Sean is an interdisciplinary artist, theatre designer and educator. He is a graduate of both Toi Whakaari/New Zealand Drama School and VCA University of Melbourne, has a Masters degree in art and design from AUT Auckland and a PhD from the University of Tasmania where he also worked as a lecturer within the creative arts faculty.
Sean was Head of School at the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts (PIPA) in Auckland for 12 years. From 2018 to 2021 Sean was Lecturer in Scenography at Victoria University of Wellington and from 2021 to 2024 Sean was the Head of Design and Arts Management and then Poukōkiri Mātauranga (Academic Director) at Toi Whakaari / New Zealand Drama School.
Recent designs for theatre include Pakaru for Kia Mau Festival, The Surprise Party, At The Wake, Uma Lava, Glitter Garden, Entertaining Mr Sloan, Cherish and Closer at Circa Theatre, Hui and The Factory for Auckland Arts Festival and Red, White and Brass, Heartbreak Choir, The Life of Galileo, Paniora, Wheeler’s Luck, The Shape of Things, The Bellbird, Pollyhood in Mumuland and Sinarella for Auckland Theatre Company.
In 2023 Sean exhibited his scenographic photography series Cruising Wonderland as part of the Prague Quadrennial. In 2019 he was awarded Set Designer of the Year at the Wellington Theatre Awards. In 2018 and 2020 he was a touring finalist in the Wallace Art Awards. Since late 2024 Sean has relocated to Hawkes Bay to take up the position of Head of School IDEAschool.
Set Design by Sean Coyle for “The Life of Galileo“, 2021
Moonlight on wrestlers, Whanganui, 14th May 1920 (diorama) – Sean Coyle
Piranha Park – Sean Coyle