Wolfgang Roth is an internationally prominent stage designer, theatrical consultant, and painter. He was born in Berlin, Germany, on 25 February 1910 to Heinrich and Frima (Margulies) Roth. He began his artistic career by studying decorative painting and was masterpupil at the State Academy of Arts in Berlin. His interests turned toward the theatre and he completed his design and painting apprenticeship at Erwin Piscator's theatre, where he eventually became a professional designer. Roth also worked as assistant art designer at the state theatres and operas as well as at privately owned theatres; studied under and collaborated in productions with Bertolt Brecht; and was both designer for and performer in political reviews, cabarets, and experimental films.
After leaving Germany in 1933, he worked in Vienna as a stage designer and architect for a year, then went to Zurich where he created unusual sets for vaudeville and variety shows, a first for Continental theatre. Playing the part of a musical clown, he also performed in vaudeville and circuses, and designed for musical plays, operas, operettas, and dramas.
In 1938 Roth designed for Erwin Piscator's London production of War and Peace and then took up permanent residence in the United States. In 1940 he married Lee Greenspan and in 1945 became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Since then he has worked in the U.S. and in Canada, designing for summer theatres, Broadway, off-Broadway, industrial shows, ballet, and for the major New York and other U.S. opera companies. He also commutes to Europe on occasion to fulfill similar commitments there. In 1957 he created, designed, and produced a dance-pantomime The Littlest Circus, which toured the U.S. and Canada and has been shown on WCBS - TV.
Roth is a life-member of United Scenic Artists and he was Master teacher of Stage Design at New York University's School of the Arts until 1972. Since 1942 he has had numerous one man shows of his paintings and theatrical designs in the New York City area and elsewhere.
