David Lee Cuthbert, Professor of Performance, Play and Design (PPD), passed away unexpectedly on February 11, 2025. Cuthbert was a dedicated educator and designer, serving as part of the Theater Arts faculty for 25 years. His passing is a profound loss for the Arts Division and for UC Santa Cruz.
“Professor David Cuthbert‘s impact on his field, on our campus, as a former chair of PPD, a dear colleague, and a mentor will be felt for many generations beyond us and beyond now,” said Arts Division Dean Celine Parreñas Shimizu. “David was a stalwart champion of his students, and a great artist whose legacy will live on. We have enjoyed immersion in his dazzling sets and illuminated by his brilliant lighting. His presence in and out of the division as a major contributor to building this institution will be remembered."
Professor Cuthbert received his M.F.A. in lighting design from UC San Diego. During his time at UC Santa Cruz, he designed innovative lighting and media for countless UCSC theatrical and dance productions. A pioneer in theatrical design, his work was featured in Billy Crystal’s Broadway smash, the Tony-award winning 700 Sundays, which was made into an HBO film of the same name. He was a progenitor and staunch advocate of UCSC’s unique Barnstorm program, an entirely student-run theatrical production company that is a particularly cherished opportunity for our students in the Arts Division.
“The Jewish people have a saying for times like this: ‘May his memory be a blessing,’ said Performance, Play and Design Department Chair, Professor Michael Chemers. “This means that we wish that the memories of the person who passed will make us feel blessed to have known them. In Professor Cuthbert’s case, I know this will be true. He was a dear friend to so many of us.”
David Cuthbert’s work has been seen at Arena Stage, Asolo Rep, Opera San Jose, Indiana Rep, South Coast Rep, The Group at Strasberg, PCPA Theaterfest, The Magic Theatre, A Contemporary Theater, San Jose Rep, San Diego Rep, The Intiman, Syracuse Stage, Arizona Theater Company, 7 Stages and PS122. He also was a resident artist at Sledgehammer Theatre, where he designed lights, sets and projections for over a dozen productions. He served as Department Chair for nine years and served as chair of several important UCSC Senate Committees, most recently the Committee on Educational Policy.
He is survived by his wife, the director Kirsten Brandt, and his daughter, Sophia for whom the Arts Division shares their heartfelt and loving sympathy.
