From Collaborators
“I really, truly think [Cameron is] an incredible designer and one of the best collaborators I’ve ever worked with; inventive, adaptable, articulate, and dedicated.”
Maryann Morris, Director of Production, Cleveland Play House
“Not only is Cameron Michalak an intuitive and adventurous designer, his dedication to his students is unmatched. He has the soul of a poet, the heart of a lion.”
Casey Seymour Kim, Providence, RI
From the Press
“Cameron Caley Michalak’s living room/patio set was ingenious and beautiful, nicely enhancing the production.”
Roy Berko, on Meteor Shower at Beck Center for the Arts
“As many patrons have come to know, the production values at Near West Theatre are top-notch…The first indication is the dynamic set design by Cameron Caley Michalak. The audience’s first impression is a cool-looking space that features an intricate turntable and suspended platform that is visually stunning.”
Kevin Kelly, on Urinetown at Near West Theatre
“Scenic designer Cameron Caley Michalak created a play with numerous settings in basically a one-set space. He creates different places through the use of well painted, framed illustrations of the specific places in which the scenes take place. Thus we are transported from New York to Philadelphia to Richmond to a coffee shop by having a spotlight shine on the painting which illustrates where we are. Clever!”
Roy Berko, on Becky Shaw at Dobama Theatre
“As has become a welcome custom at the Play House, the scenic design is a standout. The ratty studio space of a set by Cameron Caley Michalak is exactly what you’d expect a prickly playwright with a penchant for translating leaden, 19th-century German texts to be able to afford. The addition of a hole in the ceiling, dripping water into a bucket positioned on the warped floor, is a genius little detail.”
Andrea Simakis, on Venus in Fur at Cleveland Play House
From Students
“I loved the course! I found it engaging and covered the material really well considering the circumstances (class pivoted online due to pandemic). I loved how you went the extra mile to get to know me personally which makes me enjoy learning from you so much more. This class felt like a safe place for me and my other classmates which made it easier to have discussions and banter. Great class!”
Student, THE 101
“This class was probably my favorite throughout the semester because I found I really enjoy using Vectorworks. I thought that projects made sense in a logical order and the end project of each project achieved a specific goal. I liked the setup of the course because I learn best to see first and then do… having access to the recordings was useful when I forgot how to setup the stuff for the lighting project. I’m going to miss learning about the cool features of Vectorworks in class and having to instead search for dudes on YouTube explaining stuff. Thanks for always being a ray of sunshine and positivity and encouraging us to pursue stuff while still steering the bus and helping to set realistic goals.”
Student, THE 303
“I loved this course. It was very challenging at times, but seeing the work in the end made it all worth it. Each of the projects were fun to work on and helped me understand the capabilities of this software… Your teaching style played a major role in understanding this sometimes confusing program. The course was planned well to allow enough time to work on each project without the feeling of being rushed. Also, when questions about the program and how to use it came up, the solutions given were explained well.”
Student, THE 303
Awards
Cleveland State University CLASS Engaged Service Award 2019-2020
Cleveland Critic’s Circle Award AND Scene Magazine Best Scenic Designer of the Year, 2018 - John
BroadwayWorld Cleveland Award Winner – Becky Shaw “Best Scenic Design of a Drama or Comedy - Theatres with Equity Contracts”
CBS SUNDAY MORNING – featured with Cleveland Play House on Episode #38.43 airing on July 17th, 2016
Tony Award – 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award Technical Director at the time
Employee of the Month – Cleveland Play House October, 2008 “…in tribute to his extraordinary efforts in the set construction for our Case Western Reserve University / Cleveland Play House Graduate Ensemble production of ANGELS IN AMERICA. The set was large, and the resources scarce, yet Cameron’s work was exemplary and the results superb. For him, these kinds of efforts and results are typical. What’s more, he can always be counted on to maintain a good-natured attitude despite any adverse circumstances…” – Kevin Moore, Managing Director