Professor Binkley has been working in the area of theatrical design for over 10 years. Prior to receiving his MFA from Southern Methodist University, he collaborated with the following South Florida organizations: Greater Miami Opera, Miami City Ballet, and the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. Since John's relocation to Southern California in 1996 he has worked with major regional theatres such as Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and South Coast Repertory as well as numerous smaller theatres.Professor Binkley received a BackStage West Garland 1998 for Scenic Design for two productions produced in Equity-waiver theatres in Los Angeles: Patience (Gilbert & Sullivan) by the Antaeus Company and Slide (Lori Latham) produced by the Wilton Project. In 2001 he was chosen as a finalist in the National Endowment for the Arts/Theatre Communications Group career development grant for designers. And in 2002 he was nominated for an Ovation Award for his design work in Street Stories (Paula Cizmar).