Amber Dewey Schultz is the Assistant Director of Academic Programs for the Siebel Center for Design and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre. The primary responsibilities of her SCD role include strategic program planning, innovation in program development, academic program operations, faculty development and support for SCD courses, multidisciplinary course and certificate development, and student support for SCD courses and certificates.

 

In her faculty role, Amber's research and teaching interests include experience design, immersive and playable theatre, escape room design, and transmedia play. She utilizes human-centered design to integrate immersive theatre with escape rooms to develop playful theatre experiences including I Wish: A Theatrical Escape Room (Illinois Theatre), The Heist: A Theatrical Escape Room (Illinois Theatre), Thank you, Five! (stage management-themed board game), and Murder on Klein Island (Zoom-based role-playing whodunit).

 

Previously, Amber has served in production management, stage management, and company management roles within performing arts companies across the country, including the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, San Francisco Opera, The Dallas Opera, Chicago Opera Theatre, and Opera Carolina.

 

She holds a BFA in Design and Production from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and an MFA in Experience Design from Miami University.