FRANK J OLIVA (b.1992, Miami) is a Cuban-American Stage Designer.
Recent Designs include world premieres and new productions at The SHED, Ars Nova, The Bushwick Starr, Weston Theatre Company, Geva Theatre Center, Miami New Drama, Manhattan School of Music, Two River Theatre Company, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, GableStage, Area Stage Company, The Kitchen Theatre, Theatreworks Colorado Springs, The Curtis Institute, The Mannes School, among others.
As Associate Designer: HANGMEN (2022 Tony Nomination, Best Scenic Design of a Play, Broadway & Atlantic, des. Anna Fleischle); OKLAHOMA! (2019 Tony Nomination, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Broadway, St. Ann’s Warehouse & National Tour, des. Laura Jellinek); WEST SIDE STORY (Broadway, des. Jan Versweyveld); SOUNDTRACK OF AMERICA (des. David Rockwell, The Shed at Hudson Yards) and ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME (Shakespeare Theatre, des. Anna Fleischle).
Frank has taught in the Theatre & Film Programs at New York University, Playwrights Horizons Downtown, Marlboro College and High School for the Performing Arts of Harlem.
Visiting Artist: University of the Arts Philadelphia, University of Rochester, Marlboro College, Mannes School of Music, The New School and The Manhattan School of Music.
Frank is a member of Wingspace Theatrical Design, United Scenic Artists Local 829 and The United States Institute of Theatre Technology.
He is a proud graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Frank was a featured designer at the 2019 Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design & Space. Frank received the 2022 OperaAmerica Director/Designer Prize, 2022 Silver Palm Award, 2017 Innovative Theatre Award and nominated for a 2022 Carbonell Award and a 2018 Audelco Award.
Frank’s work has been profiled in VoyageMIA Magazine, Visa Magazine Japan and Vulture Magazine. He’s represented by Russ Rosensweig and Nicole Zolad at Summit Entertainment Group.
Frank is the grandson of Cuban expressionist Armando Oliva Robain, who worked as a painter, illustrator, costume designer and muralist in Cuba, and later in exile in Miami, FL.
Frank is currently researching his grandfather’s work and biography for a future project.
Frank lives and works in New York City.
photo: Emilio Madrid-Kuser