Director Scenic, Video, & Puppet Designer
Sean Cawelti is an award-winning Creative Director and Designer known for his visually rich, immersive storytelling and interdisciplinary performance work. He is the founding Artistic Director of Rogue Artists Ensemble, where he led over two dozen original productions that merged puppetry, projection mapping, and participatory experiences.
His credits include Little Shop of Horrors at Pasadena Playhouse, the U.S. premiere of Philip Glass’s The Perfect American (Chicago Opera Theater), Kaidan Project: Walls Grow Thin (created with East West Players), and Wood Boy Dog Fish (a large-scale reimagining of Pinocchio). His work spans opera, theme parks, arena tours, and site-specific performance. Sean is a recipient of the Sherwood Award from Center Theatre Group and multiple honors for directing, writing, puppet, and video design. He is a proud member of USA 829 and a founding author of the Los Angeles Anti-Racist Theatre Standards.
LINKS:
- Website/Portfolio: https://www.seancawelti.com
- Kaidan Project: Walls Grow Thin: View project
- Señor Plummer’s Final Fiesta: View project
- Kaidan Project: Alone (AR App): View project
- Wood Boy Dog Fish: View project
AWARDS:
- Ovation Award for Puppet Design – Kaidan Project: Walls Grow Thin (2018)
- Ovation Award for Puppet Design – Wood Boy Dog Fish (2017)
- Sherwood Award for Directing – Center Theater Group (2015)
- UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellent – Gogol Project (2010)
- Los Angeles Drama Circle Award for Writing –Mr. Punch (2008)
- Spirit of Disney Award – Recognizing outstanding contributions (2001)
- 1st place, LA Guild of Puppetry 48 Hour Film Festival– PORTABLE (2021)
- 3rd place overall + Best Cinematography, 48 Hour Film Project – Allergic (2023)
- Multiple Stage Raw & LA Weekly Nominations – Categories in video design, writing, direction, and mask design