Donald Holder
Latest News on Donald Holder:
Donald Holder to Lead Lighting Design at David Geffen School of Drama (Nov 20, 2024)
THE LION KING in Kansas City Tickets Go on Sale This Week (Nov 18, 2024)
Jinkx Monsoon, Nicholas Barasch, Preston Truman Boyd, Samantha Williams Join PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL (Nov 13, 2024)
Donald Holder to Lead Lighting Design at David Geffen School of Drama (Nov 20, 2024)
THE LION KING in Kansas City Tickets Go on Sale This Week (Nov 18, 2024)
Jinkx Monsoon, Nicholas Barasch, Preston Truman Boyd, Samantha Williams Join PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL (Nov 13, 2024)
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.
Photos
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Clive Owen, Donald Holder, Julie Taymor, Elliot Goldenthal, David Henry Hwang, Ma Cong, Jin Ha, Constance Hoffman and Paul Steinberg with the cast during the Broadway Opening Night performance Curtain Call for 'M. Butterfly' on October 26, 2017 at Cort T
Date:
12/30/2017
From: Photo Coverage: Take a Look Back on 2017's Top Curtain Call Moments!
Productions
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
Videos
Video: See Stephanie J. Block as Lilli Vanessi in a Photoshoot for KISS ME, KATE at Barbican Centre
by Blair Ingenthron - Apr 6, 2024
Video: Watch Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar in New KISS ME, KATE Trailer
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 16, 2024
Video: Associate Choreographer Christopher Jackson Explores The Dance in Lyric Opera's CHAMPION
by Alan Henry - Jan 22, 2024
VIDEO: Watch THE LION KING's Broadway Makeup Team Transform Stephen Carlile into Scar
by Blair Ingenthron - Oct 8, 2023
AN EVENING WITH AUDRA MCDONALD, CHAMPION & More Set for Lyric Opera of Chicago 2023/24 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 14, 2023
Watch: THE LION KING on Broadway Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Short Film Highlighting 'The Circle of Life'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 10, 2022
Video: Julie Taymor Talks THE LION KING 25th Anniversary and More!
by Backstage With Richard Ridge - Oct 24, 2022
VIDEO: First Look at Jason Danieley & More in the World Premiere of Ahrens & Flaherty's KNOXVILLE
by Alan Henry - Apr 22, 2022
VIDEO: Joaquina Kalukango Discusses Being Grateful to Be Back on Stage in PARADISE SQUARE Post-Show Speech
by Stephi Wild - Apr 20, 2022
News
Donald Holder to Lead Lighting Design at David Geffen School of Drama
Donald Holder will join the faculty of David Geffen School of Drama at Yale as Professor in the Practice and will serve as Head of the Lighting Design Concentration at the Geffen School and Lighting Design Advisor at Yale Repertory Theatre.
Donald Holder will join the faculty of David Geffen School of Drama at Yale as Professor in the Practice and will serve as Head of the Lighting Design Concentration at the Geffen School and Lighting Design Advisor at Yale Repertory Theatre.
THE LION KING in Kansas City Tickets Go on Sale This Week
Tickets for the return engagement of Disney’s The Lion King in Kansas Citywill go on sale to the public this week. Learn more about how to get tickets here!
Tickets for the return engagement of Disney’s The Lion King in Kansas Citywill go on sale to the public this week. Learn more about how to get tickets here!
Jinkx Monsoon, Nicholas Barasch, Preston Truman Boyd, Samantha Williams Join PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL
Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced further casting, design team and a brand-new title for its reimagined The Pirates of Penzance. This jazz-infused, New Orleans-style Broadway production, now titled Pirates! The Penzance Musical.
Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced further casting, design team and a brand-new title for its reimagined The Pirates of Penzance. This jazz-infused, New Orleans-style Broadway production, now titled Pirates! The Penzance Musical.
Video: Inside THE LION KINGOpening Night in Toronto
The Lion King has opened in Toronto. On opening night, the Princess of Wales Theatre hosted celebrities and returning cast members from the 2000 engagement of the show. Check out the video here!
The Lion King has opened in Toronto. On opening night, the Princess of Wales Theatre hosted celebrities and returning cast members from the 2000 engagement of the show. Check out the video here!
THE LION KING on Broadway Will Its Celebrate 27th Anniversary Tomorrow
The Lion King will celebrate its 27th anniversary on Broadway on Wednesday, November 13th. Learn more about the show and its history, as well as the historic milestone, here!
The Lion King will celebrate its 27th anniversary on Broadway on Wednesday, November 13th. Learn more about the show and its history, as well as the historic milestone, here!
Disney's THE LION KING Returns To The Bushnell In November
Disney's THE LION KING returns to The Bushnell on November 13.
Disney's THE LION KING returns to The Bushnell on November 13.
Photos: DISNEY'S THE LION KING Celebrates 25 Years In The West End With A Special Third Act
Disney’s THE LION KING celebrated 25 triumphant years in the West End’s Lyceum Theatre on the afternoon of Sunday, 20 October with a special gala performance attended by the original creatives of the show including Julie Taymor, Lebo M, Richard Hudson, Irene Mecchi, Roger Allers and Donald Holder. Check out photos from the event here!
Disney’s THE LION KING celebrated 25 triumphant years in the West End’s Lyceum Theatre on the afternoon of Sunday, 20 October with a special gala performance attended by the original creatives of the show including Julie Taymor, Lebo M, Richard Hudson, Irene Mecchi, Roger Allers and Donald Holder. Check out photos from the event here!
Disney's THE LION KING On Sale At the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale Tomorrow
Experience the magic of DISNEY'S THE LION KING as it returns to Fort Lauderdale.
Experience the magic of DISNEY'S THE LION KING as it returns to Fort Lauderdale.
Video: First Look at RIGOLETTO at the Met Opera
Get a first look at the production of Rigoletto now on stage at the Met Opera in this all-new video.
Get a first look at the production of Rigoletto now on stage at the Met Opera in this all-new video.
Review: With Great Music But Little Jesting, RIGOLETTO Returns to the Met
“This is not a cathartic tragedy or a tale of noble sacrifice. There are no admirable characters here, no moral lesson, no redemption, and no silver lining. There is only a merciless depiction of society’s dark side,” say the Met’s program notes for RIGOLETTO. I’m not so sure.
“This is not a cathartic tragedy or a tale of noble sacrifice. There are no admirable characters here, no moral lesson, no redemption, and no silver lining. There is only a merciless depiction of society’s dark side,” say the Met’s program notes for RIGOLETTO. I’m not so sure.
Photos: Robert Downey Jr. and Cast of MCNEAL Celebrate Opening Night
Last night, Ayad Akhtar’s new play McNEAL opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Check out photos from inside the big night here!
Last night, Ayad Akhtar’s new play McNEAL opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Check out photos from inside the big night here!
Photos: Paul Rudd, Matt Damon & More at MCNEAL Opening Night
The Lincoln Center Theater production of McNEAL, a new play by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Bartlett Sher opened last night at the Vivian Beaumont Theater! See photos of stars on the red carpet!
The Lincoln Center Theater production of McNEAL, a new play by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Bartlett Sher opened last night at the Vivian Beaumont Theater! See photos of stars on the red carpet!
Video: Robert Downey Jr. & More in MCNEAL on Broadway
Get a first look at footage of Robert Downey Jr. and more in the play McNeal at Lincoln Center Theater. The cast features Melora Hardin, Andrea Martin, Ruthie Ann Miles, and more. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Get a first look at footage of Robert Downey Jr. and more in the play McNeal at Lincoln Center Theater. The cast features Melora Hardin, Andrea Martin, Ruthie Ann Miles, and more. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
KISS ME, KATE Starring Stephanie J. Block Coming to U.S. Theaters
Kiss Me, Kate, the recent West End revival starring Tony Winner Stephanie J. Block, will be hitting U. S. movie theaters starting on November 17. As previously reported, the film will also be available in the U.K., Canada, and other international markets.
Kiss Me, Kate, the recent West End revival starring Tony Winner Stephanie J. Block, will be hitting U. S. movie theaters starting on November 17. As previously reported, the film will also be available in the U.K., Canada, and other international markets.
Danny Grumich & More to Join THE LION KING North American Tour
The North American tour of Disney's The Lion King will welcome Danny Grumich as Pumbaa and Thom Christopher Warren as the Standby for Scar, Zazu, Timon & Pumbaa. Learn more about the new cast and see how to purchase tickets to the tour!
The North American tour of Disney's The Lion King will welcome Danny Grumich as Pumbaa and Thom Christopher Warren as the Standby for Scar, Zazu, Timon & Pumbaa. Learn more about the new cast and see how to purchase tickets to the tour!
Verdi's RIGOLETTO to Return to The Met This Month
Verdi's Rigoletto will return to the Metropolitan Opera starring reigning Verdi baritone Quinn Kelsey, and soprano Nadine Sierra. Rigoletto has been performed 926 times at the Met since its company premiere on November 16, 1883. Sher’s production premiered on December 31, 2021. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Verdi's Rigoletto will return to the Metropolitan Opera starring reigning Verdi baritone Quinn Kelsey, and soprano Nadine Sierra. Rigoletto has been performed 926 times at the Met since its company premiere on November 16, 1883. Sher’s production premiered on December 31, 2021. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Disney's THE LION KING On Sale At Miller Auditorium Next Week
Tickets for Disney’s THE LION KING at Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo will be available starting Tuesday, Sept. 24.
Tickets for Disney’s THE LION KING at Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo will be available starting Tuesday, Sept. 24.
Review: DISNEY'S THE LION KING at Peace Center
The crown jewel of Broadway roars into upstate South Carolina
The crown jewel of Broadway roars into upstate South Carolina
KISS ME, KATE at Barbican Centre Plays Final Performance Today
Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican Centre, starring Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar, plays its final performance today, Saturday, 14 September.
Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican Centre, starring Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar, plays its final performance today, Saturday, 14 September.
Meet the Cast of MCNEAL, Now on Broadway
McNEAL begins is now running on Broadway at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, marking the first play of LCT’s historic 40th Anniversary season. Meet the cast of McNEAL here!
McNEAL begins is now running on Broadway at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, marking the first play of LCT’s historic 40th Anniversary season. Meet the cast of McNEAL here!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What awards has Donald Holder been nominated for?
Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Paradise Square, Design Award (Obie Awards) for He Brought Her Heart Back in a Box, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for My Fair Lady, Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Anastasia, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Oslo, Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for She Loves Me, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The King and I, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Bridges of Madison County, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Golden Boy, Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Ragtime, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for South Pacific, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for Cyrano de Bergerac, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for South Pacific, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Gem of the Ocean , Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for A Streetcar Named Desire, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Gem of the Ocean, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Violet Hour, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Observe the Sons of Ulster , Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Movin' Out, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Movin' Out, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Thoroughly Modern Millie , Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Jitney, Best Lighting Designer (Olivier Awards) for The Lion King, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Green Bird , Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lion King, Best Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lion King, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for The Lion King, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for The Lion King, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lion King, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Juan Darient: A Carnival Mass, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Juan Darien and Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Stand Up For Tragedy.
What awards has Donald Holder won?
Donald Holder has received numerous awards for his work in lighting design. He won the Design Award at the Obie Awards for He Brought Her Heart Back in a Box. Holder also received multiple honors from The Hewes Awards for his lighting design in Cyrano de Bergerac, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and South Pacific. Additionally, he was awarded Best Lighting Design of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific. Holder's achievements include Outstanding Lighting Design at the Drama Desk Awards for The Violet Hour, Observe the Sons of Ulster, Movin' Out, and The Lion King. He also earned an Outstanding Lighting Design award from The Lortels for Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme. His work on The Lion King was recognized with Best Lighting Design at the Outer Critics Circle Awards and multiple Outstanding Lighting Design honors at the Drama Desk Awards. Overall, Holder's contributions to lighting design have garnered him significant recognition in the theater community.
Videos