Ahna Packard

Interior & Product Design, Assistant Professor

Office: DSCH 310 | Phone: (308) 865-8226 | Email: packardak@unk.edu

Biography

Ahna Packard uses her 30 years as a professional set designer in Hollywood and other locations to expand the minds of her students to new possibilities and career opportunities. Having designed movie sets, T.V. sets, and theater sets, she has membership with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE, Local 800). Other professional memberships include Surface Design Association (SDA), Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC), and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). Her research includes artistic performances and exhibits both locally and across the country, conference proceedings, and presentations. Ahna is also a manager and instructor in UNK’s fabrication lab.

Education

M.F.A., Theater, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
B.F.A., Theater, University of South Dakota

Area of expertise and research

Research Stream:

Create projects / art exhibits
Theatre productions / entertainment design
Design in and for education

How can I do well in your class?

A student should have active curiosity and a willingness to experiment, which sometimes leads to a learning moment. With an active curiosity, a student will take the information and techniques presented and seek out more. In this fast-paced world I feel no teacher has all the information and is more of a guide, so a student needs to develop the tools to find the answers that are out there.

What can I expect in your class?

To learn how to find answers and start a design journey that involves lifelong learning.