The 4th OISTAT Technical Invention Prize (TIP) initiated by the OISTAT Technology Commission, organised by World Stage Design 2025 (WSD 2025), Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA), and OISTAT.
The Technical Invention Prize is an international competition that is aimed at technicians from theatre or any part of live performance or the entertainment industry who come up with the most creative and simple yet bright idea for devices used in common practice on the stage, backstage or front-of-house.
Below are the theatre professionals who serve as the Chair and Jury for TIP 2025.
| Name | Bio |
Joaquin Jose Z. Aranda (Jay) (Philippine) |
Jay is a distinguished professional in lighting design, technical direction, and theater consultancy. He serves as Secretary of PATDAT (OISTAT Centre Philippines) and is Vice Chair of the OISTAT Technology Commission. A founding member of Technical Theatre Network Asia (TTNA), he has led the Technical Invention Prize (TIP) 2022 in Calgary, Canada, and is heading TIP 2025, to be exhibited at World Stage Design in Sharjah. Jay’s work spans theater, opera, dance, concerts, and large-scale events, known for its precision and creativity. His designs are featured in publications such as World Scenography 1990–2005, World Stage Design 2006, and the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. He is principal designer at JJZA Media Production Services and teaches at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde. He also consults for Rockwell Land’s Proscenium and Black Box Theaters. Jay’s work continues to shape Philippine performance design and technical theater education. |
| Name | Bio |
| Rondelle Alleyne (Trinidad and Tobago)  |
Rondelle Alleyne is a seasoned theatre practitioner with over 30 years of experience in Trinidad and Tobago’s performing arts scene. He began with the Good Shephard Tabernacle Youth Group and advanced through Best Village, conventional, and technical theatre. Trained under renowned lighting designers, he later served as Technical Coordinator at Naparima Bowl, co-producing major events like Jazz and Bowlface Brunch. As founder of Preset Lights, Alleyne has designed for productions including 3 Canal Show 2010, Young Kings, and Spirit Mas Band Launch 2024. He holds a BFA in Performing Arts (Lighting Design) from UWI and UTT. He has served on the inaugural boards of Napa/Sapa, chaired the Audit Committee, and currently works as Programme Manager for the National Performing Companies at the National Academy for the Performing Arts. Alleyne remains a cornerstone of Trinidad and Tobago's theatre community. |
Majekodunmi Femi Benjamen (South Africa) |
Majekodunmi Femi Benjamen is a theatre professional with over two decades of experience in lighting design and stage production. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Dramatic Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University in 2001, followed by a Master of Arts (Honours) in Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan. Benjamen spent 18 years with DAAR Communications PLC, Nigeria’s largest private broadcasting company and owners of African Independent Television and Raypower Radio, where he served as a lighting designer and operator. Driven by a passion for continuous learning and innovation, Benjamen has received extensive international training from respected institutions and organizations such as STRAND LIGHTING, STAGE ELECTRICS, WHYSIWHY, and the BBC. His global exposure has equipped him with a broad skill set and a deep understanding of stage technology. |
| Kuo Jian Hong (Singapore)  |
Kuo Jian Hong is the Artistic Director of The Theatre Practice (Practice), theatre director, designer, and filmmaker, Kuo Jian Hong has always taken on multi-faceted roles. She has led more than 200 theatre projects, in a career spanning three decades. Hong is a leading proponent of the Chinese Language Original Musical Theatre genre, with award-winning works like Lao Jiu: The Musical while her experimental ventures include I came at last to the seas for Esplanade’s "Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts". Hong is also a passionate advocate for Theatre for Young Audiences, known for The wee Question Mark series and The Nursery Rhymes Project. She pioneered Practice’s ventures into Digital Theatre, with works like XIMI and The Bride Always Knocks Twice — Killer Secrets. Under her direction, Practice continues to be a vital voice in the Singapore arts scene. |
| Terry Miranda (United Arab Emirates)  |
Terry Miranda is the Founder, CEO, and Creative Director of Lighthouse Productions (LHP), a multi-disciplinary, award-winning design agency based in the UAE. With over 33 years in the industry, he has led major lighting and design projects across the Middle East, including the Islamic Art Awards at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and large-scale Emirati theatrical productions. Under his leadership, LHP has received numerous international and governmental honors. In 2024, Terry received the TPI Magazine “Industry Recognition Award” for the Middle East & Asia, and was ranked among the global top 100. He is also a recipient of Dubai Culture’s prestigious Golden Visa. As LHP marks its 20th anniversary, Terry is returning to his roots in lighting design, creating immersive light art installations that aim to engage and inspire diverse audiences. |
| Laura Van Haperen (The Netherlands)  |
Laura Van Haperen is an authorized expert for installation approval according to DGUV V 17/18 (formerly BGV C1) for machinery and equipment for stages and other production facilities in the entertainment industry. With a Bachelor’s Degree in theatre and stage technology, she began her career as a production manager at a German opera house. She later worked as a business process analyst for a leading automated stage machinery manufacturer, focusing on safety, testing, installation, and quality management. Van Haperen is also an active member of the German Standards Institute (DIN) and serves on technical committees DIN NA 149 and CEN/TC 433, contributing to the development of safety and technical standards in the entertainment industry. |
| Christopher Wenn (Chris) (Australia)  |
Christopher Wenn is an award-winning sound designer, researcher, and educator based in Melbourne, Australia. He has created and performed work across Australia, Southeast Asia, the UK, and Europe, spanning theatre, live music, and inclusive performance for young people and people with disabilities. His sound designs and compositions have featured in productions by Malthouse, Red Stitch, St Martins Youth Theatre, and Esplanade – Theatres by the Bay, Singapore, etc. Interdisciplinary and experimental collaborations include projects with Kylie Supski, ReVerse Butcher, and Leather Coated Drones in Germany. As an educator, Wenn has taught technical production at Monash University, the University of Melbourne, and others. His research is published in Theatre and Performance Design and Australasian Theatre Studies. He received the 2018 Straits Times Life! Theatre Award and Green Room Award nominations for The Trouble With Harry and Rust and Bone. |
| Alexander Yakovlev (Russia)  |
Alexander Yakovlev is a theatre lighting consultant and stage technology expert with extensive experience across Europe and Asia. Since 2015, he has worked as an independent consultant with leading theatres, festivals, and cultural institutions, and has been based in Germany since 2023. Trained in Electrical Engineering and Communication Networks, Yakovlev brings a strong technical foundation to lighting design, project management, and system planning. He led the stage lighting project for the Mariinsky-2 Theatre in Saint Petersburg and has contributed to major venues including the Komische Oper Berlin, Salzburg Festival Halls, and International Performance Center Shenzhen. Yakovlev has provided technical support for over 40 festivals and numerous productions, shaping unforgettable stage experiences through precision and innovation. He has also been a member of the OISTAT Technology Commission since 2013. |
