网红头条

KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 30, 2025

Honoring 34 Years of Artistic Excellence and Educational Impact

After an illustrious career spanning 34 years at 网红头条 (KSU), Ming Chen, a distinguished professor of scenic design in the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies (TPS), is set to retire. Chen's journey in the world of scenic design is a testament to dedication, creativity, and the transformative power of the arts. 

Born in Shanghai, China, Chen has loved the arts since childhood. After high school, she studied drawing and painting at the Shanghai School of Fine and Applied Arts and worked in the needlepoint tapestry industry. Her passion for fine arts led her to the Shanghai Theatre Academy, where she was introduced to set and costume design, setting the stage for her career in theatrical design. 

Chen's journey eventually brought her to KSU, where she has made significant contributions over the past 34 years. Some of the most memorable shows she has worked on at KSU include "A Midsummer Night鈥檚 Dream," her first show at KSU, where she served as both set and costume designer, as well as "Incubus" and "Chakra," both dance productions. More recent accomplishments in set design include "Rent," "The SpongeBob Musical," and "Macbeth." Chen was awarded the University Distinguished Professor Award in 2023, the top honor presented during Kennesaw State鈥檚 annual Faculty Awards ceremony.

For Chen, teaching scenic design has been incredibly fulfilling. 鈥淚 feel rewarded when I see my students surprise themselves with what they are capable of doing in my classes,鈥� Chen said. She intentionally frames class projects to be open-ended, maximizing each student's creativity and potential. 

In retirement, Chen plans to expand her knowledge of Vectorworks and update her book, 鈥淓ssential Vectorworks Skills for Scenic and Production Designers: Drawing, Rendering, Modeling, Drafting, and Presenting,鈥� and instructional videos. 

She is excited about having more time to pursue her hobbies, such as singing, drawing, painting, and playing the piano. 鈥淚 would like to quote the phrase 鈥榓 new day will begin鈥� from the song 鈥楳emory鈥� in the Broadway musical Cats to express my feelings about looking forward to my future,鈥� she said. 

Chen advises incoming students to become well-rounded individuals with diverse skills, including "the eye of a painter, the imagination of a poet, the mind of a philosopher, and the skill set of an architect." She emphasizes the importance of being team players, effective communicators, and leaders in production. Chen encourages taking a variety of art classes to develop the necessary skills for theatrical design. 鈥淭he design classes and practical design opportunities we offer at TPS will provide students with the knowledge, methods, techniques, and processes of theatrical design,鈥� she said. 

As Chen prepares to retire, her legacy at KSU will continue to inspire future generations of scenic designers. Her contributions to the field and her dedication to education have left an indelible mark on the university and the broader artistic community. 网红头条, the Robert S. Geer College of the Arts, and the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies thank Chen for her steadfast support of our students and remarkable contributions to the university. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

--Brooke Marier