Ming Cho Lee Headshot

Ming Cho Lee

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Ming Cho Lee BIO

He first worked on Broadway as a second assistant set designer to Jo Mielziner on The Most Happy Fella in 1956. Lee's first Broadway play as Scenic Designer was The Moon Besieged in 1962; he went on to design the sets for over 20 Broadway shows, including Mother Courage and Her Children, King Lear, The Glass Menagerie, The Shadow Box, and For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf. He won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design, a Helen Hayes Award, and in 1983 he received a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design for K2. He also designed sets for opera (including eight productions for the Metropolitan Opera and thirteen for the New York City Opera, ballet, and regional theatres such as Arena Stage, the Mark Taper Forum, and the Guthrie Theater.

He designed over 30 productions for Joseph Papp at The Public Theater, including the original Off-Broadway production of Hair (musical). Since 1969, Lee has taught at the Yale School of Drama, where he was co-chair of the Design Department. In February 2017, he announced that he would be retiring at the end of the fall semester.

Ming Cho Lee Productions

 
[US Tour, 2005]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1983]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1983]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1979]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1978]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1977]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1977]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1977]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1975]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1975]
Scenic Designer
 
[West End, 1973]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1972]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1971]
Scenic Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1971]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1971]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1970]
Scenic Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1970]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1969]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1969]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1968]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1968]
Scenic Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1967]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1967]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1966]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1963]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1962]
Scenic Designer
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1960]
Assistant to Mr. Aronson
 
[Broadway, 1960]
Assistant Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1960]
Assistant Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1959]
Assistant to Boris Aronson
 
[Broadway, 1958]
Assistant Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1958]
Assistant Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1957]
Assistant Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1957]
Assistant Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1956]
2nd Assistant Designer to Mr. Mielziner

Ming Cho Lee Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 2013 - Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

Ming Cho Lee

Helen Hayes Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production

Ming Cho LeeDon Carlos

Helen Hayes Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production

Ming Cho LeeK2

Helen Hayes Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production

Ming Cho LeeThe Merchant of Venice

Helen Hayes Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production

Ming Cho LeeMourning Becomes Electra

Helen Hayes Awards - 1996 - Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production

Ming Cho LeeMacbeth


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Set Design

Ming Cho Lee, K2


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1983 - Best Set and Lighting Design

Ming Cho Lee, K2


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1983 - Scenic Design

Ming Cho Lee, K2


winner
Tony Awards - 1983 - Best Scenic Design

Ming Cho Lee, K2


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1968 - Scenic Design

Ming Cho Lee, Ergo


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1965 - Scenic Design

Ming Cho Lee, Electra

Ming Cho Lee Videos

Ming Cho Lee News


China Arts and Entertainment Group Presents DONGPO: LIFE IN POEMS


Experience the poetic modern dance production, DONGPO: LIFE IN POEMS, at The David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center this weekend.

Aisha Jackson, LaChanze & More to Take Part in 2024 TCG Gala: OUR STORIES


Theatre Communications Group has revealed the performers for the 2024 TCG Gala: Our Stories, which will be held on Monday, March 11, 2024, at The Edison Ballroom. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.

Ann Hould-Ward and Richard Hudson Receive TDF's Irene Sharaff Awards


TDF, the not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, has just announced that celebrated costume designer ANN HOULD-WARD and legendary scenic designer RICHARD HUDSON are among the 2024 TDF/Irene Sharaff Award recipients.

China Arts and Entertainment Group Presents DONGPO: LIFE IN POEMS


'Dongpo: Life In Poems' is a poetic modern dance production presented by CAEG and American Dance Festival. Catch the show in Washington DC from 3/8-3/10 and in NYC from 3/15-3/17.

Limón Dance Company Returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center for One Night Only February 17


Limón Dance Company returns to Newark with NJ premiere and debut 2/17. Don't miss the New Jersey premiere of Bessie Award-Winning Migrant Mother and the debut of Limón's Second Company. Sponsored by M&T Bank.

Director Jon Royal Selected As The SDCF 2023 Lloyd Richards New Futures Resident Artist At St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre


Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) announces that Jon Royal, a director, teaching artist, and facilitator from Nashville, TN, has been selected as the 2023 Lloyd Richards New Futures Resident Artist at St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre, where he will work with Founder and Producing Director Ron Himes.

David Rockwell, Brian Anthony Moreland & More to be Honored at Theatre Communications Group Gala


Theatre Communications Group's 2024 TCG Gala: Our Stories will honor ​architect and designer David Rockwell, Broadway producer Brian Anthony Moreland, director Schele Williams, and The Shubert Foundation.

Abe Jacob To Receive Ming Cho Lee Award at 59th Annual Henry Hewes Design Awards


Celebrate the extraordinary career of sound designer Abe Jacob as he receives the prestigious Ming Cho Lee Award for Lifetime Achievement in Design at the 59th Annual Henry Hewes Design Awards on October 23.

INTO THE WOODS, SWEENEY TODD, and More Nominated For 2023 Hewes Design Awards


The Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee has announced the 2023 Henry Hewes Design Awards Honorees who will be recognized at the 59th annual ceremony on October 23 in New York. Find out who will be honored here!

Interview: David Hunt Stafford on PLAYS IN REP & READING SERIES at Theatre 40


David Hunt Stafford (pictured) is the Artistic Director and Managing Director of Theatre 40, posts he has proudly held since 2000 at the professional theater company located on the campus of Beverly Hills High School. I decided to speak with David about the current plays running in rep during July and August: Doris and Ivy in the Home, in which he appears, and One Moment of Freedom which he produces; and the group’s ongoing Reading Series showcasing new and well-known plays read by company members.

Theatre Communications Group Raises $300,000 at Gala Honoring Samuel L. Jackson & LaTanya Richardson Jackson


At Monday night’s 2023 TCG Gala: Our Stories, Theatre Communications Group raised over $300,000. The Gala honored Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson, with an award presented by Vanessa Williams.

Lillias White, Alex Newell & Sidney DuPont to Perform at 2023 TCG Gala


Lillias White, Alex Newell and Sidney DuPont will perform at 2023 TCG Gala: Our Stories, which will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023, at The Edison Ballroom.

College Of Fellows Welcomes New Members


The College of Fellows of the American Theatre is has announced the investiture of the 2023 class during April at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The College of Fellows originated in 1965 within the American Educational Theatre Association.

Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson to be Honored at Theatre Communications Group 2023 Gala


Theatre Communications Group has announced that the 2023 TCG Gala: Our Stories will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023, at The Edison Ballroom in New York City. The Gala will honor Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson and will include festive performances, inspiring speakers, and a celebratory dinner.

Graham 2 Presents THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT, December 18


The Martha Graham Dance Company's acclaimed second company will perform Martha Graham's rarely seen The Owl and the Pussycat on Sunday, December 18, at 1pm and 5pm.

Jules Fisher and Jennifer Tipton to Receive Ming Cho Lee Award


The Henry Hewes Design Awards committee announced that legendary lighting designers Jules Fisher and Jennifer Tipton will each be honored with the Ming Cho Lee Award for Lifetime Achievement in Design, bestowed by the Henry Hewes Design Awards at the 58th annual event on October 24 in a livestream awards ceremony.

The College of Fellows of the American Theatre Welcomes New Members


The College of Fellows of the American Theatre has announced the investiture of the 2022 class during April at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

2021 Hewes Design Awards Announced


Legendary costume designers Toni-Leslie James and Ann Roth each will be honored with a Ming Cho Lee Award for Lifetime Achievement in Design, bestowed by the Henry Hewes Design Awards at the 57th annual event on November 1 in a livestream awards ceremony.

Yale School of Drama Announces Design Department Reorganization and Leadership Succession


Yale School of Drama will align all 5 Design disciplines– Costume, Lighting, Projection, Set, and Sound– in 1 department instead of 2, to promote the most robust common core offerings for all Design students & to build upon the School of Drama’s historic practice of training designers who are flexible & fluent collaborators with their colleagues.

Wake Up With BWW 10/26: Olivier Award Winners, and More!


Today's top stories: find out who took home 2020 Olivier Awards, watch the full Broadway Sings For Biden concert, and more!

Ming Cho Lee FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Ming Cho Lee been nominated for?

Ming Cho Lee has been nominated for various awards throughout his career, including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre at the Tony Awards. He has also received nominations for Outstanding Set Design in Resident Productions at the Helen Hayes Awards for productions such as "Don Carlos," "K2," "The Merchant of Venice," "Mourning Becomes Electra," and "Macbeth." Additionally, he was nominated for Outstanding Set Design at the Drama Desk Awards for "K2," and for Best Set and Lighting Design at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same production. Lee's work on "K2" also earned him recognition for Scenic Design at The Hewes Awards and a nomination for Best Scenic Design at the Tony Awards. He has received further nominations for Scenic Design at The Hewes Awards for "Ergo" and "Electra."

What awards has Ming Cho Lee won?

Ming Cho Lee has won several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, Outstanding Set Design at the Drama Desk Awards for "K2," Best Set and Lighting Design at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "K2," Scenic Design at The Hewes Awards for "K2," Best Scenic Design at the Tony Awards for "K2," Scenic Design at The Hewes Awards for "Ergo," and Scenic Design at The Hewes Awards for "Electra."

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