Christopher Akerlind
Latest News on Christopher Akerlind:
Photos: The Cast of INITIATIVE Celebrates Opening Night (Nov 21, 2025)
Review Roundup: INITIATIVE World Premiere Opens At The Public Theater (Nov 21, 2025)
INITIATIVE World Premiere At The Public Theater; Extension Announced (Nov 13, 2025)
Photos: The Cast of INITIATIVE Celebrates Opening Night (Nov 21, 2025)
Review Roundup: INITIATIVE World Premiere Opens At The Public Theater (Nov 21, 2025)
INITIATIVE World Premiere At The Public Theater; Extension Announced (Nov 13, 2025)
BIO
Broadway: End of the Rainbow, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, 110 In The Shade (Tony nom.), Shining City, Well, Awake and Sing! (Tony nom.), Rabbit Hole, The Light In The Piazza (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics awards), Reckless, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Seven Guitars (Tony nom.), among others. Recent: King Lear (Public Theater), Kdo! (Foret Nationale, Brussels), Kafeneion (Athens Festival), Garden Of Earthly Delights (Minetta Lane); Orpheus X (TFANA), Kaos (NYTW). Awards: Obie/Sustained Excellence, among others.
Photos
Into The Woods
CREATIVE TEAM
STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Music & Lyrics
JAMES LAPINE
Book
NOAH BRADY
Co-director
BEN STEINFELD
Co-director
LISA SHRIVER
Choreographer
DEREK MCLANE
Set Design
WHITNEY LOCHER
Costume Design
CHRISTOPHER AKERLIND
Lighting Design
DARRON L
Date:
02/20/2017
From: Photo Flash: INTO THE WOODS on Tour Coming to The Tobin Center, 2/23
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Into The Woods
CREATIVE TEAM
STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Music & Lyrics
JAMES LAPINE
Book
NOAH BRADY
Co-director
BEN STEINFELD
Co-director
LISA SHRIVER
Choreographer
DEREK MCLANE
Set Design
WHITNEY LOCHER
Costume Design
CHRISTOPHER AKERLIND
Lighting Design
DARRON L
Date:
02/20/2017
From: Photo Flash: INTO THE WOODS on Tour Coming to The Tobin Center, 2/23
Into The Woods
CREATIVE TEAM
STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Music & Lyrics
JAMES LAPINE
Book
NOAH BRADY
Co-director
BEN STEINFELD
Co-director
LISA SHRIVER
Choreographer
DEREK MCLANE
Set Design
WHITNEY LOCHER
Costume Design
CHRISTOPHER AKERLIND
Lighting Design
DARRON L
Date:
02/20/2017
From: Photo Flash: INTO THE WOODS on Tour Coming to The Tobin Center, 2/23
Productions
Awards and Nominations
Drama Desk Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play
Christopher Akerlind, Clyde’s
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play
Christopher Akerlind, Indecent
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)
Christopher Akerlind, Indecent
winner
Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Lighting Design of a Play
Christopher Akerlind, Indecent
The Lortels - 2016 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, Grounded
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, Rocky
Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Christopher Akerlind, Rocky
Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Christopher Akerlind, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
winner
The Lortels - 2009 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, Garden of Earthly Delights
The Lortels - 2007 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, KAOS
Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Lighting Design of a Play
Christopher Akerlind, 11 in the Shade
Tony Awards - 2006 - Best Lighting Design of a Play
Christopher Akerlind, Awake and Sing!
winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2005 - Best Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, The Light in the Piazza
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, The Light in the Piazza
winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, The Light in the Piazza
winner
The Hewes Awards - 2005 - Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, Belle Epoque
winner
The Hewes Awards - 2005 - Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, The Light In The Piazza
The Lortels - 2005 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, Belle Epoque
winner
Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Christopher Akerlind, The Light in the Piazza
The Lortels - 2004 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Christopher AkerlindWell
The Lortels - 2003 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, Don Juan
The Lortels - 2003 - Outstanding Scenic Design
Christopher Akerlind, Don Juan
winner
Obie Awards - 2000 - Sustained Excellence Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind
Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind , Seven Guitars
Drama Desk Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, The Lights
Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Lighting Design
Christopher Akerlind, Mad Forest
Videos
Video: First Look at Rehearsals for Huntington Theatre's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
by Joshua Wright - 2025-04-23 12:36:32
Video: Get A First Look At The Return of FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES at The Met Opera
by Joshua Wright - 2024-04-08 17:41:58
VIDEO: Watch A New Trailer For FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES at The Met Opera
by Alan Henry - 2022-02-11 13:29:06
VIDEO: Ciara Renee and Joshua Henry Perform 'You Matter to Me' From WAITRESS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2021-12-06 15:45:29
VIDEO: Terence Blanchard, James Robinson & More Discuss FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES
by Alan Henry - 2021-09-28 14:13:29
VIDEO: Sara Bareilles and the Cast of WAITRESS Perform 'Opening Up' in Rehearsal
by Stephi Wild - 2021-08-07 10:16:29
VIDEO: The Guthrie Theater Celebrates The Holidays With A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by A.A. Cristi - 2019-11-13 22:02:25
VIDEO: Watch the Trailer For the Same-Sex OKLAHOMA! at Oregon Shakespeare Festival
by Stephi Wild - 2018-08-19 17:24:26
TV: Preview A LETTER TO HARVEY MILK - Extended Through June 30
by Julie Musbach - 2018-03-28 14:27:15
VIDEO: TIME AND THE CONWAYS' Anna Camp on Cell Phone Disruptions: 'You Just Have to Take It All In'
by Caryn Robbins - 2017-10-05 10:59:56
VIDEO: Sara Bareilles, Jessie Mueller & WAITRESS Cast Perform Medley on the TONY AWARDS
by Caryn Robbins - 2016-06-12 22:48:42
VIDEO: First Look - Jessie Mueller in Adorable Trailer for WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL
by Caryn Robbins - 2016-02-12 09:32:25
VIDEO: Jessie Mueller, Sara Bareilles Appear in All-New WAITRESS Promo
by Caryn Robbins - 2016-01-25 07:40:01
STAGE TUBE: Watch Highlights from Long Wharf's THE SECOND MRS. WILSON Premiere
by Stage Tube - 2015-05-14 17:59:41
In Performance Video: THE LAST SHIP's Sting, Rachel Tucker Perform 'August Winds'
by Caryn Robbins - 2014-12-16 08:24:43
News
Photos: The Cast of INITIATIVE Celebrates Opening Night
by Jennifer Broski - Nov 21, 2025
The Public Theater recently celebrated opening night of the world premiere of INITIATIVE, an epic new play by Emerging Writers Group alumnus Else Went and directed by The Public Theater’s inaugural Directing Fellow Emma Rosa Went. Check out photos from the red carpet!
by Jennifer Broski - Nov 21, 2025
The Public Theater recently celebrated opening night of the world premiere of INITIATIVE, an epic new play by Emerging Writers Group alumnus Else Went and directed by The Public Theater’s inaugural Directing Fellow Emma Rosa Went. Check out photos from the red carpet!
Review Roundup: INITIATIVE World Premiere Opens At The Public Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 21, 2025
Go inside the lives of a group of California teens in the Public Theater world premiere of INITIATIVE, an epic new play by Emerging Writers Group alumnus Else Went and directed by The Public Theater’s inaugural Directing Fellow Emma Rosa Went. Read the reviews!
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 21, 2025
Go inside the lives of a group of California teens in the Public Theater world premiere of INITIATIVE, an epic new play by Emerging Writers Group alumnus Else Went and directed by The Public Theater’s inaugural Directing Fellow Emma Rosa Went. Read the reviews!
INITIATIVE World Premiere At The Public Theater; Extension Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 13, 2025
The Public Theater has released new production photos for Else Went’s world premiere INITIATIVE, now in previews and newly extended through December 7.
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 13, 2025
The Public Theater has released new production photos for Else Went’s world premiere INITIATIVE, now in previews and newly extended through December 7.
INITIATIVE World Premiere to Begin Previews at The Public Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 28, 2025
The Public Theater has begun previews for the world premiere of INITIATIVE, an epic new play by Emerging Writers Group alumnus Else Went and directed by The Public Theater’s inaugural Directing Fellow Emma Rosa Went. Learn more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 28, 2025
The Public Theater has begun previews for the world premiere of INITIATIVE, an epic new play by Emerging Writers Group alumnus Else Went and directed by The Public Theater’s inaugural Directing Fellow Emma Rosa Went. Learn more!
Photos: INITIATIVE World Premiere in Rehearsals at The Public Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 15, 2025
You can now get a first look at rehearsal photos for The Public Theater’s world premiere play INITIATIVE, written by Emerging Writers Group alumnus Else Went and directed by Emma Rosa Went.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 15, 2025
You can now get a first look at rehearsal photos for The Public Theater’s world premiere play INITIATIVE, written by Emerging Writers Group alumnus Else Went and directed by Emma Rosa Went.
Review: CAMELOT at Barrington Stage Company
by Marc Savitt - Jul 1, 2025
I confess, it was difficult to leave the house on a truly glorious summer Sunday to attend the opening of Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot. That said, I had been anticipating this production since it was announced as the first musical of the 2025 season and I believe that it does not disappoint.
by Marc Savitt - Jul 1, 2025
I confess, it was difficult to leave the house on a truly glorious summer Sunday to attend the opening of Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot. That said, I had been anticipating this production since it was announced as the first musical of the 2025 season and I believe that it does not disappoint.
SWEENEY TODD Comes to Opera Maine
by Stephi Wild - Jun 30, 2025
Opera Maine will present a production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a tale of vengeance, love, and dark humor that has captivated audiences for decades.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 30, 2025
Opera Maine will present a production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a tale of vengeance, love, and dark humor that has captivated audiences for decades.
Barrington Stage Company Unveils Additional Cast and Creatives for 2025 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 18, 2025
Barrington Stage Company has revealed additional and creative teams for the company’s 2025 Season. Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 18, 2025
Barrington Stage Company has revealed additional and creative teams for the company’s 2025 Season. Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets!
Blues/Rock Opera THE MOBY DICK BLUES Begins Performances at La MaMa
by Emmy Rice - Jun 7, 2025
The Moby Dick Blues runs June 7 - 22, 2025 in a limited engagement at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre, located at 66 East 4th Street in New York City. Opening night is June 9.
by Emmy Rice - Jun 7, 2025
The Moby Dick Blues runs June 7 - 22, 2025 in a limited engagement at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre, located at 66 East 4th Street in New York City. Opening night is June 9.
Video: Emily Skinner and More Star in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at the Huntington Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 5, 2025
The Huntington has revealed first look video of The Light in the Piazza, a contemporary musical based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, book by Craig Lucas, and directed by Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco (The Triumph of Love).
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 5, 2025
The Huntington has revealed first look video of The Light in the Piazza, a contemporary musical based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, book by Craig Lucas, and directed by Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco (The Triumph of Love).
Review: The Huntington's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA is Sweepingly Cinematic
by R. Scott Reedy - May 21, 2025
The 1962 feature film “Light in the Piazza” was shot on location at the Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and the Via Veneto and Roma Ostiense railway station in Rome, making its technicolor splendor a hard act to follow when the story, based on a 1960 novella by Elizabeth Spencer, was developed for the stage in 2003.
by R. Scott Reedy - May 21, 2025
The 1962 feature film “Light in the Piazza” was shot on location at the Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and the Via Veneto and Roma Ostiense railway station in Rome, making its technicolor splendor a hard act to follow when the story, based on a 1960 novella by Elizabeth Spencer, was developed for the stage in 2003.
THE MOBY DICK BLUES World Premiere to be Presented at La MaMa
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 20, 2025
La MaMa will present The Forty Hour Club's world premiere of The Moby Dick Blues, an epic new blues/rock opera written and created by Michael Gorman, directed by Joe John Battista. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 20, 2025
La MaMa will present The Forty Hour Club's world premiere of The Moby Dick Blues, an epic new blues/rock opera written and created by Michael Gorman, directed by Joe John Battista. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
THE MOBY DICK BLUES To Have World Premiere At La MaMa In June
by A.A. Cristi - May 20, 2025
La MaMa will present The Forty Hour Club's world premiere of The Moby Dick Blues, an epic new blues/rock opera written and created by Michael Gorman, directed by Joe John Battista, with original music by Battista and lyrics by Gorman.
by A.A. Cristi - May 20, 2025
La MaMa will present The Forty Hour Club's world premiere of The Moby Dick Blues, an epic new blues/rock opera written and created by Michael Gorman, directed by Joe John Battista, with original music by Battista and lyrics by Gorman.
Video: First Look at Rehearsals for Huntington Theatre's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
by Joshua Wright - Apr 23, 2025
Get a first look inside rehearsals for The Huntington's The Light in the Piazza, a contemporary musical based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, book by Craig Lucas, and directed by Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco (The Triumph of Love). The Light in the Piazza runs from Thursday, May 8 – Sunday, June 15, 2025 at the Huntington Theatre.
by Joshua Wright - Apr 23, 2025
Get a first look inside rehearsals for The Huntington's The Light in the Piazza, a contemporary musical based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, book by Craig Lucas, and directed by Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco (The Triumph of Love). The Light in the Piazza runs from Thursday, May 8 – Sunday, June 15, 2025 at the Huntington Theatre.
Emily Skinner and More to Star in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at the Huntington Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 10, 2025
The Huntington has revealed the cast and creative team of The Light in the Piazza, a contemporary musical based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer. See who is starring and learn more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 10, 2025
The Huntington has revealed the cast and creative team of The Light in the Piazza, a contemporary musical based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer. See who is starring and learn more.
Review: The Huntington's THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE is Just That
by R. Scott Reedy - Mar 20, 2025
The first production of Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux’s “The Triumph of Love” – performed in Paris in 1732 – was no box-office bonanza. Indeed, it closed after just six performances, with audiences apparently finding distasteful the story of a princess seducing not only a young man but an older man and an older woman as well.
by R. Scott Reedy - Mar 20, 2025
The first production of Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux’s “The Triumph of Love” – performed in Paris in 1732 – was no box-office bonanza. Indeed, it closed after just six performances, with audiences apparently finding distasteful the story of a princess seducing not only a young man but an older man and an older woman as well.
Opera Maine to Present SWEENEY TODD- THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2025
Opera Maine will present Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a tale of vengeance, love, and dark humor that has captivated audiences for decades.
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2025
Opera Maine will present Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a tale of vengeance, love, and dark humor that has captivated audiences for decades.
THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE At The Huntington Finds Cast and Creative Team
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 11, 2025
The Huntington has announced the cast and creative team of The Triumph of Love, the classic romantic comedy written by Pierre Carlet de Marivaux, translated by Stephen Wadsworth, and directed by Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco (Prayer for the French Republic at The Huntington).
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 11, 2025
The Huntington has announced the cast and creative team of The Triumph of Love, the classic romantic comedy written by Pierre Carlet de Marivaux, translated by Stephen Wadsworth, and directed by Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco (Prayer for the French Republic at The Huntington).
Colombari to Present Theatrical Adaptation of Flannery O'Connor's EVERYTHING THAT RISES MUST CONVERGE
by Blair Ingenthron - Oct 3, 2024
Compagnia de' Colombari will perform Everything That Rises Must Converge in Brooklyn at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church on October 13 at 6pm.
by Blair Ingenthron - Oct 3, 2024
Compagnia de' Colombari will perform Everything That Rises Must Converge in Brooklyn at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church on October 13 at 6pm.
Review: Blanchard-Lemmons' FIRE SHUT UP Makes Another Splash at the Met
by Richard Sasanow - Apr 11, 2024
It was tough separating the opera from the event when FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES opened the first post-Covid pandemic season at the Met. Back then, in September 2021, FIRE made history as the first opera by a Black composer, Terence Blanchard with his librettist Kasi Lemmons (based on the book by Charles M. Blow), to make its way to the Met stage. This week, it returned to show that contemporary opera can have “legs” on the big stage of the company.
by Richard Sasanow - Apr 11, 2024
It was tough separating the opera from the event when FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES opened the first post-Covid pandemic season at the Met. Back then, in September 2021, FIRE made history as the first opera by a Black composer, Terence Blanchard with his librettist Kasi Lemmons (based on the book by Charles M. Blow), to make its way to the Met stage. This week, it returned to show that contemporary opera can have “legs” on the big stage of the company.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What awards has Christopher Akerlind been nominated for?
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Clyde’s, Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Indecent, Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Indecent, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Indecent, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Grounded, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Rocky, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Rocky, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Garden of Earthly Delights, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for KAOS, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for 110 in the Shade, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Awake and Sing!, Best Lighting Design (BroadwayWorld Awards) for The Light in the Piazza, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Light in the Piazza, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Light in the Piazza , Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for Belle Epoque, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for The Light In The Piazza, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Belle Epoque, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Light in the Piazza, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Well, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Don Juan, Outstanding Scenic Design (The Lortels) for Don Juan, Sustained Excellence Lighting Design (Obie Awards), Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Seven Guitars, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lights and Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Mad Forest.
What awards has Christopher Akerlind won?
Christopher Akerlind has won several prestigious awards for his lighting design work. He received the Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play award from the Drama Desk Awards for Indecent and was also honored with the Best Lighting Design of a Play award at the Tony Awards for Indecent. Additionally, he earned the Outstanding Lighting Design award from the Drama Desk Awards for Rocky. His work on Garden of Earthly Delights was recognized with the Outstanding Lighting Design award from The Lortels. For The Light in the Piazza, Akerlind won multiple awards, including Best Lighting Design from the BroadwayWorld Awards, Outstanding Lighting Design from the Drama Desk Awards, and Outstanding Lighting Design from the Outer Critics Circle Awards. He also received Lighting Design awards from The Hewes Awards for both Belle Epoque and The Light in the Piazza. Furthermore, he was honored with the Best Lighting Design of a Musical award at the Tony Awards for The Light in the Piazza. Lastly, Christopher Akerlind received the Sustained Excellence Lighting Design award from the Obie Awards.
Videos