Artist Bio

(Bio as of September 2021)

Michael Alan Stein (Costume Designer, 1959-2021) was an award-winning costume designer whose professional journey began at Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where he studied clothing design. In a career spanning more than two decades, Michael’s work has graced many of this nation’s premier stages, including Guthrie Theatre, Goodman Theatre and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Stein was known for his striking silhouettes and vibrant use of color. His design skills seamlessly spanned across theatre, film and television. He was commissioned to design projects ranging from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Royal Caribbean Cruises to restaurant uniform design. He was on the advisory board for the School of Fine Arts at Dominican University and was the recipient of many awards and honors, including a Fellowship from The National Endowment for The Arts and a Joseph Jefferson Citation for outstanding achievement in costume design. Additionally, his original sketch and design for world-renowned artist and photographer Renee Cox’s RAJÉ (RAGE!) superhero character is in the permanent collection of Archives of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution.