Donald Holder

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Donald Holder BIO

Donald Holder has worked extensively in Theatre, Opera, Dance, Architectural and Television lighting in the US and abroad for over 30 years. He has designed 58 Broadway productions and has been nominated for 13 Tony Awards, winning the Tony for Best Lighting Design for The Lion King in 1998, and for the 2008 revival of South Pacific. Recent Broadway productions include: Tootsie, Kiss Me Kate, Anastasia, Oslo, Straight White Men, She Loves Me, Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, On the Twentieth Century, The Bridges of Madison County, Bullets Over Broadway and many others. Projects at the NY Metropolitan Opera include Rigoletto (2022), Porgy and Bess, Samson et Delilah, Otello, The Magic Flute and the premiere of Two Boys. He has worked at most of the nation’s leading resident theatres and has designed over 100 Off-Broadway productions. His television/film work includes the theatrical lighting for two seasons of “Smash” (NBC - Dreamworks), Oceans 8 (Warner Brothers Pictures), “The Bad Witch” (HBO Max), and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon). Mr. Holder is an Associate Professor and head of the lighting program at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts.


Donald Holder Photos

Donald Holder Productions

 
[West End, 2024]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Lighting
 
[Broadway, 2022] [Replacement]
Lighting Design[Replacement]
 
[US Tour, 2021] [Replacement]
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[West End, 2021]
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[Off-Broadway, 2020]
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[US Tour, 2019]
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[US Tour, 2019]
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[Broadway, 2019]
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[Broadway, 2019]
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[San Francisco (Regional), 2019]
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[US Tour, 2018] Cancelled [Replacement]
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[Chicago, 2018]
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[Broadway, 2018]
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[West End, 2018]
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[Washington, DC (Regional), 2018]
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[Broadway, 2017]
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[Regional (US), 2017]
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[New York, 2016]
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[US Tour, 2016]
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[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2016]
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[Chester, CT (Regional), 2016]
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[Broadway, 2015]
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[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2015]
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[Broadway, 2012] Cancelled
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[Off-Broadway, 2011]
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[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 2006]
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[Off-Broadway, 1991]
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[Off-Broadway, 1990]
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[Off-Broadway, 1989]
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[Broadway, 1989]
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[US Tour, 2000]
Lighting Designer

Donald Holder Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, Paradise Square


winner
Obie Awards - 2018 - Design Award

Donald HolderHe Brought Her Heart Back in a Box

Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, My Fair Lady

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)

Donald Holder, Anastasia

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Lighting Design of a Play

Donald Holder, Oslo

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)

Donald Holder, She Loves Me

Tony Awards - 2015 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, The King and I

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, The Bridges of Madison County

Tony Awards - 2013 - Best Lighting Design of a Play

Donald Holder, Golden Boy

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)

Donald Holder, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark

Tony Awards - 2010 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, Ragtime

Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, South Pacific

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Les Liaisons Dangereuses


winner
The Hewes Awards - 2008 - Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Cyrano de Bergerac


winner
The Hewes Awards - 2008 - Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Les Liaisons Dangereuses


winner
The Hewes Awards - 2008 - Lighting Design

Donald Holder, South Pacific


winner
Tony Awards - 2008 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific

Tony Awards - 2008 - Best Lighting Design of a Play

Donald Holder, Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Gem of the Ocean

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Lighting Design of a Play

Donald Holder, A Streetcar Named Desire

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Lighting Design of a Play

Donald Holder, Gem of the Ocean


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, The Violet Hour


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Observe the Sons of Ulster


winner
The Lortels - 2003 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme

Tony Awards - 2003 - Best Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Movin' Out


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Movin' Out

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder Thoroughly Modern Millie

The Lortels - 2001 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Jitney

Olivier Awards - 2000 - Best Lighting Designer

Donald Holder, The Lion King

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder , The Green Bird


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, The Lion King


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Lighting Design

Donald Holder, The Lion King


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1998 - Lighting Design

Donald Holder, The Lion King


winner
Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Lighting Design

Donald Holder, The Lion King


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, The Lion King

Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Doanld HolderJuan Darient: A Carnival Mass

Tony Awards - 1997 - Best Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Juan Darien

Helen Hayes Awards - 1991 - Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production

Donald HolderStand Up For Tragedy

Donald Holder Videos

Donald Holder News


Video: Watch Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar in New KISS ME, KATE Trailer

Watch a trailer for Kiss Me Kate, starring Stephanie J. Block, Adrian Dunbar, and more, coming to the Barbican Centre in London this summer!

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of CORRUPTION at Lincoln Center Theater

Check out photos from opening night of Corruption at Lincoln Center Theater!

Review Roundup: CORRUPTION Opens At Lincoln Center Theater

Lincoln Center Theater presents CORRUPTION a new play by J.T. Rogers, directed by Bartlett Sher. The production officially opened at the Mitzi E. Newhouse tonight! Read the reviews!

Video: Get a First Look at CORRUPTION at Lincoln Center Theater

Get a first look at footage of Lincoln Center Theater's Corruption! Learn about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Photos: Get a First Look at John Behlmann, Saffron Burrows & More in CORRUPTION

Get a first look at photos of Corruption at Lincoln Center Theater! Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

MY FAIR LADY Comes To Popejoy Hall In March

The national tour of MY FAIR LADY has announced its cast for the 2023-2024 season.

Tickets for THE LION KING at the the Ohio Theatre on Sale Now

Tickets for the return of Disney’s The Lion King at the Ohio Theatre are currently on sale. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase.

Lincoln Center Theater's CORRUPTION to Offer $39 Tickets as Part of Digital Lottery

Lincoln Center Theater is launching an online ticket lottery for its production of CORRUPTION. Learn about ticket costs and more about the production here.

The 92nd Street Y, New York's 150th Anniversary Dance Season Presents Ballet Hispánico In A Night Of Historic And New Works

The 92nd Street Y, New York's 150th anniversary dance season continues with Ballet Hispánico – the nation's largest Latinx/Latine/Hispanic cultural organization and one of America's Cultural Treasures – in a night of historic and new works.

Review: THE KING AND I, Dominion Theatre

What is classic for some feels dated to others. Those who were horrified by Daniel Fish’s starkly stripped back version of Oklahoma! should rush to the Dominion Theatre for something much more traditional. After a UK tour, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I settles in for a brief six week run.

THE LION KING Returns to Portland This Fall

Disney Theatrical Group and Broadway in Portland have announced that, in response to the recent weather-related performance cancellations of Disney’s The Lion King, the North American tour will return to Keller Auditorium in Portland for a two-week engagement in Fall 2025.

Video: Associate Choreographer Christopher Jackson Explores The Dance in Lyric Opera's CHAMPION

In an all-new video, Associate Choreographer Christopher Jackson discusses the gumbo of dance found in Terence Blanchard's CHAMPION.

Review: THE LION KING at Keller Auditorium

The reason this musical is the third-longest running in Broadway history (and that its Portland tour stop is three weeks rather than the typical one week) is because it’s truly magical.

Photos: See John Behlmann, Saffron Burrows & More in Rehearsals for CORRUPTION at Lincoln Center Theater

Check out rehearsal photos for Corruption at Lincoln Center Theater!

VIDEO: Director James Robinson on Blanchard's CHAMPION

Learn about the world champion boxer and see how his story inspired Grammy Award-winning composer Terence Blanchard's first foray into opera in this interview with director James Robinson in an all-new video.

Casting Announced For Disney's THE LION KING At Segerstrom Center For The Arts

Casting has been announced for Disney's The Lion King at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Get the details on the upcoming production.

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Minneapolis / St. Paul Awards; Voting Ends 12/31

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Minneapolis / St. Paul Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

John Behlmann, Saffron Burrows & More to Star in CORRUPTION at Lincoln Center Theater

Lincoln Center Theater has revealed the cast for its upcoming production of CORRUPTION, a new play by J.T. Rogers, directed by Bartlett Sher.

Auditions to be Held for Toronto Production Of Disney's THE LION KING

Audition information is now available online for the new Toronto production of Disney’s The Lion King.

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Minneapolis / St. Paul Awards; NEXT TO NORMAL, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, Ashland Productions & More Lead!

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Minneapolis / St. Paul Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Donald Holder FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Donald Holder been nominated for?

Donald Holder has been nominated for numerous awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Best Lighting Design of a Musical at the Tony Awards for productions like "Paradise Square," "My Fair Lady," "The King and I," and "The Bridges of Madison County." He has also received nominations for Outstanding Lighting Design at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for shows such as "Anastasia," "She Loves Me," and "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark." Additionally, Holder has been recognized for his work with nominations at the Drama Desk Awards, the Hewes Awards, the Olivier Awards, and the Lortel Awards for various productions including "South Pacific," "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," "The Lion King," and "Movin' Out." His diverse body of work has earned him nominations across a wide range of theatrical genres and styles.

What awards has Donald Holder won?

Donald Holder has won numerous awards for his outstanding lighting designs in Broadway productions. Some of his notable wins include the Design Award (Obie Awards) for "He Brought Her Heart Back in a Box," Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for "Cyrano de Bergerac," "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," and "South Pacific." He also won the Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific" and Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for various productions such as "The Violet Hour," "Observe the Sons of Ulster," "Movin' Out," and "The Lion King." Additionally, he received accolades like Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for "Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme," Best Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for "The Lion King," and Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for "The Lion King."

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