Mike Donohue

Mike Donohue is the current Technical Director at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Prior to that, they worked as the Assistant Technical Director at Washington National Opera at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from August 2013 to August 2014. In their role, they were responsible for maintaining technical management liaison with Production Designers and Artistic Administration, onstage spatial planning, scheduling, and general production requirements for seven productions per year. Mike also assisted in producing master calendars and scheduling contractual labor for the build, installation, and de-installation of simultaneous productions and events.

In addition, Mike coordinated long haul freight trailers and overseas containers for shipping productions and arranged for local transportation of scenery elements. Mike negotiated and established contractual labor, vendor use, and purchasing agreements, and also managed aspects of the $7 million production budget, including rentals, union labor (IATSE), materials, and various vendor services. Mike assisted in the design, planning, and implementation of theatrical construction, rigging, and scenery engineering (including pneumatic, hydraulic, and automated systems). Mike supervised and assisted contractors, union labor, and staff with the load-in, installation, and de-installation of scenic elements while complying with Federal building regulations and OSHA policies and procedures. Finally, they created technical AutoCAD and Vector Works scale drawings for new, co-production, and rented shows.

Mike Donohue has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Production and Design from the University of Central Florida. Mike also has an Associate of Arts in Fine Arts from Seminole State College.

Mike Donohue reports to Audrey Francis, Co-Artistic Director. Mike Donohue works with Danielle Sparklin - Director of Audience Services and Audience Experience, Polly Hubbard - Director of New Play Development, and Megan Shuchman - Director of Education. Kyle Land - Scenic Carpenters, Chad Hain - Associate Technical Director, and Tom Egan - Scene Shop Supervisor report to Mike Donohue.