Biography: John Edward Blankenchip was born on November 14, 1919 in Independence, Kansas. He studied at Carnegie Mellon University and Yale. He assisted designer Harry Horner. He taught at Sarah Lawrence College for eight years. He became a professor of the USC School of Theatre and founded the Festival Theatre USC-USA. He designed for Tanglewood Music Festival, the Guild Opera Company, La Jolla Playhouse, and others.