معرفی
Todd Rosenthal serves as the Jaharis Family Foundation Endowed Professor of Theater in the Department of Theatre at Northwestern University's School of Communication. A Chicago-based set designer with an international reputation, Rosenthal has designed for Broadway, Off-Broadway, major regional theaters across the United States, and international productions in London, Dublin, Sydney, and Ireland. His work spans theater, opera, and exhibition design, establishing him as a versatile and influential figure in scenic design.
Rosenthal earned his MFA in Set/Lighting Design from Yale University and his BA in English/Theater from Colgate University. His design philosophy emphasizes creating immersive environments that serve as active participants in storytelling rather than mere backdrops. His work often features innovative spatial arrangements, attention to historical detail, and a strong sense of how physical environments shape narrative and character development.
Throughout his career, Rosenthal's work has demonstrated consistent excellence across multiple genres and formats, from intimate Off-Broadway productions to large-scale Broadway shows and international opera productions. His designs for August: Osage County (winning both Tony and Olivier Awards) and other major productions reveal his ability to create environments that are simultaneously realistic and metaphorically rich. His exhibition design work through XL Scenic further demonstrates his capacity to translate theatrical design principles to museum contexts.
Major Awards and Honors:
- 2024 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Set Design for Matchbox Magic Flute
- 2019 USITT Distinguished Achievement Award
- 2009 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Set Design (first American set designer)
- 2008 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Play for August: Osage County
- 2013 Helen Hayes Award for Best Set Design for Red
- Multiple Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations (21 nominations total)
Rosenthal's teaching at Northwestern University focuses on developing the next generation of theater designers through courses including Stagecraft: Scenery, Design Process: Scene Design, and Advanced Studies in Scenic Design. He has been instrumental in connecting academic training with professional practice, often bringing real-world design challenges into the classroom. His work with XL Scenic provides students with exposure to exhibition design principles beyond traditional theater contexts. Rosenthal was named one of Newcity magazine's 50 Players 2025: The 50 People Who Really Perform for Chicago, highlighting his significant impact on Chicago's arts scene.
