Justin graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Drama with an emphasis in Scenic Design and Technical Theatre. He began his professional career in St. Louis and quickly became an in-demand artist, designing with several local professional theatres including (Mostly) Harmless Theatre, New Line Theatre, HotCity Theatre, and Historyonics Theatre Company. In that time, he steadily began building a reputation for high quality, inventive designs and dedication to artistic collaboration.

He proudly served as Resident Lighting Designer with Historyonics for three years. As a founding member of the International Theatre Collective, he has worked with fellow ensemble members to produce the original work "Saltwater;" he then toured with the company to Montana, St. Louis, Seattle and British Colombia. In February 2005, Justin accepted a guest artist position at Bemidji State University in Minnesota where he was Scenic and Lighting Designer for their production of "Tartuffe."

Justin was named Best Scenic Designer in St. Louis for 2005 by Playback:STL Magazine - a St. Louis entertainment publication:

"...no one designer has been as consistently on target as Barisonek. In particular, the set he designed for HotCity Theatre's Adult Entertainment was a thing of beauty. Working with a limited playing space, he utilized rolling and swiveling set pieces and panels that were ingeniously utilized in the confines of the ArtLoft theatre."

Justin spent a busy year in Chicago working for a number of companies including Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre and The House Theatre of Chicago. He returned to St. Louis and Union Avenue Opera, acting as Scenic Designer and Technical Director for three productions during the summer of 2006. During the '06-'07 academic year, Justin served as Scene Shop Supervisor and Technical Director for the Theatre Department at Saint Louis University.

In the Fall of 2007, Justin will attend the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music to earn his MFA in Scenic Design.

Until then, he resides in St. Louis with his beautiful wife, Bridget.