On October 24th, 2022, the Lee clan gathered with hundreds of his extended family of friends, colleagues, and students, as well as members of the theater community (both in person and virtually) to celebrate the life and work of Ming Cho Lee. They shared memories, told tall tales, and reflected on Ming’s life in the theater, in the classroom, and in the studio. The event was held at the Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. Here is a video replay of the full event:
Born in Shanghai, China on October 3, 1930, set designer Ming Cho Lee left an indelible mark on worldwide theatrical practice. Ming’s grand, imaginative approach to scenography made him a favorite collaborator of Joseph Papp, and a frequent guest at the Metropolitan Opera, Arena Stage, and the Guthrie Theater, among many others. He received the 1983 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design, as well as the 2002 National Medal of the Arts.
Over almost 50 years (1969 to 2017) as an instructor and Chair of Design at the Yale School of Drama, Ming not only influenced generations of designers, but also created the School’s Mace, contributed to the architectural reconfiguring of Yale Rep with Michael Yeargan (’72), and designed the Iseman Theater with Bronislaw (Ben) Sammler (’74, former Chair of Technical Design and Production). With his tireless wife, Betsy, Ming organized annual portfolio reviews for graduate designers, across several U.S. schools, known affectionately as “Ming’s Clambake.”In 2018, the first-floor classroom at 205 Park Street where his legendary Saturday classes had been held for a decade was named in his honor. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Yale in 2020. Ming passed away on October 23, 2020.
Here’s the link to the Stage Directions’ In Memoriam for Ming Cho Lee.
Speakers/performers:
- Sharen Jenson (reading remarks of Michael Miller)
- Andrew Lee (reading remarks by Jon Jory)
- Marjorie Kellogg
- Robert Marx
- Lin Hwai Min
- Jennifer Tipton
- Alec Hammond (reading favorite “Ming-isms”)
- Katherine Lerner Lee
- Karen Lerner
- Pianist Richard Lee
Program notes found here: https://www.katherinelernerlee.com/clambake
