Avi Stone Recognized for Artful Excellence in Costume Design

Avi Stone, a senior theatre major from Edgerton, Wisconsin, is building a body of work that holds up under professional scrutiny.

At the American College Theater Festival Region 3 conference, held Jan. 6–10 in Madison, Stone was named a finalist in Costume Design and earned the ACTF Award for Theatrical Design Excellence: Artful Excellence in Costume Design. It’s a strong result, and a notable one. Stone is the first University of Wisconsin-Whitewater costume design student in several years to earn a regional honor.

That recognition came through the festival’s Design, Technology, and Management Expo, where students present non-realized design work for critique by industry professionals. These projects aren’t built for the stage. They live on the page, which means the concept has to carry the weight. Students develop full design approaches, then defend their choices in live response sessions with guest respondents. It’s a clean test of both craft and clarity.

Stone’s campus work reflects both range and precision. As lead costume designer for "Eurydice," the production featured detailed beadwork, embroidery, and textile work. Stone also co-designed "Lady Windermere’s Fan" and contributed to multiple DanceScapes productions as both designer and assistant, with additional design support on "Macbeth," "The Sweet Science of Bruising," and "Pal Joey."

The work extends beyond theatre. In October 2025, Stone earned Best of 2D Mixed Media at the Crossman Gallery’s Juried Student Art Exhibition for a piece titled, "Becoming a Tomato." It’s an unexpected title, and it tracks with the kind of curiosity strong designers tend to follow.

Academically, Stone has been a consistent presence on the Dean’s List, including Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, and was recognized for undergraduate research during the 2024–25 academic year. Stone is also active in the Sew What Society, a student organization focused on expanding technical skills while supporting theatre-related opportunities.

UW-Whitewater showed depth across the board at the festival. Maya Springob, a theatre major from Oconomowoc, was named a finalist in Stage Management. Five additional Warhawks presented their work: Jane Rhine in costume design, and Addie Fugelseth, Sofia Guha, Michael Miller, and John Venable in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition. Earning a spot at that level signals serious preparation.

The American College Theater Festival engages more than 18,000 students nationwide each year. It functions as both a proving ground and classroom, asking students to articulate their ideas and hold them up to critique.

UW-Whitewater’s Department of Theatre/Dance, housed in the College of Arts and Communication, leans into that kind of hands-on, collaborative training. Results like this suggest the approach is landing where it should.