Areas of expertise

Mr. Desiderio Roybal joined the Theatre Department in the fall of 2000 after teaching scene and lighting design, and technology courses for fifteen years at South Dakota State University. While at SDSU, he was granted a sabbatical and a leave of absence in 1995 to pursue his Master of Fine Arts Degree in Design and Technology at the University of Missouri- Kansas City. After completing his MFA, he was invited to present his scene design portfolio at the Lincoln Center Library in New York City in 1998. Since beginning his design career in 1980, he has designed over 70 productions for theatres throughout the United States .

His research in early 20th century popular theatre using wing and drop design was the focus for his Master of Arts Degree. He, along with 30 students, duplicated seven original drops and three wing and border prosceniums using ground flake glue and dry pigment paint. All drops were sewn, built and rigged using late 19th century technology.
Professor Roybal teaches scene design, scene painting, and other courses associated with the staging theatre. His students are challenged to design scenery using solid research and creative solutions that express their reaction to a play script.

BA, South Dakota St. University?Bookings

MA, South Dakota St. University?Bookings

MFA, University of Missouri at Kansas City

Courses: Fall 2009

Paideia Seminar 1A