This is a video interview with Michael Salvatore Commendatore, projection designer for Disney’s Frozen at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The interview date is March 28, 2025.
In this interview, dramaturg Walter Byongsok Chon talks with Michael Salvatore Commendatore about his career as a projection designer and his work on CTC’s production of Disney’s Frozen.
Disney’s Frozen, the musical adaptation of the hit animation from 2013, was originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions, and premiered on Broadway in March 2018, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and a book by Jennifer Lee.
CTC’s production of Disney’s Frozen is directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene, with music direction by Denise Prosek and Choreography by Rush Benson. This production runs from April 15 to June 15, 2025.
Michael Salvatore Commendatore (he/him) has been designing projections for theatre, musicals, operas, dance, and installations for over a decade, and has had the opportunity to design at several prominent theatres all across the country. Some notable titles include Matilda, Beauty and the Beast, The Magic Flute, Murder on the Orient Express, The Wizard of Oz, The Seagull, The Winter’s Tale, Macbeth, The Three Penny Opera, and Singing in the Rain. Michael would like to thank his wife, Katie, and sassy but sweet cats, JJ and Sebastian, for all the love and support. He holds an MFA from Yale School of Drama. Michaelcommendatore.com
Michael Salvatore Commendatore. Courtesy of Michael Salvatore Commendatore
The interview questions include:
About Michael’s Career as a Projection Designer:
- What made you want to become a projection designer? Were there any shows with projection design that really inspired you? (1:45)
- Could you share some productions you worked on as a projection designer that you are most proud of? What made these productions special for you? (3:30)
- How do you usually determine the final projections you will use for the production? (8:57)
- Do you have a dream project as a projection designer? A play, musical, or opera that you would really love to work on? (11:30)
The Company of Children’s Theatre Company’s production of Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical. Photo by Glen Stubbe Photography
About CTC’s Production of Disney’s Frozen:
- How has your experience been working on this production? (13:25)
- Did you enjoy the animated movie Frozen when it came out in 2013? And back then could you imagine that you would design the projection for a theatrical production 12 years later? (14:55)
- Could you talk about your process working on this show? How do you work with the other designers to create a visually coherent world? (18:35)
- What is your process working with the director? (22:13)
- Do you also work with actors? (23:22)
- Are there any moments in the production that you are most excited about showing the audience? (25:53)
- If you could describe the journey of the projection design throughout the piece, how would you describe it? What kind of a story does the projection design tell? (27:23)
- With the production opening soon on April 15, do you have a message for the audience? (31:23)
Thank you for this interview, Michael! Happy opening!
Laura Marie, Julia Ennen, Gillian Jackson Han, and Adam Jones in Children’s Theatre Company’s production of Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical. Photo by Glen Stubbe Photograph
This post was written by the author in their personal capacity.The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of The Theatre Times, their staff or collaborators.
This post was written by Walter Byongsok Chon.
The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.
