Dana W. Taylor served as director of Vocal Music and Technical Theatre instructor at Mt. Vernon Senior High School for thirty years. Mr. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting, each from Indiana University (Bloomington, IN). Mr. Taylor is a member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, the Entertainment Services and Technology Association and the Educational Theatre Association.
Mr. Taylor was named Technical Theatre Educator of the Year (2005) by Stage Directions magazine. In 2009, Mr. Taylor was named a Distinguished Alumni of the Indiana University “Singing Hoosiers”. In 2011 the Educational Theatre Association named Mr. Taylor as the recipient of their Founders’ Award for significant contributions to theatre education in the United States. Also in 2011, Mr. Taylor was designated as the “Artist of the Year” by the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana. In 2014, Mr. Taylor received the Distinguished Achievement Award in Education by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Mr. Taylor was the first high school educator so honored.
Mr. Taylor served as technical editor for Dramatics Magazine and Teaching Theatre Journal (2006-2017). In 2015, he served as technical theatre editor for the new "Drama Projects" textbook (9th Edition) and in 2015, served as technical editor for Jim Moody's "Concert Lighting: Techniques, Art and Business" (4th Edition).
Mr. Taylor currently serves as a Director for USITT (Midwest Section) and in the same capacity for the national organization, presents at educational conferences in the area of technical theatre and works with Local 102 IATSE.