designer

A scenic designer based in Iowa, Eric has designed 140+ productions for theatre and opera since 1995 – on stages in California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Utah and Wisconsin – with work touring across
the country.

collaborator

As a scenic designer, Eric is an artist exploring the use of technology, wood, metal, paint and pixels – a creative collaborator. In his work, he unites theatre, sculpture, and new media onstage in ways that are evocative, unique, and supportive of the play. Each production is unique unto itself: a live, interactive, synthesized event. The connections formed with each collaboration stimulate an inimitable fusion of artistry. With that comes the trust and willingness to explore new interpretations, innovative use of materials, and multi-disciplinary art forms onstage.

teacher

In August 2023, Eric moved to Virginia, where he is the Director of Theatre Design & Production and an Associate Professor of Scenic Design at the Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University. He is working with BFA designers and technicians, as well as designing musicals, operas, and events for the Conservatory.

After 15 years at University of Iowa, Eric is now an Ermeritus Professor. He served as the Director of Graduate Studies and the head of the MFA and BA design program, as well as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Faculty Assembly. In 2016, Eric was awarded University of Iowa's prestigious collegiate teaching award. He modernized the MFA thesis for the Design Program at University of Iowa's Department of Theatre Arts: starting in 2014, MFA designers' work is shared in a digital archive.

Previously, he ran the scenic design program at the University of Illinois (2001-2008), and was the Resident Scenic Designer at PCPA Theatrefest (1995-2001).

Since 1995, he has mentored scores of student designers through their own aesthetic & technical growth, teaching in the areas of scenic design, rendering, computer aided drafting, computer visualization, website design, model building, hand drafting, and period styles, as well as advising over 200 student-designed productions

personal

Eric and his wife Jenny, a fellow educator, have three adult kids (spread out across 2 continents) and a slobbery, but lovable 110-pound lab/Great Dane mix. They like to hike, cycle, snowshoe (despite Iowa’s frigid temps), and play a ferocious game of Bananagrams. Eric’s guilty passion is the Tour de France. He watched 12 stages live in 2010 and 6 stages live in 2016. He is certain that one day he will convince his wife that buying a tandem bike really is a great idea.

memberships

united scenic artists, local 829
usitt

education

MFA . Ohio University
BA . Lewis & Clark College

a notice from local 829

The designs and/or design concepts represented on this website are the
product of the designers listed in the credits. The intention of this presentation
is to offer a pictoral resume to advance the career of the designers listed.
All rights and ownership of the designs and/or design concepts are and shall remain the property of the designer and may not be copied, reproduced or
in any way used without the express written permission of the designer.