JONATHAN SPENCER
Lighting Designer, Scenic Designer, Collaborator
JONATHAN SPENCER
Lighting Designer, Scenic Designer, Collaborator
With a career spanning the United States and internationally, I specialize in designing lighting for musicals, plays, and dance performances. I am honored to have my work showcased at such venues as the New York Public Theater, the John F. Kennedy Center, and Off-Broadway stages including the Westside, Playwrights Horizons, and The Daryl Roth Theater.
Regionally, my work has reached audiences across the country, notably with the RENT 20th-25th Anniversary tours, which performed over 1,200 times during it's seven year run. Additionally, my lighting designs have been featured by various regional theater companies and festivals, including Spoleto Festival USA, Theater Under The Stars, Green Box Arts Festival, and others.
As an Associate Designer I have collaborated over many years with esteemed lighting designers like Ken Billington, Peggy Eisenhauer, Ken Posner, and T.J. Gerckens, often re-lighting their productions or working on their behalf. This role has deepened my appreciation for our craft and the collaborative nature of theater.
I thrive in environments that encourage strong collaboration and creative exchange. I aim to foster an open and inviting atmosphere at the tech table, where team members feel welcome to share ideas or simply be present. Candy is often served.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is observing audiences fully immerse themselves in a production. There’s a unique magic in seeing the outside world fade away as people connect with the performance, whether through laughter, tears, awe, or rhythm. I am deeply grateful to contribute to these shared experiences.
Understanding the constraints of time and budget is central to my approach. I take these responsibilities seriously and believe that adaptability and experience are essential to creating impactful designs.
Beyond the theater, I enjoy life with my wife and our handsome cat. I’m quick to laugh and have a passion for live music, snow skiing, and motorcycle riding. I believe that to be a good storyteller, one must have a big heart. To this end, I strive each day to observe light and art in the world, to deepen my empathy and understanding of others, and to expand my own capacity to love.