RichardOlmsted Faculty Profile

Photo of Richard Olmsted

Richard  Olmsted

Assistant Professor, Stage Design & Technology

What makes me unique

Richard Olmsted has designed scenery and/or lighting for over 150 theatre and dance, for California Shakespeare Theatre, Marin Theatre Co, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, San Jose Rep, ODC/SF, Joe Goode Performance Group, and Magic Theatre. He has collaborated with many well known directors, writers and choreographers including Barbara Oliver, Joy Carlin, Tom Ross, Octavio Solis, Michael Butler, Albert Takazaukas, Danny Scheie, Lee Sankowich, and Tazewell Thompson.

Olmsted has designed 30 productions for Berkeley’s Aurora Theatre Company, and is a proud member of United Scenic Artists, local 829. Prior to coming to ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, he taught scenic design at the University of California, Berkeley, at Mills College, and technical theatre production at Las Positas College and Holy Names University.

  • Scenic and Lighting Design for live performance.

  • M.F.A. Carnegie Mellon UniversityB.A. Reed College
  • Fall Semester 2025

    Course #SecCourse TitleDaysFromToLocationCampus
    THEA 4612AScenery, Light & Sound DesignMWF12:20PM1:40PMTH-0288Hayward Campus
    THEA 46102Scenery, Light & Sound DesignMWF12:00PM12:01PMTH-0288Hayward Campus
    THEA 36001Tech & Design StudioARRWEB-ASYNCHOnline Campus
    THEA 11301Stage Lighting TechniquesW10:00AM11:50AMTH-0288Hayward Campus