BRIAN SIDNEY BEMBRIDGE

Bembridge, Brian Sidney

Artistic Associate

Since 2001

Brian Sidney Bembridge (he/him) is considered one of North America’s most prolific scenic and lighting designers. Based in Chicago, Brian designs sets, lighting and costumes for theaters internationally, in addition to playing an integral role in Chicago’s distinguished theater community. Brian is a native of Londonderry, New Hampshire and received his Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ School of Design and Production. Shortly after college, Brian assisted Alessandra Branca, when he got his big break in the business designing sets for Sony/Henson’s Muppets From Space. He has since collaborated with Directors, Choreographers, Musicians, and Visual Artists such as Gary Griffin, Christoph Esenbach, Nate Berkus, David Cromer, Brian Henson, Nilo Cruz, Gale Edwards, The Q Brothers, and Eduardo Vilaro.

Brian has been profiled in Live DesignLighting & Sound AmericaEntertainment Design MagazineLighting DimensionsPLSNStage DirectionsAmerican Theater MagazineChicago SocialChicago TribuneChicago Sun-Times and numerous other publications. He has been named one of the “Most Prolific Theater Artists of the Decade” by Time Out Chicago and one of the “Top 50 Players in Chicago” Theatre by NewcityChicago Sun-Times declared him one of “the finest theatrical architects in Chicago.”

Brian has been honored with six Jeff Awards, five After Dark Awards (including Outstanding Season), two Gregory Awards, three LA Drama Critics Circle Awards, three Garland Awards, an Ovation Award, and a LA Weekly Award.

Bio as of 2017

Artist Media

Credits And Awards

Theatre Credits – Scenic Design

Off-Broadway

  • The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Second Stage Theatre)

Chicago

  • Our Lady of the Underpass (16th Street Theatre)
  • Execution of Justice (About Face Theatre)
  • Looking Over the President’s Shoulder (American Blues Theatre)
  • Fulfillment, They Royale, The Big Meal, Living Out, Tin Types (American Theater Company)
  • The Unexpected Man, The Birthday Party (Apple Tree Theater)
  • Marlowe, Inventing Van Gogh, Gypsy (Bailiwick Repertory Theatre)
  • Mamma Said There’ll Be Days Like ThisThe Other Cinderella (Black Ensemble Theater)
  • 10 VirginsFeastGrande Histerie (Chicago Dramatist)
  • Romeo and JulietAladdinFunk It Up About Nothin’Romeo & JulietSunday in the Park with George (Chicago Shakespeare Theater)
  • Tables and Beds (Chicago Theater Sweatshop)
  • Alice in Wonderland (City Lit)
  • SanctifiedThe St. James InfirmaryBlack NativityThe Talented Tenth (Congo Square Theatre)
  • James Joyce’s The Dead (Court Theatre)
  • SugarCabaretMameBuddy: The Buddy Holly StoryThe Goodbye GirlSweet CharityMeet Me in St. LouisTen Little IndiansForever in PlaidBarefoot in the ParkSchool House Rock LiveThe Full Monty (Drury Lane Theater)
  • The Good Thief (The Gift Theatre Company)
  • El NogalarMassacreWriting Our Word (Goodman Theatre)
  • 25th Anniversary at the Chicago Theatre (Improv Olympic)
  • The Idiot Box (Naked Eye Theatre Company)
  • A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Ruthless, Accomplice, The Mikado version 2.005, Roasting Chestnuts, Underneath the Lintel (Noble Fool Theatricals)
  • Stella and Lou, Outgoing Tide, Poor Boy Tango, Inherit the Wind (Northlight Theatre)
  • No WakeThe DownpourCicado (ROUTE 66 Theatre)
  • Immaculate DeceptionSecond City ReloadedRed Scare (The Second City)
  • Tamer of HorsesOur Lady of the UnderpassBlind Mouth SingingLiving OutBreakfastThe Sins of Sor Juana (Teatro Vista)
  • Paradise BlueThe PriceSorryThat Hopey Changey ThingMy Name is Asher LevThe Normal HeartA Raisin in the SunConcerning Strange Devices of the Distant West33 VariationsMy Kind of TownA Walk in the WoodsThe History BoysNot Enough AirDolly West’s KitchenWidower’s Houses, The Children’s HourGeneral from AmericaGuantanamoMartin Furey’s ShotA Man For All SeasonsCopenhagenPravdaIt’s All TrueParagon SpringsHannah and Martin (Timeline Theatre Company)
  • Smart Phones (Trapdoor Theatre)
  • Signs of Life, We are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of NamibiaFormerly Known as South West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915The Elaborate Entrance of Chad DeityHortensia and the Museum of DreamsWheatley (Victory Gardens Theater)
  • Orange Lemon Egg Canary, Faith HealerThe Violet HourRecent Tragic EventsEnter AliceThe Pool of Bethesda (Uma Productions)
  • The SceneMarjorie PrimeTravels With My AuntA Minister’s WifeThe MaidsAnother Part of the ForestArms and the ManBenefactorsSEAGULLRough CrossingOur TownA Christmas Carol (Writers Theatre)
  • A Catered Affair (Porchlight Music Theatre)
  • Buicks (Precious Mettle)
  • Cirque Shanghai Gold (Skyline Stage Navy Pier)
  • This is Modern ArtAnimal FarmLeveling UpLove SongWinesburgOhioJesus Hopped the A TrainWendall Greene (Steppenwolf Theatre Company)
  • Three Sisters (Strawdog Theatre Company)
  • Your Problem With MenLiving Large in a Mini Kind of Way (Teatro Luna)
  • End Days, (Windy City Playhouse)

International

  • Funk It Up About Nothin’ (Theatre Royal Stratford East)

Regional

  • Mary’s Wedding, Dangerous Liaisons, Assassins (ACT Theatre)
  • Maple and VineDevil at NoonEdith Can Shoot and Hit ThemA Midsummer Night’s Dream (Actors Theatre of Louisville)
  • What I learned in Paris, Sammy and Me, Tennis in Nablus (Alliance Theatre)
  • CorlianusAn Iliad (American Players Theatre)
  • Stinky Cheeseman, Funny Man, Metamorphoses, Macbeth, Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat, Romeo and Juliet, GO DOG GO (Arden Theatre Company)
  • Fanny Brice, Yentl (Asolo Repertory Theatre)
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream (California Shakespeare Theatre)
  • Agatha Christie’s The BBC Murders (Capital Theatre)
  • Five Finger of Funk (Children’s Theatre Company)
  • Disgraced (Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park)
  • Naked Before GodThe Good Book of Pedantry and WonderBattle HymnEurydiceThe Brothers Karamazov (Circle X Theatre Company)
  • The Absolute Brightness of Leonard PelkeyThe Royale (City Theatre Company)
  • Nik Wallenda After the Falls (Darien Lake Amusement Park)
  • Around the World in 80 Days (Deleware Theatre Company)
  • Tree (Ensemble Studio Theatre)
  • Sweeny Todd, RED (Ensemble Theatre Company)
  • Cider House Rules Parts I & II (Famous Door Theater Company)
  • Fulfillment (The Flea Theater)
  • Nik Wallenda’s Zircus (Fox Woods Resort And Casino)
  • Stella and LouOutgoing Tide (Galway Arts Festival)
  • The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Geffen Theatre)
  • DesireAn Evening with Tennessee, A Walk Through New Orleans (Golden Means Productions)
  • After A Hundred Years (Guthrie Theater)
  • WorkingSchoolhouse Rock Live, Hot Mikado, Man of La ManchaThe Tempest (Hope Summer Repertory Theatre)
  • Candida (Jean Cocteau Repertory)
  • An Octopus Love Story (Kids With Guns Theatre Company)
  • Camp Nimrod for Girls (Live Bait Theater)
  • Death of a Salesman (Madison Repertory Theatre)
  • Fanny Brice (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
  • Yankee TavernI am My Own Wife (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre)
  • Twelfth Night (Neurotic Young Urbanites)
  • Mary’s Wedding (New Century Theatre Company)
  • The Tragedy of Carmen (Opera Omaha)
  • Ameriville (Paramount Mainstage)
  • As You Like ItThe Three Musketeers (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival)
  • Hand to God (Philadelphia Theatre Company)
  • Heisenbergh (Pittsburgh Public Theater)
  • THE SHAGGS: Philosophy Of The World (Power House Theater)
  • Ameriville (The Public Theatre)
  • Saint JoanFaustus (Quintessence Theatre Group)
  • I am My Own Wife (Rep Theatre, University of Delaware)
  • The RoyaleNext Fall (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis)
  • Death By DarknessColumbo Takes the Rap (River Park Center)
  • Ameriville (Round House Theatre)
  • Ameriville (Southern Repertory Theatre)
  • Lieutenant of Inishmore (Theatre Exile)
  • The Warrior (Theatre at St. Clement’s)
  • Nik Wallenda’s ZircusNik Wallenda and the Wallenda Family Experience (Tropicana)
  • Nik Wallenda’s Zircus (Trump Taj Mahal)
  • A Midsummer Night’s DreamMelissa Arctic (Two River Theater)
  • Sleeping Beauty (Virginia Opera)
  • Guachi GuaroBreath in MemoryLa LloronaOgnatAmor y DolorCarmenTAG..after Siesta (Luna Negra Dance Theatre)
  • LandingsChasmsSenza di TeImpeterechangesglint (Visceral Dance Company)

Theatre Credits – Lighting Design

Chicago

  • Execution of Justice, (About Face Theatre Company)
  • Gulliver’s Travels (The Actors Gymnasium)
  • Looking Over the President’s Shoulder (American Blues Theatre)
  • 25th Anniversary of Improv OlympicBobby McFerrin and Chicago Children’s Choir (The Chicago Theater)
  • Tables and Beds (Chicago Theatre Sweatshop)
  • Forever PlaidGrand HotelSchool House Rock Live (Drury Lane Theatre)
  • Buicks (Precious Mettle)
  • Paradise BlueChimericaThe PriceSorryThat Hopey Changey ThingMy Name is Asher LevThe Normal HeartA Raisin in the SunConcerning Strange Devices of the Distant WestA Walk in the WoodsTRUMBO: Red White and Black ListedHannah and MartinA Cry of Players (TimeLine Theatre)
  • Le Freyschutz (Ravinia Music Festival)
  • Interference (Dog, A Theater Company)
  • The Pool Of Bethesda (Uma Productions)
  • Marjorie Prime, Othello, Duchess of Malfi, A Christmas Carol (Writers Theatre)
  • FulfillmentThe RoyaleThe Big MealLiving OutTin Types (American Theatre Company)
  • WOW (Goodman Theatre)
  • Camp Nimrod for Girls (Live Bait Theater)
  • Measure for Measure (Next Theatre Company)
  • The Accomplice, The Mikado Version 2.005 (Noble Fool Theatricals)
  • No WakeThe DownpourCicada (ROUTE 66 Theatre)
  • Cirque Shanghai Gold (Skyline Stage Navy Pier)
  • Snow Palace (Summer Night Theater Ensemble)
  • Your Problem with Men, Living Large in a Mini Kind of Way (Teatro Luna)
  • Tamer of Horses, The Sins of Sor Juana (Teatro Vista)
  • Final Angel (The Theatre Building)

Regional

  • Dangerous LiaisonsAssassins (ACT Theatre)
  • Beauty and the BeastSeuss’s Cat in the Hat (Arden Theatre Company)
  • Agatha Christie’s THE BBC MURDERS (Capital Theatre)
  • To Kill a Mockingbird (Casa Manana)
  • Naked Before GodThe Good Book of Pedantry and WonderBattle HymnEurydiceThe Brothers Karamazov (Circle X Theatre Company)
  • The Absolute Brightness of Leonard PelkeyThe Royale (City Theatre Company)
  • How We Got On (Cleveland Playhouse)
  • To Kill a Mockingbird (Dallas Theatre Center)
  • Nik Wallenda After the Falls (Darien Lake Amusement Park)
  • Tree (Ensemble Studio Theatre)
  • Sweeney Todd, RED (Ensemble Theatre Company)
  • Fulfillment (The Flea Theater)
  • Nik Wallenda’s Zircus (Fox Woods Resort And Casino)
  • Top Dog Under Dog (Madison Repertory Theatre)
  • Inventing van Gogh (Milwaukee Repertory Theater)
  • Mary’s Wedding (New Century Theatre Company)
  • Agatha Christie’s THE BBC MURDERS (Parker Playhouse)
  • HeisenberghRadio Golf (Pittsburgh Public Theater)
  • Saint JoanFaustus (Quintessence Theatre Group)
  • The RoyaleRaceCrime and Punishment (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis)
  • Death By DarknessColumbo Takes the Rap (River Park Center)
  • Melissa Arctic (Two River Theater)
  • Nik Wallenda and the Wallenda Family ExperienceNik Wallenda’s Zircus (Tropicana Showroom)
  • Nik Wallenda’s Zircus (Trump Taj Mahal)

Awards

  • Jeff Award for Scenic Design for Three Sisters (Strawdog Theatre Company)
  • Jeff Award for Scenic Design for Inventing Van Gogh (Bailiwick Repertory)
  • Jeff Award for Scenic Design for The History Boys (TimeLine Theatre Company)
  • Jeff Award for Lighting Design for Hannah and Martin (TimeLine Theatre Company)
  • Jeff Award for Lighting Design for Hard Times (Lookingglass Theatre Company)
  • Jeff Award for Lighting Design for They Royale (American Theatre Company)
  • Jeff Award for Lighting Design for Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West (TimeLine Theatre Company)