Mikhail Fiksel

Fiksel was born in Akademgorodok, near Novosibirsk, Russia, and received early training in classical music. After immigrating to the United States, he became involved in underground electronic music and DJ culture. His work draws on a wide range of musical influences and frequently explores juxtaposition, re-contextualization, and experimental approaches to sound. He has collaborated with artists and theatre companies including Chay Yew, Les Waters, Robert Falls, Kimberly Senior, and Anne Kauffman. He plays piano and bass.^[3]

Fiksel began his career as a DJ under the name "DJ White Russian" before exploring sound design. He then gained experience in sound design in Chicago and New York City, working for theatres such as the Goodman Theatre and Playwrights Horizons.^[4]

Mikhail Fiksel is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in Sound Design at Columbia College Chicago^[5] and has previously taught at Loyola University Chicago (2008–2015) and the University of Chicago. His teaching focuses on sound design for theatre, including both foundational and advanced techniques and their application in storytelling and immersive performance.^[6]

He is a Resident Artist with Albany Park Theatre Project, Teatro Vista, and Strawdog Theatre Company, with sound design credits including “Blood and Gifts,” “The How and the Why,” “Inana,” and “A Disappearing Number.” He is also a company member of 2nd Story and has collaborated with Third Rail Projects on immersive works such as “Learning Curve” (2016) and “Port of Entry” (2023).^[7] and an Artistic Associate with TimeLine Theatre Company^[8]

His Broadway credits include Dana H., for which he won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Sound Design in a Play, the 2024 revival of Uncle Vanya, and the 2025 premiere of Little Bear Ridge Road.