Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
For the past 25 years, I've worked full time in the Philadelphia region as a freelance set and prop designer. In 2011, I began working at the Arden Theatre Company as their full time Props Supervisor. Throughout my time there, I improved my knowledge of materials, tools, design programs and inventory management. Collaborating with nationally recognized directors and designers was both educational and inspiring. Since receiving a Barrymore nomination for Outstanding Scenic Design in 2016 for Simpatico's Time Is On Our Side, my set design career has begun to take more of a central focus to my career. As of May 2022, I left the prop position at the Arden to pursue freelance set and prop designing full time. Since making that move, I have been nominated for four more Barrymore Awards for my set design work: Alice in Wonderland at People's Light, Man of La Mancha at Delaware Theatre Company, Torch Song at 1812 Productions and winning the award in 2025 for Playboy of the Western World at Inis Nua Theatre Company. In 2017, I started teaching Scenery and Prop Technology to the next generation of theatre artists at my alma mater, The University of the Arts. In the fall of 2022, I took over as the instructor for the Props Practicum course where I remained until the abrupt and devastating closure of the university in 2024. More recently, I helmed the props department for the world premieres of The Hook in Atlantic City and Disco Show in Las Vegas both produced by Spiegelworld. As a member of the Interior Creative Team, I also gathered décor and helped decorate several bars throughout both venues as well as the dining rooms of their new restaurants: Superfrico (Atlantic City) and Diner Ross (Las Vegas). Also, helped decorate Spiegelworld's pop-up version of their speakeasy bar Ski Lodge as part of the F1 Race in Miami at the Hard Rock Arena and in Las Vegas both within the Mercedes Pavilion. In 2024, also for Spiegelworld, I designed the set and props of Lady Magic, a world premier magic clown show which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The summer of 2024 also saw my first TV scenic design for PBS/WHYY's new kids show Good Neighbor Club. Proud member of the Society of Props Managers and serving as the Board President of Philadelphia Scenic Works (the nation's only non-profit scene shop) since May 2026.
Designing the set for the Lantern's 2026-2027 Season Opener: SUMMER 1976 directed by Kate Galvin. Making my Lantern design debut!
Designed, constructed, sourced and installed decor, props and set dressing for the Capital One MLB All-Star Village at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in July 2026.
Designed the sets for LOVE, LIES AND TAXIDERMY, A HUNDRED WORDS FOR SNOW, PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD (received Barrymore Award for Outstanding Scenic Design 2025), SQUARE GO and SAME TEAM.
Designed the set and props for GIRL DOLLS: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL by Jackie Soro and Pax Ressler, directed by MK Toumanen and produced in partnership with The Bearded Ladies Cabaret and FringeArts.
Responsible for the design, construction, rental, purchase and maintenance of props and set dressing for all nine productions during the Arden's season. Besides propping the shows, he maintains and manages the Arden's vast prop collection and prop shop. He also inspires and educates the next generation of theatre leaders through the Arden's internship and apprenticeship programs. As part of the Arden's Writers' Room series, he designed the set and props for Rachel Bonds' AT THE OLD PLACE directed by Ed Sobel in the Arcadia Theatre in 2013. He was the production designer for EVERY BRILLIANT THING by Duncan Macmillan, directed by Terrence J. Nolen in 2017. It was the inaugural production in the Arden's newest theatre space, The Bob and Selma Horan Studio Theatre at the Hamilton Family Arts Center. The production was remounted in 2019 and traveled to Milwaukee Rep later that year. Chris designed SNOW WHITE in the Arcadia Theatre in 2018. This was a world premier of a new adaptation by Greg Banks who also directed the show. In the fall of 2019, Chris designed the set of TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS by Nia Vardalos adapted from the book by Cheryl Strayed again in the Arcadia Theatre. During the pandemic shutdown, he production designed the virtual productions of ROBI HAGER: SO FAR written and directed by Robi Hager, NO CHILD by Nilaja Sun, directed by Justin Jain, and SISTERS! a cabaret featuring Joilet Harris and Mary Martello, directed by Terry Nolen. Chris set designed and propped the world premier of R. Eric Thomas' BACKING TRACK. Most recently, he set designed STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES by John Glore, directed by Steve Pacek.