Alan E. Schwanke
ABOUT ME (The Short Version)
I am an ambitious Scenic Designer working to transcend my own locational obstacles to do larger projects with emotional depth and creative innovation. I am excited to collaborate with storytellers of similar ambition and enthusiasm in all varieties of live performance: Plays, Musicals, Opera, Dance, Puppetry, and so much more.
I consider myself a steward of the Collaborative Storytelling Design Process (Research, Drawing, & Modeling) while incorporating mastery of New/Emerging Technologies (3D Rendering, Laser Cutting, & 3D Printing). It is my belief that all theatrical storytellers share three distinct but common interests: Creation, Discovery, & Collaboration. We all have some combination of the three but my number 1 is “Discovery.” Each new project offers an opportunity to discover; to learn. I am at my best when I can make discoveries and apply knowledge to my work as a storyteller.
In addition to being the Primary Designer of my own work, I have been lucky to work with many major theater companies as an assistant and an associate designer to Todd Rosenthal (Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, The Goodman, 2nd Stage Theatre Broadway, Royal National Theatre of London, The Metropolitan Opera, Mark Taper Forum, The Guthrie, The Alliance Theatre). I am a graduate of Northwestern University’s Theatrical Design Program, a participant in Ming Cho Lee’s “Clambake Portfolio Review,” and a member of the United Scenic Artists Union U.S.A. Local 829.
Currently I am the Assistant Professor of Scenic Design for The Department of Theatre at The University of Alabama Birmingham. I joined the Faculty in the Fall of 2022 and I teach Scenic Design, Introduction to Theatrical Design, and Drafting for Theatrical Design & Collaboration.
I would love to work with you! Please contact me to make it happen!
Upcoming Projects:
AMADEUS - directed by Anna Shapiro, Steppenwolf Theatre (Chicago, IL)
THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER - directed by Valerie Accetta, UAB Department of Theatre (Birmingham, AL)
DON’T ASK - A New Play by Hayley Procacci & Co-Directed by Karla Koskinen, UAB Department of Theatre (Birmingham, AL)
Unannounced Collaboration - Terrific New Theatre (Birmingham, AL)
Unannounced Collaboration - co-production for the UAB Department of Theatre and Red Mountain Theater (Birmingham, AL)