Brett Banakis

BRETT J. BANAKIS is a set, lighting, projection and film designer based in Brooklyn, NY. Recent design credits include BIG LOVE, directed by Tina Landau (Signature Theatre, Lortel Nomination, Henry Hewes Nomination); WHORL INSIDE A LOOP (Second Stage, co-design with Christine Jones); WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT? (NYTW, Menier Chocolate Factory, West End, co-design with Christine Jones); CORIOLANUS (Red Bull Theater, Set/Lighting); TITUS ANDRONICUS (Public Theater); The Winter's Tale (Pearl Theatre); TAMAR AND THE RIVER (Prospect Theater); D DEB DEBBIE DEBORAH (Clubbed Thumb, Henry Hewes Nomination); ARCADIA, and APPROPRIATE, Directed by Lila Neugebauer (Juilliard); SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOVERS, CHILDREN, and THREE MEN ON A HORSE (TACT). Regional: O.P.C. by Eve Ensler (American Repertory Theater); AS YOU LIKE IT (Two River), OKLAHOMA!, THE LION IN WINTER, EDITH, and A CLASS ACT (Berkshire Theatre Festival); BASHIR LAZHAR (Barrington Stage). In October 2011, Brett was featured as a “Young Designer to Watch” in LIVEDESIGN Magazine. Along with director Rafael Gallegos and costume designer Sydney Maresca, Brett is a winner of the Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Showcase of OPERA America for their production concept of Philip Glass’s HYDROGEN JUKEBOX. Brett has collaborated with fashion designer Rachel Antonoff as production designer for her collection showcases for Spring/Summer 2016 at the Plaza Hotel, and for Fall/Winter 2016 at the Grace Building at Bryant Park.   As an associate designer, Brett has worked internationally and in the U.S. in opera, on Broadway, Off-Broadway and regionally, developing long-term relationships with designers Christine Jones, Derek McLane, Mark Wendland, David Zinn, Paul Steinberg, Andrew Lieberman, Neil Jampolis, John Iacovelli and many others. Notable credits include: HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD (West End), RIGOLETTO (Met Opera); THE LAST SHIP, IF/THEN, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, HANDS ON A HARD BODY, BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO (Broadway), THE AMBASSADOR (BAM Next Wave), LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (St. Ann's). Additional Assistant Design credits: HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, AMERICAN IDIOT, RAGTIME, and ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER (Broadway).

Education

B.A. Theater Arts, University of California, Los Angeles 
M.F.A. Design for Stage and Film, New York University