He earned a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southwestern University. Previously, he was production manager for the Rice Theatre Program and lecturer in theatrical design (scenery and lighting). Also, he was an assistant professor of communications and served as scenic, lighting, and sound designer at Augusta State University in Augusta, Georgia. Schlief is a company member of Horsehead Theatre Co. as well as resident designer for Generations A Theatre Co. and Classical Theatre Co. He has designed for Main Street Theatre, Houston Shakespeare Festival, City Dance Company, West Virginia Public Theatre, Virginia Musical Theatre, and Brave Dog Theatre. Schlief received the Houston Press Theatre Award for Best Lighting Design for “Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson.”