Department of Theatre & Dance Staff

Marlaina Seay, Assistant Professor of Scenic Design, was born and raised in Kentucky. She graduated with a BA in Theatre from Austin Peay State University. As an undergraduate, she worked as a carpenter, electrician, and scenic painter but chose to pursue designing in graduate school. After graduating with an MFA in Scenography (Set, Light, and Costume Design) from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, she ultimately sought teaching positions, finding joy in sharing knowledge and instruction. Marlaina has designed and taught at Lynchburg College (VA), North Greenville University (SC), and Middle Tennessee State University (TN), including classes such as Stagecraft, Scenic Art, and Scenic Design. She worked to get students involved with SETC, in order for them to gain professional work building their resumes. Professionally, she has worked as a set or lighting designer with Centre Stage (SC), Theatre Tuscaloosa (AL), and the Academy of Fine Arts (VA), to name a few.
When her family moved to western Nebraska, she found herself involved in theatre, but in different roles- directing, artistic directing, and production managing. She even had the opportunity to be a background extra in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. All of these experiences have given her a broader understanding and appreciation for the collaboration required by every role in a production. That said, she is thrilled to be back to the Bluegrass State!