J.D. Madsen

JD Madsen is professional freelance Scenic Designer and Director and has joined the faculty at the University’s Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film to teach scenic design and to continue researching and developing new techniques and uses in digital media for theatre designers, as well as the intersection of storytelling in experience design.  His area of special interests are the integration of 3D and digital design techniques with classic design approaches, and how they can further our abilities as story tellers and collaborators; as well as how we utilize space to create immersive environments for new storytelling experiences. JD enjoys exploring the intersections between gaming and storytelling. Those approaches will hopefully create new avenues of process art for young designers, as well as change the paradigm for clarity in communication between designers, directors, and artisans; but more importantly how an audience experiences the story.

JD has had the opportunity to design for the Kennedy Center, international exhibits in Hong Kong, the Smithsonian Institute, as well as for the Tony Award winning Signature Theatre. He has also worked with Electronic Arts, Indie Built, and several other video game and media production companies. He has many regional theatre companies credits, including but not limited to productions of: Legally Blonde, Assassins, Beauty and the Beast, The Addams Family, One Man Two Guvnors, The Cripple of Inishmaan, and West Side Story. He also designs for Opera and Dance as the opportunities allow.

Education/Training:

- MFA in Scenic Design, Department TDPS, University of Maryland-College Park, 2012
- Bachelors in Theatre Arts and Visual Art, Department of Performing Arts/Visual Art, Weber State University, 2006

Area of Specialization and interests:

Scenic Design, Visual Art, Sculpture, Photography, Digital Media and it uses in Design, Film Making and Editing

Representative Productions:

REGIONAL:  Pas de Duex, The Temperamentals, Cripple of Inishmaan, Italian American Reconciliation, West Side Story, The Addams Family, Beauty and the Beast, King Lear, Carousel, Sweet Charity, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Two Character Play, Reckless, The Binding Lady, The Crucible, Dracula, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, Songs for a New World, 1776, Big River, Suessical, Wizard of Oz, Forever Plaid.
Associate Design Credits: Shakespeare Theatre Gala ’12 & ’13, The Game’s Afoot, Cyrano, August Osage County.
Other: Enchanted April, Minotaur, A Child Shall Lead Them: The Making of the Night of the Hunter, Beidermann and the Firebugs, Cabaret, The Country Wife, Really Rosie, The Utter Glory of Morrisey Hall, A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream.