Jesse Dreikosen, Associate Professor and Head of Design & Production in the FIU Department of Theatre, has been nominated for a Best Set Design award by The San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle (SFBATCC), for his work on the play, Red, by John Logan. The winners will be announced at a gala in California, on May 5th 2014. “The SFBATCC is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and serving theatres of all types and sizes in the greater region by recognizing excellence and outstanding achievement in the field.” Red, directed by Craig A. Miller and presented by 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa California, in May 2013, is about the famous American abstract painter, Mark Rothko, who tries to resolve his inner-turmoil over a thirst for ambition and the burden of his own vulnerability. We are wishing Professor Dreikosen the best of luck!
Additionally, Jesse was invited to work as the Scenic Designer for a production of The Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare, at The Alabama Shakespeare Festival, which opened earlier this month. This will be his third time designing a set for The Taming of the Shrew, but the use of different themes continues to make his work interesting and challenging. He has been participating in the Texas Shakespeare Festival for the past five seasons which was where his work was recognized by the Artistic Director of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival who approached him to work on this project. Jesse is very excited about the opportunities this could bring to his students and the connections for the University. More importantly, The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is a member of The League of Resident Theatres (LORT), which is the largest professional theatre association of its kind in the United States. This project will lead to greater exposure for his work.
