Rye Mandel

(They/Them and He/Him)

is an adopted queer, Chinese-American Scenic and Media Designer for theatre and Art Director for film. Raised in New Orleans and being from mixed cultures, Rye’s is inspired by the histories, heritage, and identities of people. They approach design by looking into the intrinsic humanity of each piece and exploring our identities in the space that we create together. Rye has a passion for exploring new work and discovering fresh perspectives on the classics, while also rooting themselves in research. In Art Directing, they love a good spreadsheet and drafting. Rye graduated with a Theatre degree from Northwestern State University, LA (2021), and they are currently pursuing an MFA in Scenic and Production Design at UCLA (upcoming 2025).