Photo of Gianni Downs, a white man with brown curly hair and short beard.

Gianni Downs

Adjunct Faculty, Scenic Design

he/him

Gianni teaches skills-based classes in the Scenic Design area including Vectorworks, Design for Screens, and Introduction to Design.


Gianni Downs is an Associate Teaching Professor in Scenic Design and Scenic Painting at the University of Pittsburgh and moonlights here at CMU school of Drama as an Adjunct Instructor. His work has been nationally recognized with a Kevin Kline Award and two nominations for productions at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, as well as an Irene Ryan nomination for designs at Stoneham Theatre. He is the recipient of the 2017 Tina and David Bellet Teaching Excellence Award and with his colleague Annmarie Duggan: the 2019 Provost’s Personalized Education Grant, as well as both the 2018 and 2015 Innovation in Education Awards. Gianni received his MFA from Brandeis University, served as adjunct faculty at Point Park University, and is a proud member of United Scenic Artist local USA829.