About

Luke Dufilho is a scenic designer currently pursuing an MFA in Stage Design at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Luke believes that scenery is more than flats and platforms - it is an active participant in the story being told on stage. He strives to create moments of wonder for the audience from the time they enter the theater until the curtain drops. Luke’s work explores how visual environments can both support the narrative and invite audiences deeper into the story being told.

Before beginning graduate school, Luke went to Christopher Newport University study musical theater, but while he was there, he developed a passion for set design. He ended up shifting his focus and earning a BA in Technical Theatre. His experience spans scenic design, scenic art, carpentry, technical direction, prop construction, and acting - giving him a deep appreciation for the collaborative nature of theater. Whether drafting a design, building props in the shop, or painting a stage floor, he enjoys the process of turning ideas into tangible worlds.

At CCM, Luke has continued to expand his artistic and technical skills through scenic design projects, model construction, scenic painting, digital rendering, and production work. He is particularly interested in dramaturgical research, architectural influences on design, and creating spaces that feel both visually compelling and deeply thought through.

Education

University of Cincinnati - College-Conservatory of Music | Cincinnati, OH

Current student - MFA in Stage Design (2028 - anticipated graduation year)

Christopher Newport University | Newport News, VA

2025 - BA in Theater with a concentration Technical Theater

Paint Shop Assistant | College-Conservatory of Music | Cincinnati, OH | 2026-present

Scenic Designer | Stagedoor Manor | Loch Sheldrake, NY | 2026

Props Shop Assistant | College-Conservatory of Music | Cincinnati, OH | 2025-2026

Scenic Designer | James River Shakespeare Company | Newport News, VA | 2025

Carpentry Intern | Tom Carroll Scenery, Inc. | Jersey City, NJ | 2024

Research Apprentice | TheatreCNU | Newport News, VA | 2023-2025

Experience

Workshops & Guest Lectures

Intro to Scenic Design - Workshop

Stagedoor Manor | Loch Sheldrake, NY | 2026

Appreciation of TDP (Technical Design Program) - Guest Lecturer

College-Conservatory of Music | Cincinnati, OH | 2026

Awards

Newcomer Award, 2023

Christopher Newport University | Newport News, VA

“Luke Dufilho is a rare comprehensive theatre artist, accomplished & appreciated in both the rehearsal room & design studio. He is a selfless collaborator who brings his unique blend of witty kindness, humane integrity, ferocious dedication, & solution-based cleverness to every project. Faced with any dramaturgical question, Mr. Dufilho poses initial ideas that are artistically provocative & rigorously informed, then refines them by testing against his seemingly endless supply of equally sound & creatively intriguing possibilities.”
— Grace Godwin, Ph.D.