They/Them and He/Him
How can we form and engage in deeper connections with each other through artistic design in storytelling? I'm curious about exploring how our identities can exist in space together in newly fresh takes.
Rye Mandel, is a freelance Scenic and Production Designer. They/He were/was adopted from Guilin, China, raised in New Orleans, and currently are/is based in Los Angeles.
Rye has previously worked summer stock positions as a scenic painter and props artisan. The companies include the Utah Shakespeare Festival (2021), the Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre (2019), and the Jefferson Performing Arts Society (2018).
Rye was recognized for "Meritorious Set Design" by the KCACTF Awards in 2018 for their design for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. In Spring 2021, Rye received an undergraduate degree in theatre from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. They/He are/is currently pursuing an MFA in Set and Production Design at UCLA's Theatre, Film, and Television program.
c.504.376.7655
ryemandel@gmail.com
CV/RESUME
THEATRE DESIGN EXPERIENCE
World Premiere*
DESIGN
Into the Woods | Projection Designer | Dir. Judith Moreland, UCLA School of Theater Film and Television
The Great Jheri Curl Debate* | Props Designer | Dir. Scarlett Kim, East West Players
11:38 From Fond Du Lac* | Scenic Designer | Dir. Sara Lyons, UCLA School of Theater Film and Television
Bootycandy (online) | Scenic Designer | Dir. Gregory Williams, Northwestern State University
The Odd Couple | Scenic Designer | Dir. Connor Loar, Playmakers Theatre
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead | Scenic Designer | Dir. Pia Wyatt, Northwestern State University
When We Were Young and Unafraid | Scenic Designer | Dir. Hannah Gallow, Northwestern State University
Shoebill* | Scenic Designer | Dir. Connor Loar & Nick Hebert, Northwestern State University
A Streetcar Named Desire | Scenic Designer | Dir. Vicki Parrish, Northwestern State University
Die, Mommie, Die! | Scenic Designer | Dir. Connor Loar, Northwestern State University
ASSISTANT DESIGN
The Romance of the Rose* | Assistant Scenic | Sc. Des. Prairie T. Trivuth, Long Beach Opera
The Brothers Paranormal | Assistant Props | Props Des. Michael O’Hara, East West Players
Pericles | Assistant Scenic | Sc. Des. Prairie T. Trivuth, UCLA School of Theater Film and Television
Newsies | Assistant Scenic | Sc. Des. Robert Richoux, Northwestern State University
Cat in the Hat: A Ballet* | Assistant Scenic | Sc. Des. Phil Kidd, Northwestern State University
FILM EXPERIENCE
T | Art Director | Production Des. Zev Rose, Feature
Love Poem | Props Master | Production Des. Michelle Joo, Short Film
Doldrums | Art Director | Production Des. Juliana Newman, Short Film
Johnny and the Dirt Nap | Props Master & Set Dresser | Production Des. Prairie T. Trivuth, Dir. Yao Llu, Short Film
Solstice | Co-Production Design | Dir.Yuwei Zhang, Short Film
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Props Artisan – Utah Shakespeare Festival (Summer 2021)
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Productions: Pericles, The Comedy of Errors, Greenshow, Richard III, The Pirates of Penzance, Ragtime, Intimate Apparel
Scenic Painter Props Artisan, Scenic Carpenter, Sound Engineer – Northwestern State University (2017-2021)
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Scenic Charge: NSU’s Annual Gala, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead; A Streetcar Named Desire
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Scenic Painter: Doubt: A Parable; Songs for a New World; 1940s Radio Hour; Spring Awakening, Into the Woods
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Master Carpenter: Songs for a New World
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Props Artisan: Our Country’s Good; Cat in the Hat: A Ballet
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Sound Engineer: Creature: A Musical Prometheus*, Our Country’s Good, Cat in the Hat, Armed Robbery for Dummies
Scenic Artist and Props Artisan – Jefferson Performing Arts Society (Summer 2018)
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Scenic Painter: Annie Jr.; Wizard of Oz: Young Performer’s Edition; Mary Poppins Jr.
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Props Artisan: Wizard of Oz: Young Performer’s Edition
General Technician – Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre (Summer 2019)
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General Tech | Scenic Painter, Carpenter, Props Artisan, & Run Crew: Ragtime; Young Frankenstein, The Sound of Music
SKILLS & INTERESTS
⬪ Scale Model Building ⬪ Intermediate Carpentry & Joinery ⬪ Foam & Clay Sculpting
⬪ Computer and Hand Drafting ⬪ Scenic Painting ⬪ Machine & Hand Sewing
⬪ Digital and Hand Scene Rendering ⬪ Basic Furniture Construction ⬪ Puppet Making
⬪ LA Driver's License ⬪ Basic Rigging & Hanging ⬪ Devising
Software: Vectorworks, AutoCAD, Sketchup, Maya, Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects), QLab,
Audacity, Google Drive Products
Musical Instruments: Guitar, Ukulele, Basic Music Theory
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Judith and Milton R. Stark Scholarship | UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (2021)
Michael Minor and Robert Green Scholarship | UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (2021)
Meritorious Set Design Award | Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead | KCACTF (2018)
EDUCATION
M.F.A. in Scenic and Production Design | UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television 2024
B.S. in Theatre, Technical Concentration | Scenic Emphasis | Northwestern State University, LA 2021
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(upcoming) 2023
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(upcoming) 2023
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