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Donald Holder Headshot

Donald Holder

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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

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2025]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 2024]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Lighting
 
[Broadway, 2022] [Replacement]
Lighting Design[Replacement]
 
[US Tour, 2021] [Replacement]
Lighting Designer[Replacement]
 
[West End, 2021]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2020]
Lighting Design
 
[US Tour, 2019]
Lighting Designer
 
[US Tour, 2019]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2019]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2019]
Lighting
 
[San Francisco (Regional), 2019]
Lighting Designer
 
[US Tour, 2018] Cancelled [Replacement]
Lighting Designer[Replacement]
 
[Chicago, 2018]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2018]
Lighting Design
 
[West End, 2018]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2018]
Lighting Design
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2018]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Designer
 
[Regional (US), 2017]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Designer
 
[New York, 2016]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Lighting Designer
 
[US Tour, 2016]
Lighting
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Lighting Designer
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2016]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Lighting
 
[Regional (US), 2016]
Lighting Designer
 
[Chester, CT (Regional), 2016]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Lighting Design
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2015]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Lighting Design
 
[Regional (US), 2014]
Lighting Design
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2013]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2012] Cancelled
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2011]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2011]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 2011]
Lighting Designer
 
[US Tour, 2011]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2009]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2009]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[, 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[US Tour, 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2005]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2005]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Lighting Designer
 
[Regional (US), 2004]
Lighting Designer
 
[US Tour, 2004]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Lighting Designer
 
[US Tour, 2004]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
 
[West End, 2003]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
 
[US Tour, 2003]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Lighting Designer
 
[US Tour, 2002]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Lighting Designer
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2000]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Lighting Designer
 
[, 2000]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Lighting Designer
 
[US Tour, 2000]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1999]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1999]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1996]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1996]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1992]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1992]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1992]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1992]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1992]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1989]
Lighting Designer
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Lighting Designer

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

News


RAGTIME Sets New Box Office Record at Lincoln Center Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 30, 2025

Lincoln Center Theater’s 2025 revival of  Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, has broken the record for highest weekly gross in the history of Lincoln Center Theater.
Review: MOZART’S THE MAGIC FLUTE at The Metropolitan Opera
by Gabby Ziccarelli - Dec 12, 2025

As the houselights dim at the Metropolitan Opera, the Julie Taymor–directed The Magic Flute transports viewers into a buoyant and kaleidoscopic fairy-tale dreamworld. This abridged, English-language production is a visually sumptuous version of Mozart's singspiel bathed in bold primary colors, shaped by ingenious Masonic-inspired geometric staging, and animated by exquisite puppetry.  
Review: PORGY AND BESS Raises the Roof at the Metropolitan
by Richard Sasanow - Dec 7, 2025

When I read that the Met, in the program notes for James Robinson’s production of PORGY AND BESS, called it “a supremely American operatic masterpiece” I couldn’t help but think of Stephen Sondheim’s answer (perhaps apocryphal) when he was asked whether SWEENEY TODD was an opera or a musical: “If it’s done in a theatre, it’s a musical; if it’s in an opera house, it’s an opera.”
Video: RAGTIME Cast Performs Opening Number on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 4, 2025

To celebrate the hit revival of Broadway's Ragtime, Good Morning America visited the Vivian Beaumont Theatre for an exclusive performance of the musical's opening number. Watch as the company, including Joshua Henry, Nichelle Lewis, Brandon Uranowitz, and Caissie Levy, takes the stage for the rousing number.
THE LION KING to Return to Seattle at The Paramount Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 6, 2025

Disney’s The Lion King is coming to The Paramount Theatre stage.
Seattle Opera To Premiere Huang Ruo And James Schamus’ New Opera THE WEDDING BANQUET
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 22, 2025

Seattle Opera announced it will present the world premiere of The Wedding Banquet, a new comic opera by composer Huang Ruo and librettist James Schamus, inspired by Ang Lee’s beloved 1993 film.
Review: Spectacular Nadine Sierra Shines in Villazon’s Somnolent SONNAMBULA by Bellini
by Richard Sasanow - Oct 7, 2025

Sometimes great singing can save a bad production. It happened with the Met’s previous attempt at Bellini’s LA SONNAMBULA, which had been DOA at its premiere, despite a star, cast but rose like a phoenix when it was revived with other stars a year later. This time around, in the misguided, often silly take under the direction of the former tenor Rolando Villazon, soprano Nadine Sierra tried her considerable best as Amina to bring it to life but Villazon was a problem that her great singing couldn’t totally surmount.
Experience Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago at Cadillac Palace
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 3, 2025

Disney's THE LION KING runs at Cadillac Palace Theatre until October 19. Get ticket info and details about this must-see Chicago show!
The Met: Live In HD Season Opens With LA SONNAMBULA
by Stephi Wild - Oct 2, 2025

The Metropolitan Opera's new production of Bellini's La Sonnambula marks the beginning of the 19th season of The Met: Live in HD, with Nadine Sierra making her company role debut as Amina and Xabier Anduaga in his company role debut as Elvino
Video: THE LION KING Celebrates 11,000 Performances on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 23, 2025

The Lion King celebrated its 11,000th performance on Broadway over the weekend at the matinee on Saturday, September 20th. See footage here and learn more about The Lion King.

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 lighting design work. He won the Design Award at the Obie Awards for He Brought Her Heart Back in a Box. He received the Lighting Design award at The Hewes Awards for Cyrano de Bergerac, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, South Pacific, and The Lion King. Holder earned Best Lighting Design of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific and also Best Lighting Design at the Tony Awards for The Lion King. His work was honored with Outstanding Lighting Design at the Drama Desk Awards for The Violet Hour, Observe the Sons of Ulster, Movin' Out, and The Lion King. Additionally, he won Outstanding Lighting Design at The Lortel Awards for Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme. Holder also received Best Lighting Design from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Lion King.

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Videos