Lighting Design
Illuminating Possibilities
Carnegie Mellon School of Drama’s MFA Lighting Design program offers a holistic view of lighting as an art and craft, requiring both aesthetic and technical training and skill. Students receive theoretical training in the classroom and practical training in production. With access to top-flight facilities and equipment, students are prepared to design across a wide array of venues and genres. Our faculty and alumni work extensively throughout the industry, and are instrumental in helping new graduates launch their professional careers.
Lighting Design Curriculum
Lighting students learn processes that explore all aspects of light as a visual design element. Students gain knowledge and expertise in the latest technology including automated lighting fixtures, LED fixtures, computer consoles, visualization software programs and media design software. Lighting students become efficient in focus and cueing, Vectorworks and Autocad drafting, designer and technical management paperwork, and lighting design for a range of genres, venues, and production scale.
Student Work
Production Opportunities
Xotchil Musser (Class of 2023) was lighting designer for the School of Drama’s production of “this old haunt.”
See more of Xotchil’s work and process for this production here.
“A Little Night Music”
Jessica Winward (Class of 2024) was lighting designer for the School of Drama’s production of “A Little Night Music.” She took a unique approach to the show by opting to use CMY color mixing rather than RGB to light the cyc.
Dance/Light
Dance/Light is an annual opportunity for students to explore the art form of dance. It is the largest and longest- running cross-discipline project in the School of Drama. The purpose is to unite the elements of choreography, performance, lighting design, costume design, and stage management in a concert dance format.
Xuewei Eva Hu (Class of 2024) was lighting designer for this piece (“Where’s the Catch?”) as part of Dance/Light 2024.
Choreographer: Samantha Pazos
Lighting Designer: Eva Hu
Costume Designer: Yinxue Wang
Stage Manager: Natalie Lawton
Dancer: Ana Schroeder
“A Doll’s House”
Xuewei Eva Hu (Class of 2024) was lighting designer for the School of Drama’s production of “A Doll’s House.”
Click here to see more of Eva’s work on this and other productions.
Production Designs
Zhengdao (Ernest) Wan (Class of 2024) was lighting designer for the School of Drama’s production of “I Think I’m Starting to Want to be a Mother.”
Production Opportunities
Xotchil Musser (Class of 2023) was lighting designer for the School of Drama’s production of “this old haunt.”
See more of Xotchil’s work and process for this production here.
“A Little Night Music”
Jessica Winward (Class of 2024) was lighting designer for the School of Drama’s production of “A Little Night Music.” She took a unique approach to the show by opting to use CMY color mixing rather than RGB to light the cyc.
Dance/Light
Dance/Light is an annual opportunity for students to explore the art form of dance. It is the largest and longest- running cross-discipline project in the School of Drama. The purpose is to unite the elements of choreography, performance, lighting design, costume design, and stage management in a concert dance format.
Xuewei Eva Hu (Class of 2024) was lighting designer for this piece (“Where’s the Catch?”) as part of Dance/Light 2024.
Choreographer: Samantha Pazos
Lighting Designer: Eva Hu
Costume Designer: Yinxue Wang
Stage Manager: Natalie Lawton
Dancer: Ana Schroeder
“A Doll’s House”
Xuewei Eva Hu (Class of 2024) was lighting designer for the School of Drama’s production of “A Doll’s House.”
Click here to see more of Eva’s work on this and other productions.
Production Designs
Zhengdao (Ernest) Wan (Class of 2024) was lighting designer for the School of Drama’s production of “I Think I’m Starting to Want to be a Mother.”
alumni stories
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