Personal Summary

Mike Monsos is a professor of Scenic Design/Technology in Theatre & Dance at The University of Montana.  Mike has a BFA and an MFA in scenery and lighting design from UM as well as an MS in Architectural Studies from The University of Utah.  He has worked and designed for many regional theatres including the Idaho Repertory Theatre, Montana Repertory Theatre, Arizona Broadway Theatre, Missoula Children’s Theatre, and the Bigfork Summer Playhouse.  In addition, Mike has been a contributing author for the book, Late & Great: American Designers 1960-2010, published by Broadway Press and USITT and for the upcoming book, World Scenography 1990-2005 Vol 2 published by OISTAT.  Mike has also had several articles published in Theatre Design & Technology (TD&T).  Beyond writing, designing and teaching, Mike Chaired the Missoula Historic Preservation Commission for 8 years and is active in his professional organization, the United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT) where he has served on their Board of Directors and on the Publications, International and Conference committees for many years.  Mike also served as the Project Manager, in charge of the construction for the exhibits from the United States in the 2011 Prague Quadrennial.  Mike and his wife Darci have two boys; Trevor and Nick.

Education

MFA, University of Montana, 2001
MS, University of Utah, 1999

Courses Taught

Scene Design, Stagecraft, Drafting, AutoCAD, Stage Rigging, Architectural History

Teaching Experience

Taught at the collegiate level for 30 years.

Research Interests

architectural history, historical theatres and technology

Field of Study

Scenic design, Lighting design, set construction, technical direction, stage rigging

Publications

Authored the third edition of "Stock Scenery Construction"

Contributing author for "World Scenography 1990-2005"

Contributing author for "Late & Great, American Designers 1990-2010"

Multiple articles in the journal "Theatre Design and Technology" (TD&T)

Master's Thesis, "A Handbook for the Preservation and Restoration for Historic Theatres"

Affiliations

United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)

Specialized Skills

Historic Theatre consulting, historic preservation, carpentry, stage rigging

Professional Experience

In addition to teaching I have worked with Arizona Broadway Theatre, Missoula Children's Theatre, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Idaho Repertory Theatre, 3DX Scenic at Busch Gardens Tampa, Montana Repertory Theatre, Virginia City, Fort Peck.

I have served as a theatre consultant for multiple theatres.

International Experience

Project Manager for the United States entry for the 2011 Prague Quadrennial.  I have particpated in study tours of the Czech republic, Romania, Hungary and Greece.  I recently led a study tour of Germany and the Czech Republic.  I have traveled extensively on my own and lived for two years in my youth in Germany.

Honors / Awards

Phi Kappa Phi