About

Sebastian Zavalza is a Mexican scenic designer with an MFA in Scene Design from Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama (USA), an active USITT, an OISTAT member participating in the Space Design subcommission and adjudicator at the 2026 edition of Storyboard to Design (SB2D).

Sebastian was born in Mexico City, a global cultural destination which fostered his interest and skill development within different areas in the design world. Raised in Mexico and educated internationally—with a bachelor’s degree in Product Design, a specialization in Interior Design in Florence, Italy, and an MFA in Scenic Design in the United States, Sebastián has cultivated a global perspective that strongly shapes his design and collaborative approach. His multidisciplinary practice spans a wide range of productions engaging with social themes and human experiences relevant to contemporary audiences, with a particular focus on community-engaged work that connects across cultures, including Latino communities, and aims to educate, transform, and resonate with people from diverse backgrounds.

Recent theatre productions include DRACULA at Upper St. Clair High School, ALL THE LITTLE BOXES, L'HISTOIRE DU SOLDAT, PARAIAH, VICTORIA STATION, and THREE CHARACTERS FIGURE IT OUT at Chautauqua Theater Company (USA) , TITANIC THE MUSICAL, JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN and LEAR  at Carnegie Mellon (USA), ABIDE at OISTAT Romania Myths & Algorithms International Gala (Romania), CABARET, MATILDA THE MUSICAL JR and THE KNIGHT AT DAWN KIDS THE MUSICAL at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp (USA), MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL at Inquieta Compañía (Mexico), and Mexican Folkloric Ballet at ITESM Queretaro  (Mexico). 

Upcoming productions include  ANON(YMOUS) at Great River Educational Arts Theatre (GREAT), R&J at City Theatre, THE ZIONISTS at Miami New Drama, and MAMMA MIA at Upper St. Clair. 

He's also had collaborations as a Fellow Scenic Designer for Chautauqua Theater Company and Scenic Design assistantships for the shows AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE at the Pittsburgh Public Theater, FLAWLESS and THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY at Penguin Rep Theater, and YOU ON THE MOORS NOW and LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Carnegie Mellon University. 

Regarding Interior Design, he has worked for Grupo Ramón García (Spain & Mexico) developing brand identity through product display for luxury brands (Bimba Y Lola), and for Amsterdam Furniture (Mexico) which focuses on luxury materials and furniture for high-end living spaces.