Jo Mielziner
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Jo Mielziner (1901-1976) was an American theatrical scenic, costume, and lighting designer born in Paris, France. He was considered one of the most influential theatre designers of the 20th century, designing the scenery and often the lighting for over 200 productions, many of which became American classics.
Mielziner's Broadway debut was in 1924 with The Guardsman, for which he designed the scenery and lighting. His other Broadway credits include the original productions of Winterset, Dodsworth, Strange Interlude, Carousel, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, The King and I, A Streetcar Named Desire, Death of a Salesman, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Gypsy: A Musical Fable, and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, as well as the film Picnic, and the ballet Who Cares?.
During World War II, Mielziner worked as a camouflage specialist with the United States Air Force.
In the course of his career, Mielziner won five Tony Awards. His influence extended outside of the theatre. He was acquainted with the American artist Edward Hopper, who is said to have modeled his well-known painting Early Sunday Morning after Mielziner's set for Elmer Rice's play Street Scene, produced in 1929.
Mielziner co-designed the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center with architect Eero Saarinen. He resided for many years at The Dakota and can be seen working in his studio in an exterior shot in the film Rosemary's Baby.
