Trefoni Michael Rizzi
Teddy’s Travels – America’s National Parks
It is no accident that Teddy’s Travels™ and SimpleGuides has an underlying mission to make learning fun. Travel, Design, Theatre for Young Audiences, Puppetry and Education are Trefoni Michael Rizzi’s passions. Thanks to his parents, with a dedication to “taking a family vacation” every year, Rizzi has been an avid traveler from a very young age. He has traveled throughout the United States, Europe, Canada and Mexico and looks forward to traveling as often as he possibly can.
As an Artist, Rizzi has been a scenic, lighting and costume designer for over 25 years. He has received numerous awards for his Theatrical Design and made his off-Broadway debut in 2005, designing sets, lighting and projections for A Woman of Will, starring Amanda McBroom.
As an Educator, he has taught Art, Entertainment Design, Theatre and Puppetry at such academic institutions asThe Art Institute of California Hollywood, Fairfield University in Connecticut, The University of Alaska in Fairbanks and Los Angeles City College, Citrus College, and Cosumnes River College in California. He also served as Assistant Director of Admissions at Art Center College of Design. Rizzi holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from UCLA in Design and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Hawaii Manoa in Theatre and Dance.
A resident of Joshua Tree, California, Rizzi is also a past President of the Board of Directors for Hosteling International, Los Angeles Council. Not surprisingly, HI’s mission closely resembles that of Teddy’s Travels™ – to help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hosteling.
Tedrick de Bear
Tedrick de Bear™ has been a long time traveling companion of Rizzi’s and was the motivator behind the writing of Teddy’s Travels™. It was Tedrick™ who convinced Rizzi that a book about the National Parks would be a great way to share all of their ‘Ventures™. Because, as Tedrick™ always says, “If you share your memories with others, you can go on a ‘Venture™ every day of your life!”