PJ Barnett’s first experience in theatre was in the Topeka Parks and Recreation summer camp, Production Workshop, facilitated by Helen Hocker Center for the Performing Arts. At the age of fourteen PJ received his first professional light design contract at Helen Hocker. Over the next few years he moved up to designing both lights and sets and in 1999 received the Topeka Performing Arts Center’s Young Artist of the Year Award for technical theater. During the summers of 2001 and 2002 PJ served as designer and technical director for Helen Hocker, supervising teenage volunteers and holding technical theatre workshops for the various summer camps. PJ attended Emporia State University for two years as part of the ESU Theatre Program before transferring to UMKC in 2002. While completing his undergraduate degree, PJ designed the set for the UMKC M.F.A. Theater Program’s production of Hot L Baltimore. In December of 2004, PJ graduated from UMKC Cum Laude with a B.A in Theatre and a B.A. in Philosophy.

In 2006 PJ returned to the UMKC Theatre Program to earn his M.F.A. in scenic design under the instruction of John Ezell. During his time at UMKC, PJ continued his work in theater for young audiences by providing the scenic designs for multiple shows at the Coterie Theatre including the world premiere of Jeremiah Neal’s U:BUG:ME. His passion for special effects and props has developed as shown by his extensive work as properties master on Martin McDonagh's The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Unicorn Theatre.

For nearly 10 years PJ has worked as a graphic artist and studio assistant in the studio of John Ezell, having worked on over 20 productions including Bold Strokes and Finesse: The Stage Designs of John Ezell. While at UMKC he has taught undergraduate classes in design for the theater and stage makeup and has worked as a props artisan and scenic painter on multiple shows for the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. In 2008 PJ combined his knowledge of design and philosophy by writing two papers addressing the media, religion, and the power of the image. He presented one of these papers as part of a panel titled “Catholic Theology and catholic Technology” at the Media Ecology Association’s ninth annual convention addressing ‘The Media and The Sacred’.

After completing his M.F.A., PJ took the position of scenic designer for Vista Productions, Inc. a corporate event planning and production company that works with Fortune 500 companies across the country. During his time there PJ designed and collaborated on events for numerous clients such as Sprint, Walmart, Bayer, Payless Shoesource, Helzberg Diamonds, and the Kansas City Royals. Along with his recent corporate designs, PJ has continued his work in theatre and is currently working on the set design for Lend Me a Tenor at the New Theatre Restaurant.

In addition to design and philosophy, PJ has spent a significant amount of time studying the Italian language and culture, having attended school in Italy on three separate occasions. PJ is an Eagle Scout, and a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi