Lee O Barker

holds an MFA in Theatre – Design and Technology from UMKC. In his first season as a professional designer, Lee built almost every show he designed by himself. He has since learned to give up the control that comes with building his own show. His background as a carpenter greatly influences my design style. He is also increasingly interested in sustainable carpentry and design practices.

Lee imagines designs that create an environment that best serves the director’s vision and reflect a clean, but stylized realism. He is heavily influenced by the romanticism of opera design, and the theatricality of scale that is trending in contemporary opera productions. Lee particularly appreciates minimalism in detail coupled with grandeur in size and symbolism.

“I am a growing theatre artist and designer, seeking a new challenge. Each piece that I bring to life is a unique lesson that I carry with me into my next endeavor. I am a problem solver. I love addressing challenges without clear cut answers. I am a strong believer in the idea that theatre is a team sport, and that the success of the whole heavily relies on the open exchange of ideas and information. My favorite work comes from meaningful interdisciplinary collaboration.”