Creators of sets both literal and imaginative, here are the 2025 Orlando Sentinel honorees for best scenic design, as selected by theater critic Matthew J. Palm.

Although it’s impossible for one person to see every local production, as the Orlando Sentinel’s theater critic, each year I see a broad array of dramas, comedies and musicals. The individuals selected for this 2025 theatrical honor roll, presented here alphabetically, elevated Central Florida’s theatrical arts. Go to OrlandoSentinel.com/entertainment to see the honorees in other categories, and check back on Dec. 22 to learn the Critic’s Pick in this category.

Tramaine Berryhill was scenic designer for the Theatre at St. Luke’s production of “Big Fish.” (Courtesy Howard Clifton via Theatre at St. Luke’s)

Tramaine Berryhill

Big Fish Theatre at St. Luke’s

IN AUGUST: “Big Fish” veers between intimate, realistic scenes to larger-than-life numbers full of theatrical magic. Tramaine Berryhill designed a handsome, multitiered and delightfully surprise-filled set that handled the many needs of this complicated show beautifully. This is Berryhill’s fourth time honored in this category of the annual theater awards.

Derek Critzer was scenic designer for Theater West End’s production of “American Psycho.” (Courtesy Mike Kitaif via Theater West End)

Derek Critzer

‘American Psycho’ Theater West End

IN OCTOBER: Derek Critzer’s design for “American Psycho” perfectly encapsulated the 1980s vibe of the story and the “look-at-me” mentality of the show’s characters. A bank of TV sets — the old-school box type — provided a backdrop to the action, displaying live video, scene-setting details and other imagery. Meanwhile, the actors strutted their stuff on a series of catwalks — ideal for these self-absorbed characters. This is Critzer’s 12th appearance in the year-end theater honors, across multiple desigining and directing categories.

Samantha DiGeorge was scenic designer for the Theater on the Edge production of “The Sunset Limited,” with Allan Whitehead and Daniel Bentley. (Courtesy Marco DiGeorge via Theater on the Edge)

Samantha DiGeorge

‘The Sunset Limited’ Theater on the Edge

IN JULY: Samantha DiGeorge’s hyper-realistic scenic design for “The Sunset Limited” was a critical factor in grounding this high-concept story. Her rundown apartment was full of nifty detail: The rips in the shabby sofa, the chip in the dinner bowl. And by incorporating working appliances, as a character made coffee and prepared stew, the smells deliciously enhanced the comfort in his arguments. DiGeorge is a five-time honoree for her design work. She was awarded a Critic’s Pick in 2022 for designing the costumes in Theater on the Edge’s “Say Goodnight, Gracie.”

Bert Scott was scenic designer for the Orlando Shakes production of “Cabaret,” with Anastasia Remoundos. (Courtesy Tony Firriolo via Orlando Shakes)

Bert Scott

‘Cabaret’ Orlando Shakes

IN FEBRUARY:  Bert Scott’s fading theater for “Cabaret” looked as if it was decaying along with society: Dusty curtains, peeling wallpaper and tarnished mirrors. If theater is a reflection of life, that tarnish represented the stain on all of us for the inhumanity we show one another. And the design perfectly complemented the attitude of the characters, insisting “In here, life is beautiful” — oblivious to the realities of the situation. This is Scott’s fourth time being honored in this category.

Bonnie Sprung was scenic designer for the Playwrights’ Round Table production of “The Ghosts of Glencolumbkille.” (Courtesy Jeremy Wood via PRT)

Bonnie Sprung

‘The Ghosts of Glencolumbkille’ Playwrights’ Round Table

IN APRIL: In the cabin the friends share, designer Bonnie Sprung created her best set yet at the Imagine Performing Arts Center. Full of stairs and doors, the detail-filled set somehow made the theater seem more expansive while simultaneously reinforcing the idea that the story’s group of  friends were trapped together in their own little world. Sprung was also honored in this category in 2023 for her work on the Ensemble Company’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/17/scenic-design-best-orlando-theater-2025/