Michael Oesch

*Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829, the Union of Professional Designers*

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Education:  M.F.A. University of California, Davis, graduated June 2004

B.F.A. Illinois Wesleyan University, graduated May 1999

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Awards: 

Theatre Bay Area award for Outstanding Lighting Design - Next to Normal

Shellie award winner for Outstanding Lighting Design - Grease

Arty award winner for Outstanding Lighting Design - The Lion in Winter

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Nominations:

Shellie award nomination for Lighting Design - Gypsy

Shellie award nomination for Lighting Design -

By the Way, Meet Vera Stark

Isadora Duncan award nomination for Visual Design -

Dances of the Sacred & Profane

San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle nomination for Lighting Design - Into the Woods

San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle nomination for Lighting Design - My Fair Lady

San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle nomination for Lighting Design - The Fantasticks

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I am a Professional Lighting Designer who specializes in designing Musicals, Opera, Ballet, and Theatre,  based in San Francisco, California. I have been designing lighting for stage productions for over 20 years, and I have lit over 300 productions. 

 

I am drawn to the collaborative nature of stage design.  I strive to bring the visions of the authors, composers, directors, and my fellow designers, to life on the stage.
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Some of the theatre companies that I have designed lighting for are San Francisco Playhouse, Arizona Theatre Company, The Magic Theatre, El Teatro Campesino, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Broadway by the Bay, West Edge Opera Festival, Berkeley Playhouse, 42nd Street Moon, Center Repertory Company, Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre, Trinity Lyric Opera, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Douglas Morrison Theatre, Project Artaud, and Peninsula Youth Theatre among others.
 

I also have extensive experience in designing lighting for dance, and touring productions for Dance and Ballet.  I have been designing lighting for Smuin Ballet since 2004.  I have designed over 20 ballets for that company.  I have also designed lighting for many other dance companies including Sacramento Ballet, 13th Floor Dance Theatre, Mark Foehringer Dance Company, Alonzo King's Lines Ballet (training company), Tango & More, and Dance Continuum, among others.

 

I have also worked as a guest artist/lecturer at several educational institutions including San Francisco State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Solano College Theatre Department.

 

Live performance inspires me.  I love the special connection of working with my fellow professionals, to bring the stage performance to life, and to affect the lives of the audience members.

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