Mike Donato

Mike Donato is graduating from the Design/Technology Program with a concentration in Technical Direction/ Production Management. He has taken a specific interest in commercial scene shop project and production management. Taking internships with industry leaders like PRG Scenic Technologies and Hudson Scenic Studio, Mike has been exposed to the industry’s latest scenic fabrication techniques. As the recipient of the 2019 William Land Mintzer Award, Mike was recognized for his achievements and commitment to the Design/ Technology Program.

Mike is also a proud committee member of the New York State Theater Education Association’s (NYSTEA) Annual Student Conference, serving over 800 high school students from across the state.

For additional information about Mike Donato see his resume linked below.

Professional Training

Purchase Reps 2020- Marisol

By José Rivera

Purchase Reps 2020- Marisol- Technical Director Purchase Reps 2020- Marisol- Technical Director

Scenic Designer: Giana Fanelli

Lighting Designer: Nina Field

Sound Designer: Massimiliano DiMartino

Costume Designer: Christina Prussen

Production Stage Manager: Davin DeCicco

Technical Director: Mike Donato

Production Carpenter: Colin Nickel

Worked with design and production team members to create a unit set which could be used in rep for two separate plays. Supervised production flyman and fly crew in maintenance and operation of performer fly. Oversaw interdepartmental coordination with costume department and stage management regarding performer safety, fly harness integration into costume, and rehearsal with actor.

Challenges Included:

Coordinating the rental and load in of a performer fly rig with Flying by Foy.
Coordinating the storage of production scenery and props during run of A Bright Room Called Day.
Scheduling spotting calls around the use of the theater by stage management and the cast as their rehearsal room prior to start of load in.

Purchase Reps 2020- A Bright Room Called Day

By Tony Kushner

Purchase Reps 2020- A Bright Room Called Day Purchase Reps 2020- A Bright Room Called Day- Technical Director
Credit: Zoë Markwalter

Worked with production and design team to create a unit set which could be used for this play in tandem with Marisol.

Challenges Included:

Preparing and maintaining a stage floor to be safely walked on by actors with bare feet.
Coordinating the storage of production scenery and props during run of Marisol.
Arranging for the use of overhead projectors during performances. This required facilitating collaboration between the scenic and electrics departments to determine the placement and focus of the fixtures.

Bastille Day

By Edwidge Danticat Bastille Day- Technical Director Bastille Day- Technical Director
Credit: Zoe Markwalter

Scenic Designer: Andrew Bellomo & Eryn Williams

Lighting Designer: Steven Zhang

Costume Designer: Jeanna DiPaola

Sound Designer: Otto Martinian & Keaton Comiskey

Production Stage Manager: Abby Filiaggi

Technical Director: Mike Donato

Production Carpenter: Caulin Salvi

Worked with designers to realize a fully staged play with a small budget and minimal resources.

Challenges included:

All of pre-production and design occurred before start of semester, with design and production teams spread out across the country.
Scheduling spotting and load in calls in theater with space coordinator to accommodate lectures and classes utilizing the room.
Providing flexibility in rigging of paintings for scenic designers and director to be able to shift positioning of paintings dead hung from pipe grid during the tech process.

Scenes from Metamorphoses

By Mary Zimmerman

Scenes from Metamorphoses- Lead Technical Designer Scenes from Metamorphoses- Lead Technical Designer
Credit: Danylo Korotin

Worked with technical director and scenic designer to create technical design for a filtered/heated pool on stage. Designs called for a 16’x24’ pool with approx. 10” water to be used as an acting area.

Challenges included:

Surveying theater and determining stage floor load capacity.
Providing a convenient source of water to fill pool.
Providing a means to heat and clean pool water.
Devising a structure which would contain side load of water, as well as provide no room for leaks.
Creating a plan to efficiently load out pool water.