Sven Ortel Headshot

Sven Ortel

Get Sven Ortel Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Sven Ortel BIO

Sven grew up in Cologne, Germany, where he lit small-scale theatre shows after high school, complemented with lighting for movies, advertisements, and music videos. His subsequent studies of theatrical lighting design in London led him to develop a keen interest in digital technologies and their potential for the live arts.

In 2001 he joined up with Dick Straker and his company mesmer to explore and further the use of imagery and projection in the live arts. For the National Theatre, London mesmer provided realization and design services for over 20 productions and established a video department which introduced technologies and techniques that have become de-facto standard today. Together with Straker he also conceived the video system and process that realized the technologically groundbreaking musical The Woman in White in the west end and Broadway in 2004.

In the last 17 years Ortel’s work has been seen all over the world. His range of collaborators comprises some of the most established and celebrated artists ranging from directors Michael Blakemore, Simon McBurney, Gregory Boyd, Matthias Hartman, Jonathan Kent, David Leveaux, Trevor Nunn, Deborah Warner, Bart Sher, Julie Taymor and Francesca Zambello to choreographer Helgi Tomasson, conductor Valery Gergiev and set designer George Tsypin.

With the UK company complicite, namely 2005‘s Measure For Measure and 2008‘s A Disappearing Number he achieved new degrees of integration between lighting, imagery, live video and physical sets. Both shows also toured world wide to universal acclaim. Other notable projects include Swan Lake for San Francisco Ballet, the re-staging of the Kirov Ring Cycle under maestro Valerie Gergiev in St.Petersburg, Russia and the Royal Opera House as well as the musical Rebecca in Austria, Switzerland and Germany, Disney’s Newsies at the Papermill Playhouse and Broadway, the off-Broadway production of Carrie and Julie Taymor’s Midsummer Night’s Dreamat TFANA’s new home in downtown Brooklyn.

Other Broadway design credits include Newsies, Jumpers, Faith Healer, Deuce, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Woman On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown and Wonderland .

To foster the future of his profession, Sven mentors young projection designers, gives master classes and has created an online resource for projection design (www.projctn.com). Sven lives in Austin, TX where he leads the MFA program in Integrated Media for live performance at the University of Texas at Austin and continues to push the boundaries media integration and visual storytelling.

Sven Ortel STAGE CREDITS

Sven Ortel Productions

 
[Broadway, 2023]
Projection Designer
 
[Broadway, 2023]
Projection Design
 
[Broadway, 2021] [Replacement]
Projection Design[Replacement]
 
[Regional (US), 2019]
Projection Designer
 
[San Francisco (Regional), 2017]
Projection Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Production Design
 
[Boston, 2015]
Projection Designer
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Projection Designer
 
[Regional (US), 2011]
Projection Designer
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Projection Designer
Video Designer
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Projection Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2009]
Projection Designer
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Projection and Video Designer
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Video and Projection Designer
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Video Designer
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Video Designer

Sven Ortel Videos

Sven Ortel News

SOME LIKE IT HOT, LEOPOLDSTADT & More Win 2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards

The Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers and national publications, is pleased to announce the winners of the 72nd Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards, honoring the 2022-2023 Broadway and Off-Broadway season. Find out who won here!

ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME Was Fully Authorized by Britney Spears

Once Upon a One More Time, the new musical featuring the music of Britney Spears, is now in previews on Broadway. BroadwayWorld has learned that the musical is fully authorizaed by Spears herself, and was signed by the singer in 2022, after her conservatorship ended.

PARADE Will Perform At White House Event In Celebration Jewish American Heritage Month

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will welcome Parade composer Jason Robert Brown and stars Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond to a White House event celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month. Learn more about how to tune in here!

Video: Watch Rehearsal Footage of 'Crazy' from ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME, Beginning Previews Tonight!

Watch rehearsal footage of 'Crazy' from Once Upon a One More Time, beginning previews tonight!

Broadway By Design: Dane Laffrey and Sven Ortel Bring PARADE from Page to Stage

We continue Broadway By Design with the creatives from the most acclaimed musical revival of the season, Parade- Scenic Designer Dane Laffrey and Projection Designer Sven Ortel.

Recap Tony Awards Eligibility Decisions of the 2022-23 Season

The Tony Awards Administration Committee has been meeting all year to discuss the eligibility of the 2022-23 Broadway productions all leading up to Tuesdays big announcement... the Tony nominations.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK; SOME LIKE IT HOT; & More Lead Nominations for Outer Critics Circle Awards

The Outer Critics Circle has announced the nominees for the 72nd Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards, honoring the 2022-2023 Broadway and Off-Broadway season. Leading the pack with the most honors of the season is the Broadway musical New York, New York, with twelve nominations. Check out the full list of nominations here!

Video: Watch the Trailer for ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME on Broadway

Watch the trailer for Once Upon a One More Time on Broadway!

Tony Awards Administration Committee Determines Eligibility for 2022-2023 Season

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met to confirm the eligibility status of seven Broadway productions for the 2022-2023 season.

Brooke Dillman, Ryann Redmond, Tess Soltau, and More Complete Broadway Cast Of ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME

The complete cast has been announced for the Broadway premiere of Once Upon A One More Time, the new musical comedy that flips the script on famous fairytales, powered by the music of Grammy Award-winning international pop icon Britney Spears. Learn more about who is starring in the production here!

Review Roundup: PARADE Opens On Broadway Starring Ben Platt, Micaela Diamond & More

The new Broadway production of Parade starring Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond, directed by two-time Tony nominee Michael Arden, opens tonight on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Read reviews for the production!

Jennifer Simard & Adam Godley To Join ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME on Broadway

Additional cast has been announced for the Broadway premiere of Once Upon A One More Time, the new musical comedy that flips the script on famous fairytales, powered by the music of Grammy Award-winning international pop icon Britney Spears. 

PARADE Announces General Rush, Standing Room, & Digital Lottery Policies

Seaview and Ambassador Theatre Group Productions have announced general rush, standing room, and digital lottery policies as previews begin Tuesday at 8 PM at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th Street) for the eagerly anticipated new Broadway production of Parade starring Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond.

Briga Heelan, Justin Guarini, and Aisha Jackson Will Lead ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME

The new Broadway musical Once Upon a One More Time, powered by the music of Grammy Award-winning international pop icon Britney Spears, will star Briga Heelan as Cinderella, Justin Guarini as Prince Charming, and Aisha Jackson as Snow White. Learn more about the show here!

Up on the Marquee: PARADE

Rehearsals are now underway for the new Broadway production of Parade starring Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond. Check out photos of the new marquee at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre!

Howard McGillin, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and More Join PARADE; Full Casting Announced!

Complete casting has been announced as rehearsals begin today for the new Broadway production of Parade starring Tony Award® winner Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond. Learn more about who will be starring in the revival here!

Video: Watch Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond Sing 'This Is Not Over Yet' in PARADE Broadway Promo

Watch Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond sing 'This Is Not Over Yet' in a promo for Parade, which is heading to Broadway in February!

New York City Center's PARADE Will Transfer to Broadway Starring Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond

Following a sold-out run last fall at New York City Center, Tony Award® winner Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond will bring their acclaimed performances to Broadway in two-time Tony nominated director Michael Arden’s new production of Parade with book by two-time Tony Award winner, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Academy Award® winner Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by 21-time Tony Award-winning legend Harold Prince.

Britney Spears Musical ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME Will Open on Broadway in Spring 2023

Once Upon A One More Time, powered by the music of Grammy Award-winning pop icon Britney Spears, will open on Broadway this summer at the Marquis Theatre in New York City. Helmed by internally acclaimed, Drama Desk-nominated Director & Choreographers Keone & Mari Madrid (Beyond Babel, Karate Kid), the musical begins previews Saturday, May 13, 2023, and celebrates its opening night on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

COMPANY, SIX & More Win 2022 Drama Desk Awards - See the Full List!

Winners for the 66th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced today. See the full list here! This year’s Drama Desk Awards will take place at Sardi’s Restaurant on June 14th. See who was honored from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway.

Sven Ortel FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Outstanding Video or Projection Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Parade , Outstanding Projection Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Thoughts of a Colored Man Outstanding Projection Design (Drama Desk Awards) for A Midsummer Night's Dream and Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Newsies the Musical .

Get Sven Ortel Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL

Recommended For You