Mimi Lien
Latest News on Mimi Lien:
The 1/52 Project Opens Applications For Fifth Year Of Designer Grant Program (Feb 3, 2026)
Interview: Jarrett Winters Morley Brings THE HISTORY OF NATASHA, PIERRE... to 54 Below (Jan 16, 2026)
2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Judges and Key Dates Revealed (Jan 13, 2026)
The 1/52 Project Opens Applications For Fifth Year Of Designer Grant Program (Feb 3, 2026)
Interview: Jarrett Winters Morley Brings THE HISTORY OF NATASHA, PIERRE... to 54 Below (Jan 16, 2026)
2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Judges and Key Dates Revealed (Jan 13, 2026)
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
The 1/52 Project Opens Applications For Fifth Year Of Designer Grant Program
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 3, 2026
The 1/52 Project has opened applications for its 2026 grant cycle supporting early-career theatre designers from historically excluded groups. Founded by Beowulf Boritt, the OBIE Award-winning program provides financial grants of up to $17,500.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 3, 2026
The 1/52 Project has opened applications for its 2026 grant cycle supporting early-career theatre designers from historically excluded groups. Founded by Beowulf Boritt, the OBIE Award-winning program provides financial grants of up to $17,500.
Interview: Jarrett Winters Morley Brings THE HISTORY OF NATASHA, PIERRE... to 54 Below
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jan 16, 2026
Read a conversation with Morley about the 1/23 concert, which weaves history about NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 between songs from the show.
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jan 16, 2026
Read a conversation with Morley about the 1/23 concert, which weaves history about NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 between songs from the show.
2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Judges and Key Dates Revealed
by Stephi Wild - Jan 13, 2026
The 2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced the Judging Panel for the 48th Annual Award. The Winner of the 2026 Prize will be announced on February 26 in a special invitation-only celebration at London's Royal Court Theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 13, 2026
The 2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced the Judging Panel for the 48th Annual Award. The Winner of the 2026 Prize will be announced on February 26 in a special invitation-only celebration at London's Royal Court Theatre.
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!
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!
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.
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”).
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 the Best Scenic Design at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. She received the Outstanding Set Design for a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Additionally, she earned Outstanding Set Design (Play or Musical) from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same production. Mimi Lien won Best Scenic Design of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, as well as Outstanding Scenic Design at The Lortels. She was honored with the Hewes Design Award from The Hewes Awards and received the Sustained Excellence of Set Design from the Obie Awards twice, all for her work on Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.
Videos