I am a NYC-based set and costume designer interested in adventurous work that illuminates new perspectives on iconic pieces, imaginative work that is inherently theatrical, and by plays that seem “unproduceable” because they embrace the impossible.
Finding creative solutions to “impossible” moments is part of the magic of design that excites me. With every production, I invent storytelling solutions that create context, establish focus, and activate the audience's imagination.
Recently recognized with the 2021 USITT Scene Design Award and as a World Stage Design 2022 and Prague Quadrennial 2023 exhibitor, Christian’s work spans musicals, plays, devised immersive productions, dance, and opera.
Recent credits include: A Christmas Carol, Spamalot, Happy Days (Arizona Broadway Theater), Into the Woods (Lincoln Park PAC), The SpongeBob Musical (Titusville Playhouse), Othello (Nebraska Shakespeare), Chasing Andy Warhol (Bated Breath), Spelling Bee (EPIC Players), Afterwards (Pittsburgh Opera), Rusalka (Pittsburgh Festival Opera), Game On (Pittsburgh CLO).
Up next:
Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Titusville Playhouse).
MFA Carnegie Mellon.
I believe that design is all about clarity of storytelling.
Specific choices about the world and characters create context for the story and when done effectively help the audience comprehend and know what to focus on.
I originally entered the industry as a director and feel that experience arms me with an intense appreciation for the production process, an intimate understanding of how to tell a story and use all the elements available to a production, and a critical eye to see when something might be exciting but isn’t contributing to dramaturgical clarity. I relied heavily on learning to see the “big picture” and break it down into the individual elements to discover what, why, and how it is contributing to the audience’s experience.
This translates directly into my artistic process as a designer. My process is one of distillation - taking the story, characters, and dramaturgical, socio-political, and ideological ramifications the script reveals and finding the visual poetic essence that encapsulates the high-level esoteric ideas and themes and translates that essence into intelligible choices.
I am drawn to the more expressionistic modes of storytelling inherent to theater and strive with each design to find innovative visual storytelling solutions that activate the audience's imagination because when activated they become directly involved in the story.
“The scenic design by Christian Fleming frames the musical as if it is taking place on the soundstage of the TV show. The design works well to highlight the musical's TV sitcom roots.” - Gil Benbrook (Talkin’ Broadway)
”When it comes to stagecraft and striking an artistic conversation with the audience, the production is groundbreaking. The techniques employed merge the elements of popular culture, consumerism, and materialism seamlessly.” - Alexander Fatouros (The Theater Times)
“As previously mentioned, part of the secret formula for making The SpongeBob Musical as fun and entertaining as it is, falls to the creative designs and Titusville Playhouse's production truly delivers in this area. Already mentioned are Jordyn Linkous' phenomenal costume and wig designs. Add to that brilliant and bold scenic, projection and video designs by Christian Fleming, which tie the action on stage to the cartoon antics we know and love.” - Joseph Harrison (Broadway World)