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Yi Zhao

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BIO

Greater Clements, Pipeline. Off-Broadway: Fabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine, In the Blood, The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World (Signature); Thunderbodies, Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again.; FUTURITY (Soho Rep); Dreaming Zenzile, The House That Will Not Stand, Red Speedo (NYTW); Actually (MTC). Regional: Guthrie, Yale Rep, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Mark Taper Forum, Dallas Theater Center, Wilma Theater, ACT, Berkeley Rep, Huntington, Shakespeare Theatre, McCarter, St. Louis Rep Theaternatur Festival (Germany). Opera and dance: Norwegian National Opera, Opera Omaha, ArtsEmerson, Hong Kong Arts Festival, Sasha Waltz & Guests (Germany), Ballet de Lorraine (France).

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2023]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018] [Replacement]
Lighting Design[Replacement]
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2018]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Design
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Lighting Designer

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Lighting Design of a Play

Yi Zhao, The Skin of Our Teeth

Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play

Yi Zhao, Greater Clements

Drama Desk Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play

Yi Zhao, The House that Will Not Stand

News


Review: John Adams's EL NINO Finally Arrives at the Met After World Travels

Back in December, I saw the chamber version of John Adams’s EL NINO—dubbed EL NINO: NATIVITY RECONSIDERED—at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Pared down to its essence, it was wonderful, starred two of the singers who made their debuts in the premiere at the Met, soprano Julia Bullock and bass-baritone Davone Tines plus countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, who were at their best. It was a somber evening in a dramatic setting—a far cry from the oratorio/opera’s over-the-top welcome to Lincoln Center last night, in Lileana Blain-Cruz’s production that made me wonder what Franco Zeffirelli might have done with it. Think the Parisian throngs in Act II of the Met’s LA BOHEME (which, of course, is one of the Met’s most popular productions with audiences).
Review Roundup: Critics Sound Off On EL NIÑO at the Metropolitan Opera

The Met premiere of John Adams’s opera-oratorio EL NIŃO, which features soprano Julia Bullock, mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, and bass-baritone Davóne Tines is now on stage! What did the critics think?
John Adams to Present EL NINO at The Met, Staged by Lileana Blain-Cruz

Pulitzer Prize–winning composer-conductor John Adams will return to the Met for the company premiere of his acclaimed opera-oratorio El Niño, opening on April 23.
Review: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY at Shakespeare Theatre Company

The Lehman Trilogy, directed by Arin Arbus at the Shakespeare Theatre Company, is an extraordinary feat of storytelling. It is simultaneously epic and spare. With just three actors it unfolds the captivating and intimate story of one immigrant family that evolves its company, navigates pious lives, innovates new ways of doing business, and ultimately unravels over time into instability and a crushing financial crisis.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Visits TWINS Co-Star Danny DeVito at I NEED THAT

Twins stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito reunited at I NEED THAT over the holidays. Check out a photo of the reunion here.
Video: Get a Backstage Look at I NEED THAT's 90- Second Scene Change

Get a backstage look at I Need That on Broadway's 90-second scene change!
Last Chance to Vote for the BWW San Francisco / Bay Area Awards; Voting Ends 12/31

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld San Francisco / Bay Area 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!
2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW San Francisco / Bay Area Awards; The DROWSY CHAPERONE, KING LEAR, Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble & 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 San Francisco / Bay Area Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
I NEED THAT Starring Danny DeVito Enters Final 3 Weeks of Performances on Broadway

Roundabout Theatre Company’s world-premiere production of I Need That by Theresa Rebeck, starring Danny DeVito, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel, is now in its final three weeks of performances off-Broadway.
BroadwayWorld San Francisco / Bay Area Awards December 5th Standings; The DROWSY CHAPERONE Leads Best Musical!

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld San Francisco / Bay Area Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld San Francisco / Bay Area Awards; KING LEAR Leads Best Play!

Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld San Francisco / Bay Area Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld San Francisco / Bay Area Awards; The DROWSY CHAPERONE Leads Best Musical!

The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 20th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld San Francisco / Bay Area Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Video: Watch Highlights of Danny and Lucy DeVito in I NEED THAT on Broadway

In this video, check out highlights from Roundabout Theatre Company’s world-premiere production of I Need That by Theresa Rebeck.
VIDEO: The Guthrie's A CHRISTMAS CAROL Releases Teaser Featuring Choreographer Regina Peluso

Step into the A CHRISTMAS CAROL rehearsal room with choreographer Regina Peluso and hear how movement is used to infuse this timeless holiday tradition with joy and light. Watch the video here!
Photos: Tony Danza, Mark Ruffalo, and More Celebrate Opening Night of I NEED THAT

Roundabout Theatre Company presents the world premiere of I Need That by Theresa Rebeck, starring Danny DeVito, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel. BroadwayWorld was there backstage and at the after party. Check out photos here of all the stars including a TAXI reunion!
Photos: The Cast of I NEED THAT Takes Their Opening Night Bows

Roundabout Theatre Company presents the world premiere of I Need That by Theresa Rebeck, starring Danny DeVito, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel. The show officially opened last night, November 2. Check out photos of the cast taking their bows here!
Review Roundup: I NEED THAT Starring Danny DeVito Opens On Broadway

Read the reviews for I Need That starring Danny DeVito on Broadway.
Photos: See Danny DeVito & More Celebrate Opening Night of I NEED THAT

See photos from the opening night red carpet of I Need That starring Danny DeVito!
I NEED THAT Starring Danny DeVito Opens on Broadway

Danny DeVito returns to Broadway in the Roundabout Theatre Company world premiere of I Need That by Theresa Rebeck, starring Danny DeVito, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel, which opens on Thursday, November 2.
VIDEO: Watch Rehearsal Footage from The Guthrie's A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Rehearsals for the 49th production of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL have officially begun. Watch video footage here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Yi Zhao been nominated for?

Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Skin of Our Teeth, Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Greater Clements and Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The House that Will Not Stand.

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