Ming Cho Lee facts for kids

Ming Cho Lee (Chinese: 李名覺; pinyin: Lǐ Míngjué; October 3, 1930 – October 23, 2020) was a famous Chinese-American set designer. He created the look of stages for plays, operas, and ballets. He was also a respected professor at the Yale School of Drama, teaching others how to design amazing sets.

Early Life and Education

Ming Cho Lee was born on October 3, 1930, in Shanghai, China. His parents were Lee Tsu Fa and Tang Ing. His father, Lee Tsu Fa, had studied at Yale University.

In 1949, Ming Cho Lee moved to the United States. He attended Occidental College to continue his education.

Family Life

In 1958, Ming Cho Lee married Elizabeth (Rapport) Lee. They had three sons together: Richard, Christopher, and David.

A Career in Set Design

Ming Cho Lee started his career on Broadway in 1956. He worked as an assistant set designer for a show called The Most Happy Fella. This was just the beginning of his long and successful career.

He designed sets for many different types of performances. These included operas, ballets, and plays at regional theaters. He worked on eight productions for the Metropolitan Opera and thirteen for the New York City Opera. He also designed over 30 shows for Joseph Papp at The Public Theater. This included the very first Off-Broadway version of the musical Hair.

Teaching at Yale

Starting in 1969, Lee began teaching at the Yale School of Drama. He was also a co-chair of the Design Department there. He helped shape the minds of many future set designers. In February 2017, he announced his retirement from teaching.

Recognized for His Work

Ming Cho Lee's designs were highly praised. He won many awards for his work. In 1983, he received a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design for the play K2. He also won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design and a Helen Hayes Award.

Awards and Honors

Ming Cho Lee received many important awards for his contributions to theater.

• In 1995, he won the Obie Award for Sustained Excellence. This award recognized his consistent and valuable work in theater.
• He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1998. This is a special honor for people who have made a big impact on American theater.
• In 2002, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts. This is one of the highest honors an artist can receive in the United States.
• He won a Tony Award in 1983 for the play K2.
• In 2013, he received a special Lifetime Achievement Tony Award. This honored his entire career and all his amazing work.

See also

• Chinese in New York City