UC Riverside assistant professor of teaching Christopher Scott Murillo has been named “Scenic Designer of the Year” by a Southern California website for his work on several theatrical productions.

Murillo, an assistant professor of teaching in production design for stage and screen with the Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production, is a scenic designer and artist who has created set designs for theater and television.

StageSceneLA announced the award last month as part of its annual Scenies, celebrating outstanding achievements in Southern California theater. The awards were based on reviews of 161 productions in Los Angeles and Orange counties between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

Murillo designed nine productions during this period, of which six were reviewed for the award. Much of the work was for new, original plays, he said.

“My work is all visual and for a critic to acknowledge the skill and quality of a scenic design is always a great feeling,” Murillo said. “In many ways, it is validating and encouraging.”

The productions he was honored for include:

•    “The Chinese Lady,” directed by Shinshin Uder Tsai at the Chance Theater in Anaheim Hills

•    “A Winter’s Tale,” directed by Tracy Young at Skylight Theater Company in Los Feliz

•    “Master Class,” directed by Tim Dang at Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre

•    “Gloria,” directed by Marya Mazor at the Chance Theater in Anaheim Hills

•    “Flashes of Light,” a new musical by Billy Larkin and Ron Boustead at Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre

•    “Hide and Hide,” a new play by Roger Q. Mason, directed by Jessica Hanna at Skylight Theater Company in Los Feliz. 

Murillo has also served as production designer on television productions including “Stargaze,” “Halo the Series: Declassified,” and “The Ready Room with Wil Wheaton.” He was previously the set decorator on reunion specials for the “Real Housewives” series.