Abby has worked in the entertainment industry giving life to imagination (her own and others) for over 10 years. As a designer and fabricator in film, theater, and architecture Abby has honed a diverse range of knowledge and skills that enable her to provide tailored, unique solutions (whether in the form of design, drafting, or fabrication) to each new production.
While Abby is based in New York City she is always eager to travel where the work takes her. Some recent credits from abroad include work on Blade Runner 2049 (senior model maker and assistant art director for Weta Workshop’s miniatures unit), Spielberg’s The BFG (senior model maker), and ITV’s Thunderbirds Are Go! (senior model maker and art department miniatures technician).
Abby is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829, and a graduate of Cornell University where she studied architecture and worked in the theater.
Formal Education
Bachelor of Architecture
Cornell University
Meisner Technique 2yr Acting Cert.
Actor’s Workshop of Ithaca
Drafting (digital & hand)
3D Modeling
Soldering/Jewelry
Scenic Painting
Web design
OSX & Windows
Basic knowledge:
AutoCAD
Rhino
Maya
Skills
Model making
Carpentry
Laser Cutting
Sewing/Draping
Software
Adobe Suite
SketchUp
Vectorworks
Microsoft Office
HTML
Present/Past Titles:
Film/ Theater Technician
Project Manager/ Sr. Fabricator
Asst. Art Dir./ Sr. Model Maker
Resident Scenic Designer
Assistant Acting Instructor
Rope Access Technician
Freelance | Designer, Fabricator, Art Director, AD, Set Dec, Stage Manager, Prop.
Gulliver’s Gate | Designed, and managed production of miniatures for museum display.
Weta Workshop | Worked in development, fabrication, and filming of miniature sets.
Actor’s Workshop of Ithaca Theater Co. | Designed, and managed set fabrication.
Actor’s Workshop of Ithaca | Co - taught/directed Meisner technique classes.
Vertical Access LLC. | Conducted building façade inspections via rope access.
2009 – 2017
2016 – 2017
2013 - 2016
2010 – 2013
2010 – 2013
2009 – 2013
Selected Credits:
Assistant Art Director - TV
Happy! - Season 1
Assistant Art Director/Sr. Model Maker - Miniatures Unit - Film
Blade Runner 2049
The BFG
Thunderbirds Are Go
Production Designer - Film
To Be Forgotten
FACE
The Chanticleer
Double Word
Happy Hour
Sex, Drugs, & A Cappella
Set Designer - Theater
Museum
Spring Awakening
Mitzi’s Abortion
Rabbit Hole
Poona the F*ckdog...
Speech & Debate
Costume Designer - Theater
RENT
Far Away
Gutenberg! The Musical!!
Archaeology
Technical Director/Master Carpenter - Theater
Spring Awakening
Hatshepsut
Rabbit Hole
A Play on Words
Assistant Director – Film & Theater
The Chanticleer
Double Word
Orange Flower Water
NBC Universal, Syfy channel
Weta Workshop, Alcon Entertainment
Weta Workshop, Amblin Entertainment
Weta Workshop, ITV Studios, Pukeko Pictures
Masa Gibson, Marked Pictures
Masa Gibson, Marked Pictures
Becky Lane, Nice Girl Films
Masa Gibson, Marked Pictures
Becky Lane, Nice Girl Films
Masa Gibson, Original Series
David Kossack, Actor’s Workshop of Ithaca Theater Co.
Amina Omari, The Melodramatics Theatre Co.
C.A. Teitelbaum, Actor’s Workshop of Ithaca Theater Co.
Jeremy Webb, Actor’s Workshop of Ithaca Theater Co.
David Kossack, Actor’s Workshop of Ithaca Theater Co.
Sam Buggeln, Kitchen Theatre Co.
Tim Dyster, The Melodramatics Theatre Co.
Amina Omari, Actor’s Workshop of Ithaca Theater Co.
Rachel Lampert, Kitchen Theatre Co.
Margarett Perry, Kitchen Theatre Co.
Amina Omari, The Melodramatics Theatre Co.
Eliza VanCort, Actor’s Workshop of Ithaca Theater Co.
Jeremy Webb, Actor’s Workshop of Ithaca Theater Co.
Margarett Perry, Kitchen Theatre Co.
Becky Lane, Nice Girl Films
Masa Gibson, Marked Pictures
Amina Omari, Actor’s Workshop of Ithaca Theater Co.
New York, NY
Wellington, NZ
Wellington, NZ
Wellington, NZ
New York, NY
New York, NY
New York & Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, NY
New York & Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, NY
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, NY
Ithaca NY
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
Ithaca NY
Ithaca NY
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, NY
New York, NY
New York & Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, NY
2017
2017
2015
2013 – 2015
2017
2016
2014
2013
2012
2011
2014
2013
2013
2012
2011
2010
2012
2011
2010
2009
2013
2013
2012
2009
2013
2013
2010
bby
j Smith
