David Hersey

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David Hersey BIO

Since his arrival in London from New York many years ago, David Hersey has designed the lighting for hundreds of plays, musicals, operas and ballets. He was lighting consultant to the National Theatre for ten years and is a past chairman and current fellow of the Association of Lighting Designers. In 2002 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Middlesex University. His many awards include Tonys for Best Lighting Design for Evita, Cats and Les Misérables plus the 1996 Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design for Burning Blue, The Glass Menagerie and Twelfth Night. He received Tony nominations for The Life and Times of Nicholas Nickleby, Starlight Express, Miss Saigon and Oklahoma! and Olivier nominations for Oliver!, Glengarry Glen Ross, Martin Guerre, Oklahoma!, South Pacific, My Fair Lady and The Coast of Utopia. The production of My Fair Lady received the 2001 Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production.

A keen yachtsman, David completed a two-year sabbatical during which he sailed his yacht around the world. Since his return, he has designed the lighting for productions including South Pacific, Coast of Utopia, Love’s Labour’s Lost and Anything Goes in the West End. Following on from the opening on Broadway of Oklahoma! was Les Misérables. His latest designs to open in the West End include Porgy and Bess, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks and Equus.

David founded DHA Lighting, industry leaders in the design and manufacture of specialist lighting equipment and effects. He has designed lighting extravaganzas at the Mirage, Treasure Island and Belaggio hotels in Las Vegas, and his work can be seen in theme parks in Florida and Italy.

David Hersey Productions

 
[West End, 2016] [Replacement]
Lighting Designer[Replacement]
 
[West End, 2012]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 2002]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 2001]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 2001]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1996]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1994]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1993]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1991]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1989]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1989]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1989]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1988]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1985]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1984]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1982]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1982]
Settings/Lighting
 
[West End, 1982]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1981]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1981]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1980]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1979]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1979]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1978]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 1978]
Lighting Designer

David Hersey Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2003 - Best Lighting Design

David HerseyThe Coast Of Utopia - Voyage, Shipwreck, Salvage

Olivier Awards - 1995 - Best Lighting Designer

David HerseyGlengarry Glen Ross

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Lighting Design

David Hersey , Miss Saigon

Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Lighting Design

David Hersey, Les Misérables

Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Lighting Design

David Hersey, Les Misérables

Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Lighting Design

David Hersey, Starlight Express

The Hewes Awards - 1982 - Special Citation

David Hersey, The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Lighting Design

David Hersey , The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

David Hersey Videos

David Hersey News


RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S OKLAHOMA! with Hugh Jackman to Play Cinemas Around The Globe This Month

The Olivier Award-winning 1998 production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, starring then-newcomer Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman) as Curly, will screen in more than 840 cinemas around the globe for two days only on Sunday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 19.

1998 Production of OKLAHOMA! Starring Hugh Jackman is Coming to Cinemas This Summer

The National Theatre’s acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! is headed to cinemas worldwide this summer. Starring then-newcomer Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman) as Curly, this riveting stage revival was filmed following its record-breaking 1998 run in London.

CATS Comes To Bank Of America Performing Arts Center In May!

The American Theatre Guild will present one of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS. This production is part of the BROADWAY IN THOUSAND OAKS SERIES and will take the Bank of America Performing Arts Center stage May 11–14, 2023.

Video: Andrew Lloyd Webber Sends Message Of Support to Ukrainian Students Performing CATS in Bomb Shelter

Students at a school in Kiyv recorded a production of the musical CATS from their bomb shelter amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS Will Play Mayo Performing Arts Center From, March 10-March 12

One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Morristown's Mayo Performing Arts Center from Friday, March 10 – Sunday, March 12.

CATS Returns To Philadelphia By Popular Demand March 14 �" 19 On The Kimmel Cultural Campus

One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will return to Philadelphia March 14 through March 19, 2023, at the Miller Theater (formerly Merriam Theater), presented by the Kimmel Cultural Campus and The Shubert Organization.

CATS On Sale At The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center This Friday

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center has announced the on sale date for one of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS.

CATS On Sale At Kalamazoo's Miller Auditorium This Week

One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Kalamazoo's Miller Auditorium for three performances, Feb. 17 – 18, 2023, as part of a new North American tour. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS Comes To Cleveland, November 1-20

One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Playhouse Square from November 1-20 as part of a multi-season North American tour.

The Granada Theatre to Present CATS in October

The American Theatre Guild is pleased to present one of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS. This production is part of the BROADWAY IN SANTA BARBARA SERIES and will take The Granada Theatre stage October 17–18, 2022.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS To Play Cleveland's Playhouse Square, November 1 To November 20

One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Playhouse Square from November 1 – 20, 2022, as part of a new North American tour.

CATS Returns To San Jose's Center For The Performing Arts Next Month

One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS, will return to San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts (255 S. Almaden Blvd.) for a limited one-week engagement as part of a new North American tour beginning Tuesday, September 20 and running through Sunday, September 25, 2022.

Photos: North American Tour of CATS Comes to Portland's Keller Auditorium

One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Portland’s Keller Auditorium from Tuesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 26 as part of a new North American tour.

CATS is Coming to Portland's Keller Auditorium in June

One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Portland’s Keller Auditorium from Tuesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 26 as part of a new North American tour. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Sunday, April 24.

CATS Comes To Proctors in May

One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Schenectady from Tuesday, May 3 to Sunday, May 8 as part of a new North American tour. Tickets are available through the Box Office at Proctors, in person or via phone at 518-346-6204 Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or online.

CATS is Coming to Fort Lauderdale's Broward Center

One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to Fort Lauderdale from Tuesday, April 5, 2022 to Sunday, April 10, 2022 as part of a new North American tour. Tickets are on sale now.

State Theatre New Jersey Presents CATS

Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater—“Memory.” Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, the record-breaking musical spectacular has captivated audiences in over 30 countries in 15 languages, is back on tour across North America. This tour features new sound design, direction, and choreography. 

Tickets On Sale Now For CATS at the Kravis Center

One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts from February 8 - 13 as part of a new North American tour. Tickets are on sale now.

CATS Comes to The Ohio Theatre in January

CAPA and PNC Broadway in Columbus will present one of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS, coming to the Ohio Theatre January 11-16 as part of its new North American tour.

CATS Comes To South Bend Through December 5th

CATS will perform in South Bend this weekend through Sunday, December 5th, 2021. Get a first look at the national tour cast in action!

David Hersey FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

David Hersey has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Best Lighting Design (BroadwayWorld Awards), Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards), Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards), Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play (Drama Desk Awards), Best Lighting Design (Olivier Awards), Best Lighting Designer (Olivier Awards), Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards), Special Citation (The Hewes Awards), and more. These nominations were for various productions such as Equus, The Coast Of Utopia - Voyage, Shipwreck, Salvage, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!, Burning Blue, Glengarry Glen Ross, Miss Saigon, Chess, Les Misérables, Starlight Express, Cats, The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, and Evita.

David Hersey has won several awards for his lighting design work on Broadway. He received the Best Lighting Design award from the BroadwayWorld Awards for Equus and the Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play award from the Drama Desk Awards for Equus as well. Hersey also won the Outstanding Lighting Design award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Oklahoma! and the Best Lighting Designer award from the Olivier Awards for Burning Blue. Additionally, he received the Outstanding Lighting Design award from the Drama Desk Awards for Miss Saigon and the Best Lighting Design award from the Tony Awards for Les Misérables and Cats. Hersey was also honored with a Special Citation from The Hewes Awards for The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. Furthermore, he won the Best Lighting Design award from the Tony Awards for Evita.

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