BIOGRAPHY
Joe D’Emilio is a New York based Lighting Designer, Project Manager, and Technical Director with 18 years of experience working in the live event production industry. He has freelanced as a Lighting Designer in theatre, concerts, opera and dance, as well as multiple nightlife venues and clubs around New York City.
He first began working in events during his time living in San Francisco, where he was an LD and on-site Design Manager for the company Got Light from 2008-2016. During his time he has managed and assisted with the setup and execution of numerous high-profile events all over the Bay Area. These include VIP Weddings and parties, Super Bowl 50 Host Committee functions, and Annual Fundraising Galas for the SF Symphony, SF Opera, SF Ballet and almost every museum in San Francisco.
Additionally, Joe has 10 years of experience touring as a Lighting Designer and Technical Director for the Vegas-based company Cirque Mechanics. That job took him to venues all over the United States and internationally. He has design credit on two original productions -- “42ft” (2018) and “Zephyr” (2022). Both shows had multi-week runs Off-Broadway at the New Victory Theatre in NYC.
Joe moved to NYC in late 2016 and continued to freelance with various production companies and worked as an LD for nightlife venues. In 2022 he decided to take a full-time position as a Project Manager at Wizard Studios. Since then, he has overseen some of Wizard’s biggest events for top-tier clients in venues such as 1 World Trade Center, Rockefeller Plaza, Webster Hall, Liberty Island, William Vale Hotel, and Tavern on the Green. He also managed several events for the Harris/Walz 2024 campaign including the VP announcement in Philadelphia.
Joe is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Technical Theatre and Design from San Francisco State University. He currently lives in Queens with his girlfriend Mary Ellen and their cat Tully.
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
AFTERSHOCKS
2019 NYTF WInterfest Best Lighting Design Award
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
2018 Theatre Bay Area Award
2018 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Nomination
LIZZIE, RAY OF LIGHT THEATRE
2016 Theatre Bay Area Award
2015 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Nomination
TRIASSIC PARQ, RAY OF LIGHT THEATRE
2014 Theatre Bay Area Award
2014 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Nomination
THE WILD PARTY, RAY OF LIGHT THEATRE
2016 Theatre Bay Area Nomination
WEST SIDE STORY, BROADWAY BY THE BAY
2015 Theatre Bay Area Nomination
2015 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Nomination
THE FULL MONTY, CONTRA COSTA CIVIC THEATRE
2015 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Nomination
YEAST NATION, RAY OF LIGHT THEATRE
2014 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Nomination