About

Donald Robert Fox is a theatre consultant and award-recognized scenic and lighting designer who works with organizations to plan, develop, and operate performance venues and production environments. With more than two decades of experience across higher education, professional theatre, touring productions, opera, dance, symphonic performance, and film and video production, he brings a practical understanding of how creative vision, technical infrastructure, and operational realities intersect.

Donald advises institutions and organizations on performance venue planning, renovation readiness, and technical needs assessments. His consulting work includes evaluating and recommending lighting, sound, rigging, and seating systems; supporting architectural and stakeholder review processes; reviewing vendor proposals; and helping clients make informed decisions about equipment, infrastructure, and workflow. He also assists organizations in aligning facilities, production schedules, and budgets while addressing safety, compliance, and long-term operational sustainability.

A key area of Donald’s work is health and safety in the entertainment industry. He provides guidance on shop and venue safety practices, risk assessment, and operational procedures that support safe production environments. His experience includes evaluating scenic and technical shops, recommending equipment and workflow improvements, assessing air quality and dust mitigation practices, and helping organizations develop policies that support both regulatory compliance and practical day-to-day operations.

In addition to facility and systems planning, Donald provides guidance on production operations, including policy and procedure development, production calendar management, and coordination between artistic, technical, and administrative teams.

Alongside his consulting work, Donald maintains an active design practice and has worked with a wide range of performance organizations and venues, including Carnegie Hall with the Toledo Symphony, the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, Fisher Theatre, and San Pedro Playhouse. His projects span drama, musical theatre, opera, dance, and devised performance, as well as work involving projection and media integration. He has also completed professional training in film and video production, including camera, lighting, and visual storytelling for screen-based media.

Donald has served in faculty and production leadership roles at institutions including Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Hillsdale College, the University of Toledo, Michigan State University, the University of the Incarnate Word, Baylor University, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Pittsburgh. Through this work he has helped guide both academic and professional production programs while mentoring emerging designers and technicians.

He holds an MFA in Theatrical Design from Wayne State University and a BFA in Directing and Design from Baylor University. Donald is a member of United Scenic Artists Local USA 829, the labor union representing professional scenic, lighting, and projection designers, and he is also a member of Actors’ Equity Association, where he has worked as a stage manager. He is a long-time member of USITT and has presented nationally on topics including shop workflow tools, outdoor scenery construction, and design practices.

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Special Projects

• Lighting & projection design for the New York Premier of Tom Stoppard's and Andre Previn's Every Good Boy Deserves Favor at Carnegie Hall with the Toledo Symphony. 2011

• Conceptualized the Henry Heymann Theatre in Pittsburgh, PA for the University of Pittsburgh which saw completion in 2001.

• "Instrumental in new inventory selection and in-house consultant for architectural firm for the Eisenberg Theatre at Detroit Country Day School." 2015

Awards

• Best of Scenic Design by the San Antonio Express-News for Journey's End, 2008.

• Alamo Theatre Arts Council Globe Award for Excellence in Scenic Design for Brigadoon, 2007

• Alamo Theatre Arts Council Globe Award for Excellence in Lighting Design for As You Like It, 2005

• Alamo Theatre Arts Council Globe Award for Excellence in Scenic Design for Far Away, 2005

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Best of Theatre for Lighting Design of Our Town & The Hudsucker Proxy, 1999

• Detroit Free Press Theatre Excellence Awards for Best Production for East Texas Hot Links for Lighting Design, 1997

• Detroit Free Press Theatre Excellence Awards for Best Production for The Thebans for Sound Design, 1997

Nominations​

• Pulse Award in East Laning, Michigan, for Lighting Design The Blue Door. 2011

• Wilde Award, in Detroit, Michigan, for Lighting Design The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Marigolds, 2009

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