Dave Mickey
Associate Dean
My leadership philosophy, at its core, is based on these key elements: safety, inclusion, information, collegiality, and efficiency. I try to be as transparent as legally possible, attend to issues in a timely manner, make myself available for conversations, discussions, meetings, and answer emails in a timely manner. I have collaborated with the Environment, Health, and Safety and the College of the Arts’ staff to implement and maintain safety protocols in all college labs. I have been able to support student diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and success by collaborating with various university partners to obtain the resources to provide equitable high-quality educational opportunities. As a result of these collaborations I have been able to obtain just over $2 million dollars for new resources that include 250 new computers for Visual Arts, 13 new computers and new instruments for the School of Music, new photography equipment, new production equipment for performing arts including a new projector for the Meng Concert Hall. I oversee the planning and effective use of instructional, office and support space, including facility management.
I oversee course enrollments, and the college’s admission process including strategic enrollment management. I created panels focused on diverse communities in the arts. As part of the Student Success Team, I support students by creating a welcoming sense of belonging through student orientations and workshops, provide equitable advising, and contribute to closing the equity gap through targeted initiatives.
Theatre Design
Dave Mickey has over 270 design credits in sound, video, interactive, and lighting for theatre productions at Off-Broadway’s Theatre Row, 59E59 NYC, Virginia Stage Company, International City Theatre, The Colony Theatre, The Rubicon Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, the Chance Theatre, the Blank Theatre, and Syzygy theatre. Mr. Mickey receive the 2023 Stage Scene LA “Scenie” Award for Outstanding Sound Design (Multiple Productions). He also received the 2014 NAACP Best Sound Design for BREATH & IMAGINATION, the Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award, a national award in sound design sponsored by USITT, three Editor Choice Awards from the Maker Faire, Honorable Mentions for the Garland Awards, Outstanding Achievements by StageSceneLA.com and nominations for the LA Weekly Theater Awards.
Off-Broadway
Dave Mickey has had five Off-Broadway productions, two at Theatre Row at the SOLO Festival for sound, lighting, and projection design on both productions. At 59E59 NYC Dave Mickey designed the projections for THE LONESOME TRAVELER. Dave Mickey also produced two student showcases at St. Luke’s Theatre.
International
Edinburgh Fringe, Prague Quadrennial
Dave Mickey Toured the interactive art piece called MicePaceMaze to the Edinburgh Fringe. He also led a workshop on interactive theatre at the 2011 Prague Quadrennial.
Art installation
Dave Mickey had art installations at the Nixon Library, with Alison Saar in Madison Square Park NYC, Dave Mickey created the fire flies inside of the sculpture, and interactive art installations with the City of Valencia.
Show control Programming @ Universal studios Hollywood
In 2009 and 2010 Dave Mickey programmed the video for Bill and Ted Excellent Halloween Adventure across four computers and 11 screens/projectors.
In 2009 Dave Mickey programmed the day show sound and night show sound and video for GrinchMas.
At Caltech as the Sr. Audio Technician Dave Mickey mixed over 1,000 concerts and productions including being the sound engineer for Stephen Hawking and for President Bill Clinton address on technology.
Dave Mickey worked as a production assistant on GATTACA during the filming at Cal Poly Pomona.
Dave Mickey received the NAACP Theatre Award: Best Sound – Equity, Breath and Imagination
Dave Mickey designed, builds, and sells MIDI Hardware called Midi Kill Switch with over 400 users internationally. User highlights include: The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil and on tour with Blink-182.
Dave Mickey developed over 70 iOS, Apple TV, and Mac Apps. Apps include MIDI apps, Theme Park apps, Educational apps, Sounds apps, Car apps, and Marquee app. Apps are available on the App Store and have over 12,000 users internationally.
Developed at CalArts, MicePaceMaze toured to Edinburgh, Burning Man Decomp, and three Maker Faires, receiving three Editor Choice Awards by Make Magazine. Dave Mickey created the camera tracking and logic of the game using Max/MSP.
Awards
2024 SCENIES Awards: OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGNER (Multiple
Productions)
2023 Orange Curtain Award Best Sound Design for RENT
2023 SCENIES Awards: OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGNER (Multiple
Productions)
2022 LADCC Nominations for Theatrical Excellence Award for Daisy, International City Theatre, Video Design
2017 SCENIES Awards: Best Sound Design for Shipwrecked!
2016 SCENIES Awards: Outstanding Sound Design
2015 SCENIES Awards: Best Sound Design
2014 NAACP Theatre Award: Best Sound – Equity, Breath and Imagination
2013-2014 SCENIES Awards: Best Sound Designer for Breath And Imagination, Don’t Dress For Dinner, Flyin’ West, Let’s Misbehave: The Music And Lyrics Of Cole Porter, Other Desert Cities, Trying
2014 Ovation Nominated: Breath And Imagination, Other Desert Cities
2014 NAACP Nominated Best Sound – Equity, Breath and Imagination
2012-2013 SCENIES Awards: Best Sound Designer for American Fiesta (The Colony Theatre), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (The Chance Theatre), Dead Man’s Cell Phone (International City Theatre), Master Class (International City Theatre), and Overlooked (The Chance Theatre).
2012-2013 SCENIES Awards: Best Production design: Around the world in 80 Days (International City Theatre) and The Night Fairy (South Coast Repertory).
2010 L.A. WEEKLY THEATER AWARDS 2 nominations for Hyperbole: Origins, Rogue Artists Ensemble at [Inside] the Ford
2009 Garland Awards: Honorable Mention
2008 Maker Faire: 3 Editor Choice Awards for Mice’Pace Maze
2007/2008 Outstanding Achievement by a Lighting Designer for Dickie and Babe & Goblin Market from StageSceneLA.com
2008 Garland Awards: 2 Honorable Mentions
2007 winner of the Robert E. Cohen Sound Achievement Award
2007 winner of the QLab workspace challenge
Reviews
“Dave Mickey‘s sound design is perfect, as sound cues are unintrusive and marry perfectly to the show’s emotions without getting overbearing.” Stage and Cinema, by William C.
“Additional paraphernalia and a couple of standing mikes on either side of Nakagawa’s set are there for a reason too. (Hint: Think of how classic radio plays created their sound effects, a technique we now call Foley, and get ready to ooh and aah at how Dave Mickey has created one of the year’s most extraordinary sound designs without a single prerecorded effect, aided and abetted by the multitasking Ley and Price.)” by Steven Stanley
“Dave Mickey’s nostalgic sound design is a particularly meaningful element of the production. Pre-show is filled with ragtime jewels – interestingly enough all composed by women – ranging from the slower, sweeter rags like “Piffle Rag” and “Poker Rag” to the more upbeat march sound of “Pickles and Peppers.” And later, a pivotal moment in the play happens between Myra and Woolsey to the lovely “Romantic Rag.” The minimalistic use of other sound cues creates tension when needed most and breaks the gentle flow of time with great effect.”
BWW Reviews By Ellen Dostal
The eerie sound effects by Dave Mickey add a compelling final atmospheric touch to this most involving production. for “Doubt”
Huntington Beach Independent
Sound designer David Mickey contributes a superior musical score to bridge the scenes with power and authority. for “Othello”
Huntington Beach Independent
Best of 2007 for “Heads”
Sound Design by Dave Mickey
LA Times
“Dave Mickey’s potent sound design”
Eric Marchese, Orange County Register
Critic’s Pick for “Goblin Market”
Sound/Lighting Design by Dave Mickey
Back Stage West
Critic’s Pick for “One Flea Spare”
Sound Design by Dave Mickey
Back Stage West
“Dave Mickey’s skillful sound”
Melinda Schupmann, Back Stage West
“Dave Mickey’s imaginative sound design”
Don Maslowski, Daily Bulletin
“Dave Mickey’s pulsing sound effects undergird the script’s tension”
Eric Marchese, Orange County Register