Bio:
Katia Carmichael is an SFX design associate at J&M Special Effects, where she collaborates with head designer Jeremy Chernick on the development and execution of special effects for Broadway, live events, museum installations, and international productions. She oversees projects from concept through execution, coordinating across creative teams, production departments, vendors, and clients while ensuring compliance with industry safety standards, including FDNY and Actors' Equity regulations.
Most recently, Katia worked with Jeremy on the special effects for the 2022 Broadway and 2026 West End productions of Beetlejuice The Musical; and for five performances at the 2026 Tony Awards: The Book of Mormon, Lost Boys, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York, and Ragtime.
Katia's other projects include the Tony Award-winning Best Musical The Outsiders, Disney Theatrical Group's The Greatest Showman, and Doja Cat's performance at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
Coming up, Katia and Jeremy are designing the special effects for the Metropolitan Opera's world premiere of Lincoln in the Bardo, opening October 19, 2026; and for the Alamo Museum's Immersive 4D Theater in San Antonio, opening in 2027.
Known for her organization, collaborative approach, and creative problem‑solving, Katia bridges artistic vision and technical execution across some of live entertainment’s most ambitious projects – from large‑scale productions spanning multiple time zones to permanent installations – she brings precision, imagination, and cohesion to every production.