Ken Billington
Ken Billington is a highly acclaimed lighting designer with over 50 years of experience in the theatre industry. Born in 1944 in Long Island, New York, Billington attended Hofstra University where he studied theatre and lighting design.
Date of Birth: October 29, 1946 (79)
Birth Place: White Plains, NY, USA
Latest News on Ken Billington:
![[title of show]](https://cloudimages2.broadwayworld.com/myshows/%5Btitle_of_show%5D-311616-6535-1743836235.jpg?width=500&height=auto)
BIO
Ken Billington is a highly acclaimed lighting designer with over 50 years of experience in the theatre industry. Born in 1944 in Long Island, New York, Billington attended Hofstra University where he studied theatre and lighting design. After graduating, he began his career as a lighting designer in the Off-Broadway scene in the 1960s, eventually making his way to Broadway.
Billington has designed the lighting for over 100 Broadway productions, including the original productions of Sweeney Todd, Chicago, and The Drowsy Chaperone. He has been nominated for the Tony Award for Best Lighting Design 21 times, winning three times for his work on The Elephant Man, Sweeney Todd, and Chicago.
In addition to his work on Broadway, Billington has designed the lighting for numerous productions in regional theatres across the United States and internationally. He has also worked extensively in opera, designing the lighting for productions at the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera.
Billington’s work has also been featured in film and television. He designed the lighting for the 1978 film version of The Wiz, starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, as well as the lighting for the 1982 television production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds.
Despite his extensive career, Billington remains humble and dedicated to his craft.
Billington’s impact on the theatre world extends beyond his own work as a designer. He has been an advocate for the use of energy-efficient lighting in the theatre industry and has worked to educate others on the importance of sustainability in theatrical design. He has also been a mentor to many young lighting designers, including Tony Award winner Natasha Katz.
In recognition of his contributions to the theatre industry, Billington was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 2017. He joins an esteemed group of theatre professionals, including actors, directors, and designers, who have made significant contributions to the American theatre.
Billington’s legacy as a lighting designer continues to inspire generations of theatre artists. His dedication to his craft, his commitment to sustainability, and his willingness to mentor others have made him a beloved figure in the theatre community. As he stated in his Tony Award acceptance speech for Chicago, “I’m just a lighting designer, but I’m very proud to be part of this community.”
Photos
Productions
![[title of show]](https://cloudimages2.broadwayworld.com/logos/117423logo.jpg?format=auto&height=70)
Awards and Nominations
Ken Billington, New York, New York
Ken Billington, New York, New York
Ken Billington, New York, New York
Ken Billington, Chaplin: The Musical
Ken Billington, Chaplin: The Musical
Ken Billington, The Scottsboro Boys
Ken Billington, Sondheim on Sondheim
Ken Billington, Sunday in the Park with George
winner
Ken Billington, Sunday in the Park With George
Ken Billington, Sunday in the Park with George
Ken Billington, The Drowsy Chaperone
winner
Ken Billington, Chicago
Ken Billington, Chicago
winner
Ken Billington, Chicago
Ken Billington, Grind
Ken Billington, End of the World
Ken Billington, Foxfire
Ken Billington, Foxfire
Ken Billington, Sweeney Todd
Ken Billington, Sweeney Todd
Ken Billington, Working
Ken Billington, The Visit
Videos
Video: Whitney Leavitt Gets Tattoo to Celebrate Breaking CHICAGO Ticket Record
by Michael Major - 2026-03-18 16:25:40
Video: Watch Jessica Vosk & Kelli Barrett Sing New BEACHCES Songs
by Michael Major - 2026-02-13 12:19:20
Video: Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett Sing 'Wish I Could Be Like You' From BEACHES
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2026-01-22 11:23:52
Video: Watch Jacqueline B. Arnold Sing 'When You're Good to Mama' in CHICAGO
by Michael Major - 2025-08-28 14:01:40
Video: Bella Coppola Performs 'Let Me Be Your Star' in SMASH on Broadway
by Michael Major - 2025-05-28 15:59:52
Video: Watch Robyn Hurder and Cast Perform 'Let's Be Bad' From SMASH
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-22 14:02:21
Video: Robyn Hurder and SMASH Cast Perform 'Let Me Be Your Star' on THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-20 11:16:34
Video: Watch SMASH Star Bella Coppola Perform the National Anthem at the Mets Game
by Michael Major - 2025-05-19 11:38:20
Video: SMASH Cast Performs 'I Never Met A Wolf Who Didn't Love To Howl' on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-16 14:15:09
Video: Watch Caroline Bowman Sing 'They Just Keep Moving The Line' in SMASH
by Michael Major - 2025-05-14 15:40:23
Video: Ashley Graham Talks Manifesting Her Broadway Dreams on Her Vision Board
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-09 11:37:00
Video: Watch Robyn Hurder & Caroline Bowman Sing 'Don't Forget Me' From SMASH
by Michael Major - 2025-03-10 14:44:41
Video: Robyn Hurder Sings 'Let Me Be Your Star' From SMASH on Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-02-04 10:00:20
Photos & Video: LEFT ON TENTH Starring Julianna Margulies & Peter Gallagher
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2024-10-22 13:56:43
Video: Alyssa Milano Takes Her First Bow In CHICAGO On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - 2024-09-16 22:38:59
Video: Cast of BEACHES THE MUSICAL on their Personal Connection to the Story
by Joshua Wright - 2024-06-11 15:34:51
News
by Stephi Wild - Oct 20, 2026
Bianca Marroquín returns to the role of Roxie Hart in Broadway's longest-running American musical at the Ambassador Theatre, bringing over 4,000 performances in the role.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 16, 2026
The 10th anniversary tour of Sara Bareilles' Broadway musical will present WAITRESS at Bass Concert Hall with local child actor Aliyah Thigpen playing the role of Lulu.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 14, 2026
The 10th anniversary tour of WAITRESS, featuring music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, will open the Broadway at the Buddy Holly Hall Series. The production is the first Broadway musical to feature four women in the four top creative team spots.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 13, 2026
The 10th anniversary tour of WAITRESS, featuring music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, opens at the James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago through October 18, with local performer Vera Grey cast as Lulu.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 13, 2026
The Broadway musical CHICAGO extends its Ambassador Theatre run with Reece Weaver continuing in the role of Roxie Hart for a final two-week engagement.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 8, 2026
The Broadway company of CHICAGO will celebrate 30 years on Broadway this November, with a special star-studded one-night-only event, featuring original company members Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 6, 2026
Ballet dancer Tiler Peck will moderate a post-show discussion with Reece Weaver, a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and Netflix personality, following a performance of the long-running Broadway musical.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 5, 2026
Big League Productions' national tour of Meredith Willson's five-time Tony Award-winning musical will play MPAC in Morristown on October 16 and 17. Elliott Andrews and Elizabeth D'Aiuto star as Harold Hill and Marian Paroo, with direction by Matt Lenz and choreography by Joshua Bergasse.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 1, 2026
The new musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty will open at London's Theatre Royal Haymarket with direction and choreography by Susan Stroman, starring Tiler Peck and Julian Ovenden.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 30, 2026
Broadway's longest-running American musical, Chicago, will perform at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre's Grand Theatre for a limited engagement of 14 shows, marking the production's first run in India.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 29, 2026
You can now get a first look at new production photos of the Broadway musical Waitress! The tour will continue on to 40+ cities including Austin, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 29, 2026
Emmy Award honoree Kelli Finglass, who has directed the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for 35 years, will deliver the opening monologue at a Broadway performance of CHICAGO.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 24, 2026
The Broadway production of CHICAGO will extend the run of former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Reece Weaver in the role of Roxie Hart at the Ambassador Theatre due to demand.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 18, 2026
The Broadway musical featuring music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles will perform at Hartford's The Bushnell. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 25.
by Brett Cullum - Sep 15, 2026
She’s wonderful to play. I really find some things about her that are so relatable, and that’s what I try to really do for this new generation of people coming to see the show.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 8, 2026
The 10th anniversary tour of WAITRESS, featuring music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, will launch the Broadway in Peoria Series at the Peoria Civic Center's Prairie Home Alliance Theater.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 3, 2026
Chicago will welcome back Tony and Grammy winner Natasha Yvette Williams in the role of 'Matron Mama Morton' and Red Concepción in the role of 'Amos Hart.'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 19, 2026
Single tickets for the 10th anniversary tour of WAITRESS went on sale for its engagement at Proctors in Schenectady, featuring music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 17, 2026
Single tickets for the 10th anniversary tour of WAITRESS went on sale for its run at Broadway In Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre, featuring music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 3, 2026
Single tickets for the 10th anniversary tour of WAITRESS will go on sale for two performances at the Peoria Civic Center, kicking off the Ameren Illinois Broadway in Peoria Series.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for New York, New York, Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for New York, New York, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for New York, New York, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Chaplin: The Musical, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Chaplin: The Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys, Sondheim on Sondheim (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Sondheim on Sondheim, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Sunday in the Park With George, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Drowsy Chaperone, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Chicago, Best Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Chicago, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Chicago, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Grind, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for End of the World, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Foxfire, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Foxfire, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Working and Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for The Visit.
Ken Billington has won several prestigious awards for his work in lighting design. He received the Outstanding Lighting Design award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Sunday in the Park With George. Additionally, he won the Outstanding Lighting Design award from the Drama Desk Awards for Chicago. He also earned the Best Lighting Design award at the Tony Awards for Chicago.
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