Michael Hooker Named 2025 USITT Fellow

Department of Drama faculty member recognized for contributions to sound design and technology

Professor Michael Hooker, Department of Drama faculty member at UC Irvine's Claire Trevor School of the Arts, has been named a 2025 United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) Fellow. This recognition honors individuals with significant involvement in USITT and the broader field of live entertainment. Fellows are leaders in their field who contribute to the growth and mission of the Institute.

“USITT’s support of our industry, academia and their unwavering trust in me, has had a profound impact on my career,” said Hooker. “My passion for providing service to the Institute (especially to the thousands of student members) is something I never expected recognition for.  Having earned both their Distinguished Achievement Award in Sound Design (2022) and now my appointment as an Institute Fellow still feels very humbling and unreal — but I am so very honored to be able to guide the future of such an amazing organization."

Hooker has been an active member of USITT since attending his first conference in 1995. He has served as sound commissioner, chaired numerous sound sessions and contributed to the development of the USITT Sound Labs, including the inaugural 2012 edition and subsequent labs in 2014, 2016, and 2018, along with the 2023 Sound-X. In 2022, he received the USITT Distinguished Achievement Award in Sound Design and Technology.

With over 32 years of experience in sound design and education, Hooker currently leads the M.F.A. program in sound design at UC Irvine. He previously founded and headed sound design programs at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and CalArts.

Hooker’s work includes over 125 productions, such as Looped on Broadway, and designs at regional theaters including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Repertory and Arena Stage. He has also worked globally as a Senior Media Designer for Walt Disney Imagineering, contributing to theme park attractions in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris and more.

This recognition from USITT further acknowledges Hooker's long-standing impact on sound design and his ongoing contributions to the field.

For more information about the 2025 USITT Fellowship visit usitt.org. For more information about Michael Hooker's work, visit his Department of Drama bio page here.