TEL: 412.779.7498
EMAIL: giannidowns@gmail.com
Gianni | Scenic Designer
Gianni’s work in Scenic Design has been nationally recognized with a Kevin Kline Award for In the Next Room, or the vibrator play at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, two Kevin Kline nominations for Crime and Punishment and The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and an Irene Ryan nomination for his design for The Dazzle at Stoneham Theatre. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Gianni is currently the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Theatre Department at the University of Pittsburgh Department and a Lecturer in Scenic Design and Scenic Art. His work has has been seen by audiences regionally at companies like City Theatre, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, PICT Theatre, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Primestage Theatre, Theatre Squared, Stoneham Theatre, as well as many others . Gianni received his MFA from Brandeis University, and has had the pleasure of being an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Westminster College, a Special Faculty Member in Scenic Design at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, a Visiting Professor of Lighting Design at the University of Pittsburgh, and an adjunct faculty member at Point Park University.
PORTFOLIO
CONTACT US
WELCOME
Gianni is a freelance scenic designer based in Pittsburgh. Scroll down to view his resume and portfolio.
ABOUT ME
RESUME
Title 1
Education:
M.F.A. Scenic Design, Brandeis University, May 2003
B.S. Theatre Arts with a Fine Art minor, University of New Hampshire, May 1998
Academic Experience:
The University of Pittsburgh:
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Theatre Arts Department, September 2014-present
Lecturer in Scenic Design and Scene Painting, September 2013-present
Courses taught and developed:
Scene Design 1, Introduction to Theatre Design, Theatre Special Topics in Design: Computer Applications, Theatre Special Topics in Design: Introduction to Media Design for Performance
Visiting Lecturer of Lighting Design in the Theatre Department, September 2004- May 2006
Courses: Introduction to Lighting Design, Introduction to Stagecraft,
Introduction to Theatre Design, Theatre Production
Westminster College
Assistant Professor of Theatre, August 2009-May 2011
Courses: Introduction to Theatre, Theatrical Production, Theatre Practicum, and
Basic Theatrical Design
Carnegie Mellon University:
Special Faculty in the School of Drama, September 2006-May 2009
Courses: History of Architecture and Décor, Scene Design 1B, Business Practices for Designers, Computer Applications: Dreamweaver, 3D Scene Design Skills,
Introduction to Scene Design, Basic Design, Studiocraft 1, Studiocraft 2, and
Hand Drafting
Point Park University:
Adjunct Faculty in Scene Design, Fall Semester 2004
Course: Scene Design 1
Awards and Nominations:
2019 Recipient of the University of Pittsburgh's Provost's Personal Education Grant
2019 Nomination for the St. Louis Theatre Circle's Award for Best Set Design for The Humans
2018 Recipient of the Innovation in Education Award through the University of Pittsburgh
2017 Tina and David Bellet Teaching Excellence Award at the University of Pittsburgh
2017 Nominated for the Ampco-Pittsburgh Prize for Excellence in Advising Award
2015 Recipient of the Innovation in Education Award through the University of Pittsburgh, funding of $19,557 for instructional use
2012 Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Scenic Design for St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s production of In the Next Room; or the vibrator play
2012 Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Best Play (3 way tie): Chekhov Festival
2011 Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Best Play(s): House and Garden
2010 River Front Times Best Set Design for St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s production of Crime and Punishment
2010 Kevin Kline Nomination for Outstanding Scenic Design for St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s production of Crime and Punishment
2009 Kevin Kline Nomination for Outstanding Scenic Design for St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s production of The Lieutenant of Inishmore
2005 Nomination for the Independent Reviewers of New England’s Award for Excellence in Scenic Design for Stoneham Theatre’s production of The Dazzle
Production Experience:
2019:
Scenic Designs for St. Michael's Playhouse productions of The 39 Steps and Laughter on the 32nd Floor
Scenic Design for UPitt Stages Production of Into the Woods
Scenic Design for Point Park Conservatory's production of Vinegar Tom
2018:
Scenic Design for UPitt Stage's production of Much Ado About Nothing
Scenic Design for City Theatre's production of Nomad Motel
Scenic Design for The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's production of The Humans
Projection Design for UPitt Stage's production of Recoil
2017:
Scenic Design for UPitt Stage's production of Parade
Scenic Design for Front Porch Theatrical's production of Big Fish
Scenic Design for Kinetic Theatre's production of The Liar
Scenic Design for Resonance Works production of Falstaff
Scenic Design for UPitt Stages production of Peter and the Star Catcher
Scenic Design for Point Park Conservartory's production of Big Love
2016:
Scenic Design for UPitt Stages production of Intimate Apparel
Scenic Design for UPitt Stages production of Nine
Scenic Design for UPitt Stages production of Rhinoceros
Scenic Design for St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s production of Molly’s Hammer
Scenic Design for City Theatre’s production of Some Brighter Distance
2015:
Scenic Design for UPitt Stages production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream
Scenic Design for UPitt Stages production of Good Kids
Scenic Design for Theatre Squared’s production of Water by the Spoonful
Scenic Design for Point Park University’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire
Scenic Design for City Theatre’s production of Oblivion
2014:
Scenic Design for UPitt Stages production of Love Letters
Scenic Design for UPitt Stages production of Avenue Q
Scenic Design for St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s production of A Kid Like Jake
Scenic Design for Front Porch Theatrical’s production of Parade
Scenic Design for Kinetic Theatre’s production of Romance
Scenic Design for PICT Theatre’s production of Woman and Scarecrow
Scenic Design for Point Park Playhouse’s production of The Playboy of the Western World
Scenic Design for UPitt Stages’ production of In the Heights
2013:
Scenic Design for UPitt Stages’ production of Venus
Scenic Design for Point Park Playhouse’s production of Soldier’s Heart
Scenic Design for Off The Wall’s production of Well
Resident Scenic Designer for PICT Theatre’s 2013 Season. Designs included Our Class, The Kreutzer Sonata, and A Skull in Connemara
Production Manager for PICT Theatre’s 2013 Season
Scenic Design for Guiding Star Dance Foundation’s production of Arranged Marriage
Scenic Design for Allegheny College’s production of Anna in the Tropics
Environmental Designer for Carnegie Mellon University’s New Works Festival 4-6
2012:
Production Manager for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s 2012 Season
Resident Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s 2012 season. Designs included In the Next Room, or the vibrator play, Pitmen Painters, Three Sisters, Ivanov, After Play, Yalta Game, The Proposal, The Bear, Swan Song, Drama, The Evils of Tobacco, and School for Lies.
Scenic Designer for Point Park University’s production of The Crucible
Environmental Designer for Carnegie Mellon University’s New Works Festival 1-3
Scenic Designer for Point Park Playhouse’s production of Rope
Environmental Designer for Carnegie Mellon University’s New Works Festival 4-6
2011:
Production Manager for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s 2011 Season
Resident Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s 2011 season. Designs included House, Garden, Race, and The Mask of Moriarty
Associate Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest
Scenic Designer for Point Park University’s production of Twelfth Night
Scenic Designer for Point Park University’s production of Illyria
Environmental Designer for Carnegie Mellon University’s New Works Festival 1-3
Production Designer for Westminster College’s production of The Children’s Hour
Scenic Designer for St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s production of In the Next Room; or the vibrator play
Production Designer for Westminster College’s production of Red Herring
2010:
Resident Scenic Designer for the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre. Productions included: Othello, The Hothouse, The Dumb Waiter, Betrayal, Celebration, The Room, No Man’s Land, and Hobson’s Choice
Production Designer for Westminster College’s production of A Little Night Music
Scenic and Lighting Designer for Stoneham Theatre’s production of The Turn of the Screw
Scenic Designer for St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s Crime and Punishment
Production Designer for Westminster College’s production of The Misanthrope
2009:
Production Designer for Westminster College’s production of Rabbit Hole
Resident Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre. Productions included: What the Butler Saw, Doubt, The History Boys, Crime and Punishment, and Jane Eyre
Scenic Designer for Stoneham Theatre’s production of Strangers on a Train
Scenic Designer for Prime Stage Theatre’s production of Twelve Angry Men
Scenic Designer for Point Park Conservatory’s production of The Rocky Horror Show
Scenic Designer for Point Park Conservatory’s production of Hot L Baltimore
2008:
Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s Production of Dublin Carol
Scenic Designer for Prime Stage’s production of The Hound of the Baskervilles
Scenic Designer for St. Louis Repertory’s production of The Lieutenant of Inishmore
Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of The Synge Cycle
Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of Playboy of the Western World
Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of Salome
Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of Wilde Tales
Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of An Ideal Husband
Scenic Designer for Prime Stage Theatre’s production of The Outsiders
Scenic Designer for Stoneham Theatre’s production of The Cutting
Scenic Designer for Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s production of The Missionary Position
2007:
Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of Pride and Prejudice
Scenic Designer for Prime Stage Theatre’s production of Inherit the Wind
Scenic Designer for Stoneham Theatre’s production of Gypsy
Scenic Designer for Point Park Conservatory’s production of Top Girls
Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of Private Lives
Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of The Lieutenant of Inishmore
Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of Stuff Happens
Scenic Designer for The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of Nine Parts of Desire
Scenic Designer for The City Theatre’s production of The Missionary Position
Scenic Designer for Prime Stage Theatre’s production of The Diary of Anne Frank
Scenic Designer for Stoneham Theatre’s production of The Grapes of Wrath
Scenic Designer for Point Park Conservatory’s production of The Skin of Our Teeth
2006:
Scenic Consultant for Carnegie Mellon School of Drama production of Man is Man
Scene Design for Point Park Conservatory’s production of The Rover
Scene Design for Pittsburgh Irish and Classical’s production of Boston Marriage
Scenic Design for Klasikos Theatre’s production of Oedipus the King
Scenic Design for Klasikos Theatre’s production of Ubu the King
Light baffle design for Staging Productions
Drop Design for the McKeesport First Methodist Church, Producing company: Staging Productions
Lighting Design for The Stoneham Theatre’s production of Owen Meany
2005:
Scenic Design for UPitt Repertory’s production of Lie of the Mind
Lighting Design for UPitt Repertory’s production of Pericles
Lighting and Scenic Designs for UPitt Repertory’s production of Old Times
Scenic Design for Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama’s production of Lysistrata
Master Electrician for Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of Heartbreak House
Projection images for Saints and Poets Society reading of Saffronia
Scenic Design for the Prime Stage production of The Cay
Scenic Design for Point Park University’s production of A Flea in Her Ear
Lighting Design for UPitt Repertory’s production of Rashomon
Scenic Design for Carnegie Mellon University’s Music Department production of L’Italiana in Algieri
Scenic Design for Shakespeare in the Schools’ production of Rachel Carson Saves the Day
2004:
Williamstown Theatre Festival:
Assistant Scenic Designer to Allen Moyer, The Cherry Orchard
Assistant Scenic Designer to Susan Hillferty, Rodney’s Wife
Scenic Design for Sagal Fellowship, Eurydice, Directed by Meredith McDonough
Studio Assistant for Anne Mundell, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre’s production of Travesties
Furniture finisher for Serbin Furniture
Exhibit Finisher for Labyrinth Designs
Scenic Design for Stoneham Theatre’s production of The Dazzle
2003:
Williamstown Theatre Festival:
Assistant Scenic Designer to Allen Moyer, Landscape of the Body
Assistant Scenic Designer to Michael Carnahan, The Chekov Cycle
Act I Scenic Design, The Burden of Sunflowers, Directed by Ted Sluberski
Director’s Project Scenic Design, Disco Pigs, Directed by Susanne Agins
A Raft of Grass, Property Design, Boston Theatre Marathon
2002:
Lighting Designer for Brandeis University acting program’s movement project
Scenic Designer for Brandeis University’s production of Love for Love
Electrician and Board Operator for Paulette Dance School’s year end production
Scenic Design for Brandeis University’s production of Trigger
2001:
Lighting Designer for Brandeis University’s production of The Wake of Jamie Foster
Lighting Designer for Brandeis University acting program’s movement project
Assistant Scenic Designer to Milla Pavelka, Brandeis University production of Summerfolk
Scenic Designer for Brandeis University’s production of The Psychic Life of Savages
Over-hire electrician for Limelight Productions
Electrician and Board Operator for Paulette Dance School year end production
Over-hire electrician for ART
Assistant Scenic Designer to Milla Pavelka, ART institute production of The Water Pail
Assistant Scenic Designer to Milla Pavelka, Brandeis University production of Professional Skepticism
Over-hire electrician and carpenter for New Repertory Theatre
Assistant Scenic Designer to Angie Dufresne, Brandeis University production of The Diviners
2000:
Graduate assistantship in Brandeis University electric shop
Assistant Scenic Designer to Margaret Cho, Brandeis University production of Merrily We Roll Along
Scenic Designer for Annie Warbucks, Lakes Region Summer Theatre
Scenic Designer for Fiddler on the Roof, Lakes Region Summer Theatre
Scenic Designer for Singing in the Rain, Lakes Region Summer Theatre
Studio Assistant Scenic Designer to Timothy Amrhein
Lighting Designer for UPitt Repertory’s production of The Adding Machine
Assistant Scenic Artist to Stephanie Miller, Carnegie Library installation
Lighting Designer for The Dark Part of the Forest, Lester Hamburgh Theatre
University of Pittsburgh Master Electrician and Shop Foreman