Kevin Gawley

Associate Professor, Resident Scenic, Lighting and Projection Designer

About

Kevin D. Gawley is the scenic, lighting and projection designer for University theatre productions and selected special events. He teaches students both theory and practical application in scenic, lighting, and projection design and technology. Students have the opportunity to fully engage in the design process for five University shows per year. Their experience includes working from design concept to construction, light hang and focus, texture and paint, and technical rehearsals. Students work alongside other designers, directors and technical director, to fully implement the production on stage. In addition, Kevin maintains an ambitious design career, staying relevant in the field and garnering national recognition. Most recently, Kevin’s professional work at Lifeline Theatre in Chicago was awarded the 2017 Non-Equity Jeff Award for A Wrinkle in Time for Lighting Design. His guest design of Rabbit Hole at Taylor University earned him the 2017 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Award in Lighting Design. In addition, Kevin’s lighting design for Champaign Urbana Ballet’s Nutcracker was showcased on the cover of the 2017 Rosebrand Catalog. Over the span of his career, recognized critical acclaim includes seven additional Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations and two additional Jeff Awards for The Island of Doctor Moreau and Jane Eyre, and the After Dark Award for Strong Poison. His film credits include theatrical lighting design for Were the World Mine. Previous theatrical design and assistant design collaborations include Magik Theatre, The Goodman, Court, American Girl Productions, Lexington Children’s Theatre, Lifeline, Bailiwick, Organic, Porchlight, OperaModa, Blindfaith, Theatre on the Lake, Metropolis, Revels Chicago, Midwest Jewish, North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, and Taylor University. For 8 years, he spent summers in residence as the lighting designer for eight productions and eight different directors at the National High School Institute at Northwestern University. Kevin works to engage the local community whenever possible to broaden the UofL theatre program exposure. Kevin’s national presence, both onstage designs and as an active member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology provides technical and design students opportunities in their field. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Louisville, Kevin was Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire in Scenic and Lighting Design.