Humble Beginnings
My interest in lighting began at a young age in school and community theatre, where I first discovered how colour could strengthen a performance. At school we had a wonderful program which was supported by teachers and parent volunteers. We would draft light plots by hand, create channel hookups, and design and program our own shows!
Although I went on to study engineering and physics, light and lighting remained central to my work. For my Honours, I wrote a research paper on light pollution which has since been published in scientific journals.
Professional Practice
While studying, I worked at lighting supply companies, gaining practical experience with lighting and systems at notable venues in Melbourne’s arts precinct. After my bachelor’s, I completed a short course in lighting design at NIDA.
The combination of training and hands-on experience led me to my career in theatre planning, where I have contributed to many major venue projects in Australia. These include the State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne and QPAC Glasshouse.
I have undertaken professional lighting design secondments with Opera Australia on Cendrillon and with Shake & Stir Theatre on 1984.
In 2024, I served as a Youth Advisor for the Australian Theatre for Young People.
In 2025, I was the Head LX and board operator for The Australian Shakespeare Company’s Hair at the Athenaeum Theatre.
Lighting Design Today
I am proud to bring this unique background into my lighting design practice. My designs typically involve saturated colour, and I am often inspired by nature and diegetic light sources when putting together a lighting design. I continue to work for professional, independent, and community theatre companies, as well as educational institutions.
Selected Lighting Designs
Professional Lighting Design Secondments
2025 – 1984 (Shake & Stir, Comedy Theatre Melbourne), dir. Michael Futcher, LD Jason Glenwright
2024 – Cendrillon (Opera Australia, Joan Sutherland Theatre Sydney Opera House) dir. Laurent Pelly, LD Duane Schuler
Recent Lighting Design Credits
2026 Upcoming
&Juliet (Tall & Short Theatre Co., Eternity Playhouse, Darlinghurst)
NOW (Nurturing Others Worldwide) (Fearless Theatre Co., Theatreworks Explosives Factory) dir. Marion Arditti
Legally Blonde (Tall & Short Theatre Co., Engadine Community Centre) dir. Ben May
2025
Control (flatpack., Theatreworks Explosives Factory) dir. Olivia Staaf
Are You There? (Wild Boar Theatre, Theatreworks Explosives Factory) dir. Rachel Baring
NOW (Nurturing Others Worldwide) (Fearless Theatre Co., Motley Bauhaus) dir. Marion Arditti
Chicago (Tall & Short Theatre Co., Sutherland Arts Theatre, Sydney) dir. Ben May
Grease (Tall & Short Theatre Co., Sutherland Arts Theatre, Sydney) dir. Ben May
42nd Street (St Helena Secondary College) dir. Laura Zinghini
2024
Close to Home (Flatpack., Melbourne Fringe) dir. Kate Cameron
Mamma Mia! (Tall & Short Theatre Co., Pavillion Performing Arts Centre, Sydney) dir. Ben May
Dry Land (Flatpack., Theatreworks Explosives Factory) dir. Olivia Staaf
Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical (Tall & Short Theatre Co., Pavillion Performing Arts Centre, Sydney) dir. Ben May
Our Town (St Helena Secondary College) dir. Amanda Egglestone
Mamma Mia! (St Helena Secondary College) dir. Laura Zinghini
Mamma Mia! (Wheelers Hill Secondary College) dir. Mikayla Ellis
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. (Flinders Christian Community College, Frankston Arts Centre) for Lux Creative
2023
The Scarlet Sun (UMMTA, Union House Theatre) dir. Ethan Francis d’Amour & Madeleine Cheale
Folio Live (Prudence Myer Studio, VCA)
Chicago - Teen Edition (St Helena Secondary College) dir. Laura Zinghini
Frankenstein (St Helena Secondary College) dir. Amanda Egglestone
2021
Songs of a Sentimental Bloke (Eltham Little Theatre Inc.) dir. Brad Buckingham
2019
Hotel Sorrento (Eltham Little Theatre Inc.) dir. Brad Buckingham
Wicked (St Helena Secondary College) dir. Chris Hewitt
Warped (Creative for a Cause Australia, Madeleine Centre), dir. Greta Georgiou
We Three (Dramatic Pause Theatre, Gasworks Arts Park), dir. Hayley Lawson-Smith