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Technical Director & Lighting Designer · Since 2009

Chris Holland

Theatre equipment designer, lighting designer, and technical director with 20+ years across performing arts venues. Designs lighting, rigging, and automation systems that meet artistic intent with functionality, ease of use, and sustainability in mind.

MFA Lighting Design · Purdue BFA Theatre Design & Tech · Kentucky KCACTF Regional Respondent ASTC Full Member
Chris Holland — Technical Director & Lighting Designer, Dissonance Dance Theatre
2009
With DDT since
20+
Years in theatre design & production
4
IATSE Locals · Stagehand: 1 · 4 · 125 · 346
802
Local 802 Musician · Jazz trombone, NYC
01 · Role at Dissonance Dance Theatre

Technical Direction & Lighting Design

Chris Holland has provided technical direction and lighting design for Dissonance Dance Theatre since 2009 — anchoring the visual atmosphere of every DDT main-stage production across multiple seasons.

As a theatre equipment designer, Holland works to understand each project's specific creative goals and then designs equipment systems — lighting, rigging, automation — to meet those goals with functionality, ease of use, and sustainability at the center of the brief.

What Holland Delivers
  • Lighting design for DDT main-stage performances
  • Technical direction across rehearsal, tech, and run cycles
  • Equipment systems design — lighting, rigging, automation
  • Venue continuity — Atlas Performing Arts Center, Publick Playhouse, Folger Theatre, and beyond
02 · Career & Project Portfolio

Equipment Systems & Performance Spaces

Holland has been creating performing arts spaces since 2011 — currently at Theatre Projects, previously at Charcoalblue (through 2020) and Texas Scenic. His portfolio spans regional theatre, university venues, civic stages, and cruise-line entertainment.

Current · Equipment Systems Design
Theatre Projects

Holland currently designs theatre equipment systems at Theatre Projects — the international consulting firm for performing arts venue planning, design, and equipment integration. He continues to specialize in lighting, rigging, and automation system design with a focus on functionality, ease of use, and sustainability.

Previous · Through 2020
Charcoalblue

Designed equipment systems for a multitude of projects in performing arts venues across the United States.

  • Royal Caribbean Cruises
  • Stages Repertory Theatre · Houston
  • DC Studio Theatre
  • Round House Theatre · Bethesda, Maryland
Previous · Rigging & Lighting Installation
Texas Scenic

Managed the installation of rigging and lighting systems for more than a dozen projects across the eastern United States.

  • Ruth Caplin Theatre · University of Virginia
  • George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology · Baltimore
  • State Theatre · Culpepper, Virginia
Union Stagehand
IATSE Locals 1 · 4 · 125 · 346

Worked as a stagehand alongside multiple IATSE locals in venues ranging from horse parks to opera houses — bringing union-floor experience to every technical direction.

03 · Education & Affiliations

Credentials & National Service

Graduate
MFA Lighting Design
Purdue University
Undergraduate
BFA Theatre Design & Technology
University of Kentucky
National Service
KCACTF Regional Respondent
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival · Provides feedback to college and university students; recommends shows for the national festival
Professional Affiliation
ASTC Full Member
American Society of Theatre Consultants · Elevated from Associate to Full membership
Outside the Theatre
Jazz Trombone
Local 802 Musician · NYC. The musicianship that informs the timing of his lighting cues.