Kevin Lawson Lighting Designer

Kevin Lawson earned a BFA in lighting design from The Theatre School at DePaul University. This led him to an early career in theatre, working as an assistant/associate and designer in regional, off-broadway and Broadway theaters. After a serendipitous career shift to broadcast television, he has spent the last 18 years as a lighting designer, director and/or programmer on more than 200 televised productions.

Kevin has been present at some of the benchmarks in the downfall of Western civilization: Britney and Madonna’s kiss, Janet’s wardrobe malfunction, roasts of Charlie Sheen and Donald Trump, Woodstock ’99 and Justin Bieber in 3D.

However, he has also had the honor and privilege to work on events like Mandela Day, Live Earth and the Election Night Rallies and Acceptance Speeches for President Obama in 2012 and 2008.

Kevin received Live Design’s Excellence Award – Live for Broadcast – for the Election Night Rally in 2008 and NBC’s “Hairspray Live!” He was nominated for Emmy Awards for “2012 CNN Heroes”, “The 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony” and “The Wiz Live!”

Other career highlights include:

HBO 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concerts; MTV Video Music Awards; MTV Movie Awards; Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows; PBS’ Soundstage; Live at Lincoln Center and Great Performances; concerts featuring Britney Spears, N’Sync, Tim McGraw, Aerosmith, Alicia Keys, Metallica, Dixie Chicks, J-Lo, Jay-Z, U2, Paul Simon, Garth Brooks and Usher; comedy specials featuring Ellen, Will Farrell, Robin Williams and Chris Rock; two Superbowl Halftime Shows; 7 Miss Americas; 13 Comedy Central Roasts; and 17 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions ceremonies. Kevin was the Lighting Designer for 4 seasons of “Gospel of Music with Jeff Majors” on TV One, “Signing of the Stars” for University of Michigan and the Turner Networks Upfront Presentations.

When he’s not working, Kevin and his lovely wife bask in this golden age of Nerdom as happy Michiganders.