Emmy-winning Set Designer Discusses Art, Business Aspects of Theatre Design in Lawrence University Address

APPLETON, WIS. -- Appleton native and Emmy-winning set designer Michael Kelley discusses the differences between regional American theatre and theme entertainment as marketed by Disney in a Lawrence University Fine Arts Colloquium.

Kelley presents "The Art and Business of Design in Theatre," Tuesday, May 14 at 4:10 p.m. in Cloak Theatre of the Music-Drama Center. The event is free and open to the public.

A 1982 graduate of Appleton West High School and a former intern with Attic Theatre, Kelley earned a day-time Emmy in 1994 for set decoration/art direction for "Sesame Street." He recently completed a six-year assignment as the senior decorator for Disney's new theme park in Tokyo, which opened last September, overseeing a $4 million props budget.

During his career, Kelly has served as property master of The Cleveland Playhouse, worked at Radio Center Music Hall and done set decoration for numerous television programs, including Nickelodeon's "Allegra's Windows," and HBO's "Endangered Aninmals."

Kelley returned to Appleton from his current home in Canyon Country, Calif., as guest set designer for Lawrence's Term III theatre production, "The Learned Ladies," which runs May 16-19.