Michael J. Riha has been on faculty at the University of Arkansas since 1992 and holds the position of Director of Design for the Master of Fine Arts program.  He has designed scenery, lighting, sound, and costumes (under protest only) for over 80 productions and has mentored over 75 student designers. His professional freelance work includes projects at the Muny in St Louis’ Forest Park, a 12000 seat outdoor professional theatre where he has worked with theatre professionals such as Producer and Director Mr. Paul Blake, Lighting Designers F. Mitchell Dana and David Lander and Tony Award winning actor Bruce Adler.  He has also worked as an assistant designer to Michael Anania on a production of Cinderella at the Onley Theater in Maryland. His most recent work was as the assistant designer for the National Tour of Fiddler on the Roof starring Topal. His designs have been featured at Hamilton College, NY, the University of Tulsa, OK, Theatre Squared, The Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival in Durant, OK, The Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, IN and the Subterranean Theatre Company in Los Angeles, CA.  He also continues to work outside of the theatre industry designing and painting trade show booths for such clients as Tyson Foods®, Levi®, and Coleman®. 

In his free time Michael enjoys spending time with his wife Anne, his daughter Breanna, his cat Diggy, and rides anywhere on his Harley.

Michael is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 and a proud member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology since 1991.

Education:

M.F.A. Indiana University
B.F.A. University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point

Major areas of interest:

Scene Design
Scene Painting
Lighting Design

Classes taught regularly:

Introduction to Theatrical Design
Scene Design
Rendering Techniques
Scene Painting I and II
History of Decor

Most recent productions:

Scene Design:

LEARNED LADIES
THE SEAGULL
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Scenery and Lighting)
I HATE HAMLET
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
DOUBT
TOMMY (Scenery and Lighting)

Professional Design Experience:

Served as assistant designer to Steve Gilliam, resident designer for the MUNY theatre in St. Louis for 3 seasons
Trade show booth design for Wal-Mart year end meeting for Sunbeam, Gillette, Ocean Spray, Rhodes, and First Alert
Year end sales meeting party design for Tyson Foods
Scenic artist and designer for trade show booth featuring the release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix