Dara Wishingrad

Dara Wishingrad began her career in production design with the creation of massive 360º sets for live events, private affairs and corporate clients such as the SUPERBOWL, THE RYDER CUP, THE US OPEN and PGA GOLF TOURNAMENTS, DONNA KARAN and LAURENCE FISHBURNE. She was the production designer for the DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA HONORS and the TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL, designing the public and private events and screening venues, most notably the General Motors Tribeca Drive-In.

Film production design credits include:
Upcoming features: THE SIXTH REEL written and directed by Charles Busch and Carl Andress starring Charles Busch, Andre DeShields, Julie Halston, Tim Daly and A VERY SENIOR HIGH (formerly Never Too Late) directed by Michael Lembeck starring Ellen Burstyn, Christopher Lloyd, Ann Margret, Loretta Devine, Jane Curtin, James Caan and Elizabeth Mitchell.

Netflix original IRREPLACEABLE YOU directed by Stephanie Laing starring Christopher Walken, Kate McKinnon, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michiel Huisman; 2015 Sundance Award Winner; ADVANTAGEOUS directed by Jennifer Phang; the Sony drama BREAKABLE YOU starring Holly Hunter, Tony Shaloub, Alfred Molina, directed by Andrew Wagner; John Leguizamo’s FUGLY! a fictional retelling of his Broadway show “Ghetto Klown”, directed by Alfredo de Villa; Michael Urie’s meta-comedy HE’S WAY MORE FAMOUS THAN YOU;Boaz Yakin’s (Remember The Titans); The Sundance Film Festival’s featured DEATH IN LOVE starring Jacqueline Bisset, Josh Lucas, Lukas Haas and Adam Brody; CERTAINTY directed by Peter Askin (Trumbo) written by Mike O’Malley and starring Valerie Harper, Giancarlo Esposito, Adelaide Clemens and Bobby Moynihan, Franc. Reyes' New York drama THE MINISTERS starring John Leguizamo, Harvey Keitel and Florencia Lozano; Nia Vardalos’ (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) romantic comedy I HATE VALENTINE’S DAY starring Nia, John Corbett, Rachel Dratch, Zoe Kazan; and other films with notable directors and producers. Television credits include PREMIO LO NUESTRO: THE LATIN MUSIC INTERNATIONAL AWARDS and other commercial programming for Rainbow Media, Compulsive Pictures and Univision Network.

Theatre scenic design credits include:
NO ONE CALLED AHEAD and EMMA by Tony nominated composer Paul Gordon which premiered on ; the two-time New York Times Theatrical Critics Pick BRIGHT COLORS & BOLD PATTERNS playwright/performer Drew Droege, directed by Michael Urie, Barrow Street Theatre; IMAGINING MADOFF by Deb Margolin, playwright, Jerry Heymann director, produced by 59East59 Theatre, New Light Theatre Project; DI KISCHEMAKHERIN/THE SORCERESS by Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre, directed by Motl Didner, written by Avram Goldfaden; 8 STOPS by Deb Margolin playwright/performer, directed by Jay Wahl, Cherry Lane Theatre, The Kimmel Centre for Performing Arts producers; HARD TIMES with music & lyrics by Stephen Foster & Larry Kirwan, book by Larry Kirwan, Kira Simring director, Nancy Manocherian and the cell theatre producer; MARTIN: BEFORE THE DREAM with music & lyrics by Charles Strouse, Leslie Lee playwright, Jeffrey Moss director and produced by Negro Ensemble Company; DEFENSES OF PRAGUE Leslie Lee director, produced by La Mama E.T.C.; WHY DO FOOL$ FALL IN LOVE directed by Wayne Cilento by playwrights Tina Andrews & Stanley Bennett-Clay.

Dara originally trained in fine art at the San Francisco Art Institute and the Art Students League in New York. Beginning her professional career as a performance artist and dancer with her mentor Dianne McIntyre, she performed with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, David Esbjornson and in numerous downtown performance art venues. She was a founding member of Richard Gonzalez's Afro Cuban Dance Ensemble and as a recipient of multiple grants, her original performance dance/art works toured the U.S. and Canada and were reviewed nationally.

Dara Wishingrad is represented in film and television by Dattner Dispoto and Associates