Mimi Lien
Latest News on Mimi Lien:
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park to Present TRIBE: Marks Of RED Open Rehearsal (Oct 22, 2025)
Nikiya Mathis, MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, & More Earn 2025 Hewes Design Awards (Sep 4, 2025)
Fall Performance Schedule Set for La Mama's 64th Season (Aug 18, 2025)
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park to Present TRIBE: Marks Of RED Open Rehearsal (Oct 22, 2025)
Nikiya Mathis, MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, & More Earn 2025 Hewes Design Awards (Sep 4, 2025)
Fall Performance Schedule Set for La Mama's 64th Season (Aug 18, 2025)
BIO
Mimi Lien is a designer of sets/environments for theater, dance, and opera. Arriving at set design from a background in architecture, her work often focuses on the interaction between audience/environment and object/performer. She is an artistic associate with Pig Iron Theatre Company, and co-founder of JACK, a performance/art space in Brooklyn. Recent work includes Signature Plays, John (Signature Theatre), War, Preludes (LCT3), The Oldest Boy (Lincoln Center), Black Mountain Songs (BAM/Brooklyn Youth Chorus), Appropriate (Mark Taper Forum), and An Octoroon (Soho Rep/TFANA). Mimi's designs for dance have been presented in the Netherlands, Russia, and Taiwan, and her stage designs have been exhibited in the Prague Quadrennial. Lien is a recipient of the Joan and Joseph F. Cullman Award for Extraordinary Creativity at Lincoln Center, Lucille Lortel Award, American Theatre Wing Hewes Design Award, LA Drama Critics Circle Award, Barrymore Award, OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence, and a 2015 MacArthur Fellowship.
Photos
Productions
Awards and Nominations
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Scenic Design (Play or Musical)
Mimi Lien, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Mimi Lien, Sweeney Todd
Drama Desk Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Set Design of a Play
Mimi Lien, Fairview
winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2017 - Best Scenic Design
Mimi Lien, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Set Design for a Musical
Mimi Lien, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812
winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Set Design (Play or Musical)
Mimi Lien, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
The Lortels - 2017 - Outstanding Scenic Design
Mimi Lien, Signature Plays: Edward Albee's The Sandbox, María Irene Fornés' Drowning, and Adrienne Kennedy's Funnyhouse of a Negro
winner
Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Mimi Lien, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Set Design for a Play
Mimi LienJohn
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Scenic Design (Play or Musical)
Mimi Lien, John
The Lortels - 2016 - Outstanding Scenic Design
Mimi Lien, John
Drama Desk Awards - 2015 - Outstanding Set Design
Mimi Lien, An Octoroon
winner
The Lortels - 2014 - Outstanding Scenic Design
Mimi Lien, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812
Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Set Design
Mimi Lien, The Whale
winner
The Hewes Awards - 2013 - Hewes Design Award
Mimi Lien, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812
winner
Obie Awards - 2012 - Sustained Excellence of Set Design
Mimi Lien
winner
Obie Awards - 2012 - Sustained Excellence of Set Design
Mimi Lien
Videos
Video: First Look at Steve Carell, William Jackson Harper & More in UNCLE VANYA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2024-04-23 14:25:40
VIDEO: Dave Malloy Announces NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 Will Make West Coast Premiere With the Shotgun Players
by Stephi Wild - 2020-06-02 06:22:08
VIDEO: Choreographer Chanel DaSilva Discusses the Choreography of MOBY-DICK at A.R.T.
by Stephi Wild - 2019-11-21 09:22:00
VIDEO: Watch Anatole's Entrance at the Opera and 'The Abduction' From THE GREAT COMET in Brazil
by Stephi Wild - 2018-10-02 09:02:09
TV: Hangin' Backstage with the Winners of the 63rd Annual Drama Desk Awards!
by Nicole Rosky - 2018-06-04 12:03:18
VIDEO: All My Revels Here Are Over: GREAT COMET's Lucas Steele Takes One Last Look at the Imperial
by A.A. Cristi - 2017-09-11 21:06:11
VIDEO: 'Keep Supporting New Work' Rachel Chavkin Gives Final GREAT COMET Curtain Call Speech
by Julie Musbach - 2017-09-03 18:56:09
VIDEO: Goodbye My Gypsy Lovers! Kiss GREAT COMET One Last Time in 360
by Julie Musbach - 2017-09-03 11:20:56
VIDEO: Josh Groban & Cast of 'GREAT COMET' Perform on THE TONYS
by Caryn Robbins - 2017-06-11 23:12:24
2017 Theater Fans' Choice Awards Results! DEAR EVAN HANSEN, GREAT COMET, PLAY THAT GOES WRONG & MISS SAIGON Win Big!
by Robert Diamond - 2017-06-07 15:00:01
Raise Your Voice and Cast Your Vote for the Theater Fans' Choice Awards!
by Nicole Rosky - 2017-06-02 12:00:08
What Are You Waiting For? Cast Your Vote for the Theater Fans' Choice Awards!
by Nicole Rosky - 2017-05-30 14:30:09
There's No Day But Today! Cast Your Vote for the Theater Fans' Choice Awards!
by Nicole Rosky - 2017-05-25 11:01:05
Make Them Hear You! Vote Today for the Theater Fans' Choice Awards!
by Nicole Rosky - 2017-05-22 16:00:01
18 Days to Go! Make Your Voice Heard and Vote for the Theater Fans' Choice Awards!
by Nicole Rosky - 2017-05-18 14:40:35
Tony Awards Close-Up: Mimi Lien Explains the Her Ever-Changing GREAT COMET Designs!
by Nicole Rosky - 2017-05-26 12:00:01
News
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park to Present TRIBE: Marks Of RED Open Rehearsal
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 22, 2025
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park will present an open rehearsal of TRIBE's work-in-progress Marks of RED on Thursday, October 30 at 6:00 PM. Learn more and see how to join!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 22, 2025
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park will present an open rehearsal of TRIBE's work-in-progress Marks of RED on Thursday, October 30 at 6:00 PM. Learn more and see how to join!
Nikiya Mathis, MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, & More Earn 2025 Hewes Design Awards
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 4, 2025
The Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee has revealed the 2025 Henry Hewes Design Awards Honorees who will be recognized at the 61st annual ceremony on October 20 in New York.
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 4, 2025
The Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee has revealed the 2025 Henry Hewes Design Awards Honorees who will be recognized at the 61st annual ceremony on October 20 in New York.
Fall Performance Schedule Set for La Mama's 64th Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 18, 2025
La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club has revealed the Fall performances of its 64th season–featuring dozens of new works from around the world. See the full lineup here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 18, 2025
La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club has revealed the Fall performances of its 64th season–featuring dozens of new works from around the world. See the full lineup here!
Mary Testa and More Complete the Cast for GALAS at Little Island
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 15, 2025
Little Island has revealed the complete cast and creative team for Galas, the final production in their 2025 summer season starring countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo as 'Maria Magdalena Galas.' Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 15, 2025
Little Island has revealed the complete cast and creative team for Galas, the final production in their 2025 summer season starring countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo as 'Maria Magdalena Galas.' Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
Lincoln Center Reveals 25/26 Season Featuring Jeanine Tesori as Visionary Artist
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 12, 2025
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has revealed its 25/26 season of programming, running September 2025 through May 2026. See full programming here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 12, 2025
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has revealed its 25/26 season of programming, running September 2025 through May 2026. See full programming here!
Photos: The Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab to Present SPRINGBOARD TO DESIGN Theatrical Mentorship
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 2, 2025
Springboard to Design, a groundbreaking tuition-free theatrical design mentorship and education program for students from underrepresented communities, will be hosted at The Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab. Learn more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 2, 2025
Springboard to Design, a groundbreaking tuition-free theatrical design mentorship and education program for students from underrepresented communities, will be hosted at The Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab. Learn more!
Review: Old Meets New at Lincoln Center, Mixing George Lewis and Monteverdi in THE COMET/POPPEA
by Richard Sasanow - Jun 20, 2025
The recent New York premiere of Yuval Sharon’s production of THE COMET/POPPEA at Lincoln Center kicked off the summer’s 5-week residency of the American Modern Opera Company (cheekily known as AMOC, after its penchant for taking a somewhat wild and crazy approach to the art form).
by Richard Sasanow - Jun 20, 2025
The recent New York premiere of Yuval Sharon’s production of THE COMET/POPPEA at Lincoln Center kicked off the summer’s 5-week residency of the American Modern Opera Company (cheekily known as AMOC, after its penchant for taking a somewhat wild and crazy approach to the art form).
The 42nd Annual Elliot Norton Awards Winner Revealed
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 3, 2025
The 42nd Annual Elliot Norton Awards ceremony was held at The Huntington Theatre in Boston. See the full list of winners here and learn more about the Awards!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 3, 2025
The 42nd Annual Elliot Norton Awards ceremony was held at The Huntington Theatre in Boston. See the full list of winners here and learn more about the Awards!
Review: Exciting Bullock and Finley Take on Met Debut of Adams’s ANTONY & CLEOPATRA
by Richard Sasanow - May 13, 2025
There’s an old expression, “A lawyer who defends himself has a fool for a client.” While John Adams didn’t decide to take on the libretto for his latest opera, Monday night’s Met premiere, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, all on his own, I wonder whether he might have bypassed the one resource that might have been most useful: Arrigo Boito.
by Richard Sasanow - May 13, 2025
There’s an old expression, “A lawyer who defends himself has a fool for a client.” While John Adams didn’t decide to take on the libretto for his latest opera, Monday night’s Met premiere, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, all on his own, I wonder whether he might have bypassed the one resource that might have been most useful: Arrigo Boito.
Everything to Know About Lincoln Center
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 26, 2025
Broadway may be confined to New York City's theatre district, but there's even more going on uptown. One of the word's premiere arts centers, Lincoln Center, is located just a few blocks north, and we're unpacking all that it has to offer...
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 26, 2025
Broadway may be confined to New York City's theatre district, but there's even more going on uptown. One of the word's premiere arts centers, Lincoln Center, is located just a few blocks north, and we're unpacking all that it has to offer...
Deaf Broadway's WAITRESS in ASL and More Set for Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2025
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts will present the fourth annual Summer for the City. The 2025 festival will include world and New York premieres, participatory events, and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2025
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts will present the fourth annual Summer for the City. The 2025 festival will include world and New York premieres, participatory events, and more.
Kristin Chenoweth & More Get 2025 Boston Theater Critics Association Awards Nominations
by Joshua Wright - Apr 9, 2025
The Boston Theater Critics Association announced nominations for the 42nd Annual Elliot Norton Awards, honoring outstanding theater in Greater Boston. Kathy St. George will receive the Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence.
by Joshua Wright - Apr 9, 2025
The Boston Theater Critics Association announced nominations for the 42nd Annual Elliot Norton Awards, honoring outstanding theater in Greater Boston. Kathy St. George will receive the Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence.
NYU Tisch School of the Arts 2025 Gala Honors Winnie Holzman and Daniel Dae Kim
by Stephi Wild - Apr 9, 2025
Over 500 alumni, donors and supporters gathered at Cipriani South Street on Monday night for the NYU Tisch School of the Arts 2025 Gala, raising over $1.7 million to support the critical needs of talented Tisch students.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 9, 2025
Over 500 alumni, donors and supporters gathered at Cipriani South Street on Monday night for the NYU Tisch School of the Arts 2025 Gala, raising over $1.7 million to support the critical needs of talented Tisch students.
Michael R. Jackson's COMPLICATIONS IN SUE Opera and More Set for Philadelphia Opera 2025/26 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 3, 2025
Opera Philadelphia has revealed the lineup for its upcoming 2025-2026 Season. February brings the World Premiere of Complications in Sue to the Academy of Music for four performances.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 3, 2025
Opera Philadelphia has revealed the lineup for its upcoming 2025-2026 Season. February brings the World Premiere of Complications in Sue to the Academy of Music for four performances.
Works & Process Will Host The Metropolitan Opera: John Adams' ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
by Stephi Wild - Mar 25, 2025
Works & Process will present The Metropolitan Opera: John Adams's Antony and Cleopatra at Guggenheim New York in the Peter B. Lewis Theater. Learn more about the event here!
by Stephi Wild - Mar 25, 2025
Works & Process will present The Metropolitan Opera: John Adams's Antony and Cleopatra at Guggenheim New York in the Peter B. Lewis Theater. Learn more about the event here!
Interview: Playwright Sarah Ruhl Talks Bringing Vivaldi & Ruhl's THE SEASONS to Boston Lyric Opera
by R. Scott Reedy - Mar 7, 2025
Growing up outside Chicago, Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Sarah Ruhl (“The Clean House,” “In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)”) would listen to a cassette of Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” on holiday drives with her family to her father’s home state of Iowa.
by R. Scott Reedy - Mar 7, 2025
Growing up outside Chicago, Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Sarah Ruhl (“The Clean House,” “In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)”) would listen to a cassette of Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” on holiday drives with her family to her father’s home state of Iowa.
Review: Prototype’s Gorgeous IN A GROVE by Cerrone and Fleischmann Arrives in New York
by Richard Sasanow - Jan 21, 2025
The New York premiere of the Christopher Cerrone/Stephanie Fleischmann opera IN A GROVE, in Mary Birnbaum’s simply beautiful—or beautifully simple—production triumphed at La Mama Experimental Theatre Club on Saturday as part of the Prototype Festival. It is inspired by Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s classic story (best known from its film version, “Rashomon”).
by Richard Sasanow - Jan 21, 2025
The New York premiere of the Christopher Cerrone/Stephanie Fleischmann opera IN A GROVE, in Mary Birnbaum’s simply beautiful—or beautifully simple—production triumphed at La Mama Experimental Theatre Club on Saturday as part of the Prototype Festival. It is inspired by Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s classic story (best known from its film version, “Rashomon”).
Soho Rep Will Pay Tribute to Walkerspace With SOHO REP IS NOT A BUILDING. SOHO REP HAD A BUILDING…
by Stephi Wild - Jan 15, 2025
Walkerspace (1991-2024), Soho Rep’s 65-seat venue at 46 Walker Street, will be laid to rest this January 2025. Celebrate the space with an special tribute event this week.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 15, 2025
Walkerspace (1991-2024), Soho Rep’s 65-seat venue at 46 Walker Street, will be laid to rest this January 2025. Celebrate the space with an special tribute event this week.
Last Chance To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards; EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL HD at BCA Plaza Theatre Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 27, 2024
This is the last chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by BWW Awards - Dec 27, 2024
This is the last chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Final Week To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards; BCA Plaza Theatre Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Dec 23, 2024
This is the final week to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by BWW Awards - Dec 23, 2024
This is the final week to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What awards has Mimi Lien been nominated for?
Outstanding Scenic Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Outstanding Set Design of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Fairview, Best Scenic Design (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Outstanding Set Design for a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Outstanding Set Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Outstanding Scenic Design (The Lortels) for Signature Plays: Edward Albee's The Sandbox, María Irene Fornés' Drowning, and Adrienne Kennedy's Funnyhouse of a Negro, Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Outstanding Set Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for John, Outstanding Scenic Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for John, Outstanding Scenic Design (The Lortels) for John, Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for An Octoroon, Outstanding Scenic Design (The Lortels) for Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Whale, Hewes Design Award (The Hewes Awards) for Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Sustained Excellence of Set Design (Obie Awards) and Sustained Excellence of Set Design (Obie Awards).
What awards has Mimi Lien won?
Mimi Lien has won several prestigious awards for her work in scenic design. She received the Best Scenic Design award from BroadwayWorld Awards for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. She also won Outstanding Set Design for a Musical from the Drama Desk Awards for the same production. Additionally, Lien earned Outstanding Set Design (Play or Musical) from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. Her work was recognized with the Best Scenic Design of a Musical award at the Tony Awards for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. She received Outstanding Scenic Design from The Lortels for the same show, along with the Hewes Design Award from The Hewes Awards. Furthermore, Mimi Lien was honored with the Sustained Excellence of Set Design award twice from the Obie Awards.
Videos