Jesse Dreikosen

Jesse Dreikosen is Associate Chair and Associate Professor of Scene Design in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Idaho, part of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. He has previously served as Associate Professor and Head of Design and Production at Florida International University and was the resident scene designer at New Theatre in South Florida.

His educational background includes a Master of Fine Arts in Scene Design from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design from Viterbo University.

Jesse's research and professional work focus on scenographic design for contemporary and classical theatre, with a strong emphasis on new play development and world premiere productions. His designs have been featured at major regional theatres including the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Contemporary American Theater Festival, and 6th Street Playhouse. He is particularly known for his work on productions such as 'Niceties,' 'Wild Horses,' 'Not Medea,' and 'The Glass Menagerie,' which earned him multiple regional awards.

His recent projects reflect a consistent engagement with both musical theatre and dramatic works, spanning genres from historical dramas to contemporary social commentaries. The articles and design projects demonstrate a deep integration of narrative, space, and visual storytelling, with recurring themes in political theatre, feminist reinterpretations, and American cultural history.

• 2015-2016 Marquee Theater Journalists Association Award for Outstanding Set Design, 'A Christmas Carol,' 6th Street Playhouse
• 2015 Sonoma County Stage One Theatre Award (SOTA) for Best Scenic Design, 'The Glass Menagerie,' 6th Street Playhouse
• 2015 San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award (SFBATCC) for Best Scenic Design, 'The Glass Menagerie,' 6th Street Playhouse
• 2014 Nominated for San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award (SFBATCC) for Best Scenic Design, 'Red,' 6th Street Playhouse
• 2009 The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Fellow in Design, Region IV, Florida International University

Jesse has advised MFA students through courses such as THE 513 (MFA Design Studio) and THE 596 (MFA Exit Project), guiding them in professional off-campus studio work. He has been actively involved in national theatre education initiatives, currently serving as Vice-Commissioner of Education in the Scene Design & Technologies Commission for USITT and as Immediate Past National Chair of Design, Technology and Management for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), indicating sustained leadership in academic theatre networks and grant-supported outreach programs.

His outreach and leadership roles in USITT and KCACTF highlight his commitment to advancing design education and fostering national collaborations in theatre technology and pedagogy.