John Morris, AIA, has had distinguished careers in both professional theater and architecture. In 1986, he founded a Chicago architectural firm, where he designed several residential and commercial projects. He headed the firm’s theater design division, leading design teams for several adaptive re-use and new construction theater projects, including the new home for the internationally renowned Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Other Morris-designed spaces that enhance Chicago’s off-Loop theater districts include Lookingglass Theatre at Chicago Water Tower Pumping Station, the Beverly Arts Center, Raven Theatre, and the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts. As principal of MAP, he has overseen architectural design from the conceptual stage through completion of a project.

For ten years prior to 1980, John worked on over 200 productions in professional theater in Detroit, New York, and Chicago. He owned and operated an independent scenic studio in Chicago, designing sets and lighting for local productions. In addition to set design, John has worked as a scenic artist, master carpenter, stage electrician, rigger, stage manager, and technical director. He worked with the Goodman Theatre, Meadow Brook Theatre, The Apollo Theatre, and Second City, among others. John was an artist-in-residence for the Chicago Council on Fine Arts, and taught in a graduate design studio at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Throughout his career, John has been involved in all stages of design, from conceptual development to construction administration. His dedication to collaboration and innovation has earned him a reputation as a leader in the field of theater architecture.