BIO: Christopher Scott Murillo (he/him/his) is a scenic designer (for theater), production designer (for television), and educator based in Los Angeles, CA. He considers himself a fictional anthropologist—and, even more so, a storyteller. His scenic designs have appeared at notable venues including Center Theatre Group, The Getty Villa, The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, The Latino Theater Company, East West Players, and the Hollywood Bowl. He has also been a longtime featured designer at The Chance Theater, New Village Arts, and Playwrights’ Arena.Christopher has contributed to new work development with several distinguished companies, helping playwrights shape the visual worlds of their newest scripts. His work has been showcased at festivals curated by Native Voices at the Autry, IAMA Theatre Company, Playwrights’ Arena, and Cygnet Theatre Company. To date, he has designed over 30 world premiere productions, including new plays by Luis Alfaro, Velina Hasu Houston, Rickerby Hinds, and Boni B. Alvarez. He is a proud member of USA 829, IATSE—a labor union and professional association of designers and artists in the entertainment and decorative arts industries.
As a production designer for television, Christopher was on contract with Paramount+/CBS, collaborating as an in-house designer for their Creative Content Streaming Department. During this time, he designed The Ready Room with Wil Wheaton, a multi-season behind-the-scenes series featuring interviews and guests from the Star Trek universe. He also served as production designer for HALO: The Series: Declassified, a weekly digital after-show that featured sit-down interviews and in-depth episode recaps.
In addition to production design, Christopher has worked as a set decorator for television, notably on reunion specials for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Seasons 4–6) and Orange County (Seasons 8–11). As a model maker, he contributed to the Emmy Award–winning art department of the 86th Academy Awards (The Oscars), designed by Derek McLane with Art Direction by Joe Celli and Gloria Lamb.
Before joining the faculty at UC Riverside, Christopher was an Assistant Professor at Loyola Marymount University, where he taught courses in scenic design and stagecraft. While at LMU, he was honored with the Emerging Scholar Award for his creative work in 2022. Prior to that, he served as a lecturer, adjunct faculty member, and guest artist at several Southern California institutions, including Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Long Beach, Pepperdine University, Chapman University, Riverside City College, and Los Angeles City College.
Christopher holds an MFA from the UC San Diego Department of Theatre and Dance and a BA from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. In 2016, he was awarded the prestigious Princess Grace Foundation Theater Fellowship – Pierre Cardin Award. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Theatre, Film, and Digital Production Department at UC Riverside, where he teaches courses in design for stage and screen
As a production designer for television, Christopher was on contract with Paramount+/CBS, collaborating as an in-house designer for their Creative Content Streaming Department. During this time, he designed The Ready Room with Wil Wheaton, a multi-season behind-the-scenes series featuring interviews and guests from the Star Trek universe. He also served as production designer for HALO: The Series: Declassified, a weekly digital after-show that featured sit-down interviews and in-depth episode recaps.
In addition to production design, Christopher has worked as a set decorator for television, notably on reunion specials for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Seasons 4–6) and Orange County (Seasons 8–11). As a model maker, he contributed to the Emmy Award–winning art department of the 86th Academy Awards (The Oscars), designed by Derek McLane with Art Direction by Joe Celli and Gloria Lamb.
Before joining the faculty at UC Riverside, Christopher was an Assistant Professor at Loyola Marymount University, where he taught courses in scenic design and stagecraft. While at LMU, he was honored with the Emerging Scholar Award for his creative work in 2022. Prior to that, he served as a lecturer, adjunct faculty member, and guest artist at several Southern California institutions, including Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Long Beach, Pepperdine University, Chapman University, Riverside City College, and Los Angeles City College.
Christopher holds an MFA from the UC San Diego Department of Theatre and Dance and a BA from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. In 2016, he was awarded the prestigious Princess Grace Foundation Theater Fellowship – Pierre Cardin Award. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Theatre, Film, and Digital Production Department at UC Riverside, where he teaches courses in design for stage and screen
