Charles Eddie Moncrief III
Scenic Designer
About Charles Eddie Moncrief III
Charles Eddie Moncrief III is a Montgomery-based scenic designer
whose work spans theatre, dance, opera, and a wide range of live
performance. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Scenic Design from
the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2013) and a Master of Fine
Arts in Scenic Design from the University of Alabama.
Rooted in an early fascination with architecture, sculpture, visual art,
and performance, Charles’s artistic path naturally converged in theatrical scenic design—a
discipline that allows concept, space, and storytelling to coexist. His work reflects a synthesis of
structural thinking and expressive artistry, earning him sustained recognition for excellence in
design, including annual Excellence in Design Awards over the past seven years. Earlier in his
career, his scenic work was also awarded first place in the David Weiss Scenic Design
Competition at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) in both 2010
and 2012, among numerous additional honors.
Beyond scenic design, Charles brings a broad and versatile skill set to his work. His technical
and artistic practice includes scenic painting, foam carving and sculpting, hand and digital
rendering, and advanced digital image manipulation using Adobe Photoshop. He also maintains a
strong secondary interest in costume design, an influence that informs his holistic and
collaborative approach to production design.
Charles is a fully tenured Professor of Scenic Design at Alabama State University, where he is
currently in his tenth year of teaching. His instructional areas include Intro to Theatre, Stagecraft,
Scenic Design, Advanced Scenic Design, Scenic Painting, Advanced Scenic Art (3D carving and
sculpting), Drawing and Rendering, Digital Rendering with Photoshop, Career and Portfolio
Development, and Advanced Digital Rendering for Theatrical Design.
While scenic design remains his primary artistic pursuit, Charles considers education his true
calling. At Alabama State University, his mission is to cultivate designers and artists who are not
only technically proficient and creatively ambitious, but also professional, collaborative, and
empathetic. He is deeply committed to preparing students for sustainable careers in the
entertainment industry and has been consistently successful in guiding graduates toward paths
aligned with their individual strengths and aspirations.
Charles often shares the following philosophy with his graduating students:
“When you think you know everything, you are certainly wrong. Live life like a sponge—absorb
knowledge constantly and always be listening. Don’t be afraid to take risks, and when you
inevitably fail (as we all do), learn from the experience. Most importantly, never be dismissive of
others’ ideas or opinions. You may disagree, but never disrespect. Treat your coworkers,
production team, cast, and collaborators the way you would want to be treated yourself.”
