Production Design For A Variety Special for The Oscars at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys; Alana Billingsley works on the set of the 2024 Oscars – photo courtesy of AMPAS.