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Justin Townsend

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BIO

Justin Townsend received a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award Honour for his work on Moulin Rouge! The Musical. His Broadway credits include Jagged Little Pill, Saint Joan, Present Laughter, The Little Foxes, The Humans (Tony nomination), American Psycho (Tony nomination), Fool for Love, Casa Valentina, A Night with Janis Joplin, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, The Other Place, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. He served as Creative Director for Drake’s “Boy Meets World” European Tour and OVO Fest 2017. He previously worked with Alex Timbers on Here Lies Love. He is an associate professor at Brooklyn College.

Photos

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2024]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2023]
Lighting Design
 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Lighting Designer
 
[US Tour, 2022]
Lighting Design
 
[US Tour, 2022]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 2022]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 2021] [Replacement]
Lighting Designer[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2021]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2019]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2018]
Lighting Designer
 
[Boston, 2018]
Lighting Design
 
[Boston, 2018]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2018]
Lighting Designer
 
[US Tour, 2017]
Lighting Design
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Set and Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 2014]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2013]
Lighting Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2013]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2013]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 2012]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2012]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2011]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Associate Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Assistant Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Assistant Scenic Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 0]
Scenery and Lighting Design
 
[Off-Broadway, 0]
Scenic and Lighting Design

Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Lighting Design (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Justin Townsend, Here Lies Love


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical

Justin Townsend, Moulin Rouge!


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Justin Townsend, Moulin Rouge!


winner
Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Justin Townsend, Jagged Little Pill

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Justin Townsend, Moulin Rouge!

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play

Justin Townsend, The Little Foxes


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical

Justin Townsend, American Psycho


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play

Justin Townsend, The Humans


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

Justin Townsend, American Psycho

The Lortels - 2016 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Justin Townsend, The Humans

Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Justin Townsend, American Psycho

Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Lighting Design of a Play

Justin Townsend, The Humans


winner
Obie Awards - 2014 - Performance- Sustained Excellence of Lighting Design

Justin Townsend


winner
The Hewes Awards - 2014 - Hewes Design Award

Justin Townsend, Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play


winner
The Lortels - 2014 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Justin Townsend, Here Lies Love

Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Justin Townsend, Here Lies Love

Helen Hayes Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production

Justin TownsendOne Night with Janis Joplin

The Lortels - 2012 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Justin Townsend, Unnatural Acts

Helen Hayes Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production

Justin TownsendHamlet

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Justin Townsend, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

Videos

News


Andy Karl And Samantha Dodemaide To Join MOULIN ROUGE! On Broadway This January

Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway will welcome Olivier Award-winner and Tony Award nominee Andy Karl in the role of “The Duke of Monroth” and Samantha Dodemaide making her Broadway debut as 'Nini' beginning Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
Latest Standings Announced For The 2024 BWW Chicago Awards

Don't miss your chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Chicago 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!
Rainn Wilson, Kevin Cahoon, & More Complete URINETOWN Cast at Encores!

NEW YORK CITY CENTER has revealed the complete cast for Encores! Urinetown, playing this February. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets to the production.
First Standings Announced For The 2024 BWW Chicago Awards

Check out the first stats for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Chicago 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!
Photos: Stars Arrive at DEATH BECOMES HER on Opening Night

Stars came out for the opening of DEATH BECOMES HER at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway. Check out photos of Kelly Rowland, Tina Knowles, Tina Fey, Brooke Shields, and more as they arrive on the opening night red carpet here!
Boy George To Return To MOULIN ROUGE! On Broadway This March

Moulin Rouge! The Musical will welcome back global icon & Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter & trailblazer Boy George in the role of “Harold Zidler” beginning Tuesday March 18, 2025.
Photos: Cast & Creative Team of DEATH BECOMES HER Walk the Opening Night Purple Carpet

Check out photos of the cast and creative team of Death Becomes Her, including Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, Michelle Williams, and more, as they walk the opening night purple carpet here!
Photos: DEATH BECOMES HER Opening Night Curtain Call

DEATH BECOMES HER is officially open at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in a production starring Tony Award nominees Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, and more. Check out photos from the opening night curtain call here. 
Review Roundup: DEATH BECOMES HER Opens On Broadway Starring Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard

DEATH BECOMES HER comes to life on Broadway tonight as it celebrates its opening at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in a production starring Tony Award nominees Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Grammy Award winner Michelle Williams. Did the critics fall under the spell of Broadway's most glamourous new musical? Find out below!
Tickets to MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL at Old National Centre On Sale Tomorrow

The first North American tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, winner of 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, will play in Indianapolis at Old National Centre. Learn how to purchase tickets.
DEATH BECOMES HER Extends Run Ahead of Tonight's Opening Night

Ahead of tonight's opening night for Death Becomes Her at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, the production has announced a new block of tickets on sale. Learn more about how to get tickets here!
Video: Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard & More in DEATH BECOMES HER

Get a first look at footage of Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard and more in Death Becomes Her on Broadway. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
MOULIN ROUGE! On Sale This Friday At Kravis Center

Single tickets for the acclaimed musical MOULIN ROUGE will be available at the Kravis Center starting Friday, November 22.
Photos: Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard & More in DEATH BECOMES HER

Get a first look at Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard and more in Death Becomes Her on Broadway. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Photos: MOULIN ROUGE! Welcomes Arianna Rosario and More To Its National Tour

The new North American tour cast of Moulin Rouge! is carting its kickline across the nation! Get a first look at the newest crop of bohemians to hit the road in the iconic jukebox love story in new photos below!
Robert Petkoff to Join MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL on Broadway

Moulin Rouge! The Musical will welcome Broadway veteran Robert Petkoff in the role of 'Harold Zidler' beginning this month. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Review: MOULIN ROUGE at Orpheum Memphis

Truth. Beauty. Freedom. Love. The Bohemian ideals combined with a spectacular medley of tunes, some incredible choreography, and a love story for the ages. 
DEATH BECOMES HER Will Offer Digital Lottery and Rush Tickets

DEATH BECOMES HER, which begins performances this Wednesday, October 23, 2024, has announced its Digital Lottery and Rush Policy. Learn how to get discount tickets here!
DEATH BECOMES HER Digital Lottery And Rush

DEATH BECOMES HER now playing on Broadway has revealed its Digital Lottery and Rush Policy for the new musical comedy. Find out how to get ticket discounts for this new musical!
Tickets to MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL at Old National Centre to go on Sale Tomorrow

The first North American tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical will play in Indianapolis at Old National Centre.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Justin Townsend been nominated for?

Outstanding Lighting Design (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Here Lies Love, Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Moulin Rouge!, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Moulin Rouge!, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Jagged Little Pill, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Moulin Rouge!, Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Little Foxes, Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for American Psycho, Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Humans, Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for American Psycho, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for The Humans, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for American Psycho, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Humans, Performance- Sustained Excellence of Lighting Design (Obie Awards), Hewes Design Award (The Hewes Awards) for Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Here Lies Love, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Here Lies Love, Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for One Night with Janis Joplin, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Unnatural Acts, Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Hamlet and Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.

What awards has Justin Townsend won?

Justin Townsend has won several prestigious awards for his work in lighting design. He received the Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Moulin Rouge! and also won the Outstanding Lighting Design at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same production. Additionally, he earned the Best Lighting Design of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Jagged Little Pill. His other notable wins include Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for American Psycho, and Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for The Humans. He was also recognized with the Outstanding Lighting Design award (Play or Musical) at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for American Psycho. Townsend received the Performance-Sustained Excellence of Lighting Design from the Obie Awards and the Hewes Design Award at The Hewes Awards for Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play. Lastly, he won Outstanding Lighting Design at The Lortels for Here Lies Love.

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Videos