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CREATIVE ORIGINS.

ABOUT

Sean Cawelti (he / they) is an award-winning Creative Director known for his bold, immersive storytelling across theater, themed entertainment, and live performance. With over 20 years of experience, he blends large-scale puppetry, media, and tactile design with cutting-edge technology to create emotionally resonant, audience-centered experiences.

His original productions and designs have been seen at institutions such as the Pasadena Playhouse, Center Theatre Group, South Coast Repertory, Chicago Opera Theater, Cornerstone Theater Company, the Getty Villa and New York City Opera. His work has also toured nationally and internationally — including arena-scale projects like Kanye West’s Yeezus tour and collaborations with LA Theatre Works.

As the founding Artistic Director of Rogue Artists Ensemble (2004–2024), Sean developed over two decades of award-winning, technology-forward immersive Hyper-theatrical experiences. He has led multidisciplinary teams of artists, engineers, and performers through complex creative processes, often directing and designing video, puppetry, and sensory elements himself.

A neurodivergent (autistic) artist and advocate, Sean brings a deep commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and cultural specificity in both process and performance. He co-authored the Los Angeles Anti-Racist Theatre Standards and is a board member of the Jim Henson Foundation, where he supports the next generation of boundary-pushing puppetry artists. He is also a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local USA 829.

Image of Sean refracted as if in a hall of mirrors

AWARDS

  • Sherwood Award for Directing, Center Theater Group, 2015

  • Spirit of Disney Award for extraordinary contributions to theme park attraction division, The Walt Disney Co., 2000

  • Ovation Award for Puppet Design for Kaidan Project: Walls Grow Thin, Immersive, 2018

  • Ovation Award for Puppet Design for Wood Boy Dog Fish, Bootleg Theater, 2017

  • Nominated, LA Weekly Award for Video Design STUPID FUCKING BIRD @ Theater at Boston Court

  • Nominated, Ovation Award for Video Design STUPID FUCKING BIRD @ Theater at Boston Court

  • LA Department of Cultural Affairs Brazil artists residency recipient, 2012

  • Nominated, LA Weekly Theater Award for Video Design HYPERBOLE: origins @ [Inside} the Ford, 2011

  • UNIMA Citation of Excellent for Gogol Project, Bootleg Theater, 2010

  • Nominated, Stage Raw Award for Writing for The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch @ Bootleg Theater, 2009

  • Nominated, Stage Raw Award for Direction for The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch @ Bootleg Theater, 2009

  • Nominated, Stage Raw Award for Mask Design for HYPERBOLE: epiphany @ SOSE, 2006

EDUCATION

New York University – Tisch School of the Arts, 2002

  • Selected for summer intensive puppetry program


University of California at Irvine, 2003

  • BA in Theater, Member of Dean’s honor list, honors in Stage Direction and Design


Brazil Artist Residency, 2009

  • Selected by the City of LA’s Cultural Affairs Department for two month residency

Creative Citizenship

✨ Inclusion & Advocacy

  • Autistic artist committed to accessible and equitable storytelling

  • Focused on uplifting BIPOC, disabled, and emerging artists across all aspects of production

  • Designs processes and experiences with inclusion and emotional impact at the core

🤝 Leadership & Teamwork

  • 20+ years of creative leadership in immersive, theatrical, and themed entertainment projects

  • Experienced team leader managing cross-disciplinary artists and large-scale productions

  • Collaborative, solutions-focused, and empathetic in fast-paced creative environments

🧭 Professional Memberships

Craft + Code

🧵 Fabrication / Tactile Skills

  • Puppet Design & Fabrication

  • Foam Carving & Sculpting

  • Mechanized Puppets

  • Mask Making

  • Sculpture

  • Sewing / Soft Sculpture

  • Scenic & Prop Painting

  • Mold Making & Casting

  • Sensory Effects (smell, tactile triggers, etc.)

🎨 Digital / Software Tools

  • After Effects

  • Cinema 4D

  • Premiere Pro / Media Encoder

  • Photoshop

  • Illustrator

  • SketchUp

  • Logic Pro

  • Final Cut Pro / Compressor

  • QLab / Isadora / Watchout

  • Q-SYS Designer and System Design

  • UNITY - VR / AR / MARS

  • Wix Studio / Cargo

  • Canva

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