Jacob Kaplan
Lighting Design
Photo By Connor Boyle
About Me
Hello!
My name is Jacob Kaplan. I am currently a senior at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music working towards a BFA in Lighting Design with a minor in Art History. I am originally from Dallas, Texas, where I continue to work as a designer in the DFW area. I have worked with various theater companies including North Texas Performing Arts, Outcry Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, JCC Performing Arts Space, and many others. I also work with system integration companies creating EOS startup files for installations. This past summer I was the Lighting Intern at the Cincinnati OperaOutside of theater I enjoy spending time outdoors where I find a lot of inspiration for my work. I also enjoy travelling and recently completed a study abroad in Paris focused on Art History.Contact me!
Email: jkaplighting@gmail.com
Instagram: Jacobk_08
BLINK 2026
CCM students create installation for BLINK 2026
posted: August 8, 2026
CCM students light up the largest mural in Ohio during Cincinnati's BLINK.Students from UC College-Conservatory of Music are creating a dazzling display for BLINK, the nation's largest public light and art festival. Illuminated by ArtsWave, BLINK transforms 30+ city blocks from Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine through Northern Kentucky on Oct. 8-11, 2026.Titled "Echoes of Light," the BLINK installation will be created by CCM Lighting Design and Technology students Jacob Kaplan, lighting designer; Lia Lubinsky, assistant designer; Lucy Dunn, assistant designer; and Jack Walter, programmer; with faculty advisor Sharon Huizinga, CCM Associate Professor of Lighting Design and Technology.They will illuminate the largest continuous mural in Ohio, created by artist Tristan Eaton in 2022, located at Elm Street Plaza. The mural honors the rich spectrum of music history in Cincinnati, honoring 10 music legends in a larger-than-life representation — standing at an estimated 18,000 sq ft. The project will honor these musicians by creating a dynamic lighting spectacle through a mashup of their music."BLINK marks my senior capstone at CCM and I could not be more excited to be embarking on this journey," Kaplan said. "I have always had a passion for music and theater and I look forward to bringing those two things together on a large scale for this project."This experience puts education into action for these students, who will have the opportunity to showcase their work to millions of people visiting the Queen City for the biennial event. In 2024, BLINK was experienced by over 2 million people.Full Article at the link below
CONCEPTUAL RENDER
Clay Paky 2023
Claypaky Lighting Fixtures Elevate Stage Productions to a Truly Professional Level for NTPA Collegiate Pursuits Troupe
posted: March 21, 2023
Jacob Kaplan has learned a valuable life lesson early in his burgeoning lighting design career: It never hurts to ask.Kaplan was thinking about what kind of lighting fixtures would help showcase the character of William Shakespeare as the rock star of his day in Collegiate Pursuits’ production of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy, “Something Rotten!” He made student loaner inquiries to several lighting companies in the Dallas area, including Claypaky’s US partner located just blocks from North Texas Performing Arts.“I expected to get a ‘no’ or no response at all from my outreach,” Kaplan recalls. “But, instead, Claypaky asked me what I wanted to use! We talked about my interest in the field, and they supplied several road cases of equipment for the show.” Currently, Kaplan is loading in his third show for Collegiate Pursuits featuring Claypaky fixtures.“We’re extremely grateful to Claypaky for providing these fixtures and collaborating with Collegiate Pursuits to create a real professional experience for our students,” adds Knott.“When Jacob reached out to us, we were excited to listen to his ideas,” says Julie Smith, managing director Group 1440/Claypaky US. “We want to help nurture these talented young artists, providing them with the technology and tools to make their ideas reality. It is a great partnership with the local theater that gives them a forum to develop their creativity and technical skills. When students and local communities are supported in this way, it benefits the future of our industry.”Contact: Davide Barbetta davide.barbetta@claypaky.itFull Article at the link below
BLINK - COMING SOON
Carmen - Assistant Lighting Designer
Salome - Assistant Lighting Designer
Ragtime - Lighting Designer
Love Letter - Lighting Designer
Moveable Feast: Illuminate - Lighting Designer
Student Choreographers Showcase - Associate Lighting Designer
Describe The Night - Lighting Designer
Hadestown - Lighting Designer
Great Comet - Lighting Designer
In The Green - Programmer
County Fair - Lighting Designer
Oliver - Lighting Designer
Drowsy Chaperone - Lighting Designer
Spring Awakening - Lighting Designer
Urinetown - Lighting Designer
Company - Lighting Designer
Peter and the Starcatcher - Lighting Designer
Something Rotten - Lighting Designer
Cabaret - Lighting Designer
Credits
Conductor: Ramón Tebar
Original Stage Director: Paul Curran
Stage Director: Anderson Nunnelly
Scenic & Costume Design: Gary McCann
Wig & Makeup Design: James Geier
Choreographer: Cervilio Amador
Chorus Master: Henri Venanzi
Stage Manager: Jennifer ShawLighting Team:
Lighting Design: Thomas C. Hase
Associate Lighting Design: Natalia Carlson
ALD: Jacob KaplanCincinnati OperaA co-production with Seattle Opera, Irish National Opera, and Opera Philadelphia.
Photos by Philip Groshong
Credits
Conductor: Ramón Tebar
Original Stage Director: Paul Curran
Stage Director: Anderson Nunnelly
Scenic & Costume Design: Gary McCann
Wig & Makeup Design: James Geier
Choreographer: Cervilio Amador
Chorus Master: Henri Venanzi
Stage Manager: Jennifer ShawLighting Team:
Lighting Design: Thomas C. Hase
Associate Lighting Design: Natalia Carlson
ALD: Jacob KaplanCincinnati OperaA co-production with Seattle Opera, Irish National Opera, and Opera Philadelphia.
Photos by Philip Groshong
Credits
Conductor: Robert Spano
Stage Director: Jose Maria Condemi
Scenic & Properties Design: Tim Wallace
Costume Design: Anita Yavich
Wig & Makeup Design: James Geier
Choreographer: Erina Noda
Stage Manager: Jennifer ShawLighting Team:
Lighting Design: Thomas C. Hase
Associate Lighting Design: Natalia Carlson
ALD: Jacob KaplanCincinnati Opera
Photos by Philip Groshong
Credits
Director: Bethany Bourland
Director: Kameron Knott
Music Director: Preston Page
Stage Manager: Dr. Teddi Martin
Costume Design: Jodi Sassano
Scenic Design: Melissa Winton
Scenic Design: Fritz Wicheren
Sound Design: Max Fetter
Lighting Design: Jacob KaplanProduced in partnership with the Plano Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Mark MullinoNorth Texas Performing Arts - Collegiate Pursuits
Photos by Jodi Sassano
Credits
Performance by Poiesis Quartet
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
ALD: Ryan Peerless
Programmer: Lia LubinskyUniversity Of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music
Photos by Jacob Kaplan & Kevin Lawson
Credits
University of Cincinnati Foundation, CCMpower, and the College-Conservatory of Music Present:
Moveable Feast: IlluminatePerformance by CCM Philharmonia
Romanian Rhapsody No.1, composed by George Enescu
Music Director & Conductor: Mark GibsonLighting Design: Jacob Kaplan (BFA '27)
Lighting Design: Kevin Lawson
Media Design: Lucas Inman (MFA '26)
Technical Director: Billy Blank (BFA '26)In-Kind Supporters:
Mainlight
German Light Products
Photos by Connor Boyle
Credits
Director: Shauna Steele
PSM: Katie Mogren
Head of Sound: Jacob Gers
Costume Design: Sadie Holt
Costume Design: Kyle Williams
Costume Design: Erin Donnelly
Costume Design: Jayna FryBone Deep
Choreographer: Maddie WeberOde
Choreographer: Addie McCarterLighting Team:
Lighting Design: Miya Chambers
Associate Lighting Designer: Ella Rosoff
Associate Lighting Designer: Jacob Kaplan
ALD: Ryan Perless
PE: Jacob Kaplan
APE: Gavin Barrett
Programmer: Lia LubinskyUniversity Of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music
Photos by Kat Wolf & Dale Pickett
Credits
Director: Becca Johnson-Spinos
PSM: Elizabeth Cantrell
Scenic Design: Kennedy Smith
Sound Design: Jason Johnson-Spinos
Costume Design: Kathy Wright
Lighting Design: Jacob KaplanOutcry Professional Theatre
Photos by Jenn Garcia
Credits
Director: Bethany Bourland
Director: Kameron Knott
Music Director: Preston Page
Stage Manager: Dr. Teddi Martin
Costume Design: Jodi Sassano
Scenic Design: Melissa Winton
Scenic Design: Fritz Wicheren
Sound Design: Max Fetter
Lighting Design: Jacob KaplanProduced in partnership with the Plano Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Scott EckertLighting Equipment Provided by ACME - Group 1440North Texas Performing Arts - Collegiate Pursuits
Photos By Jodi Sassano & AKA Photography
Credits
Director: Bethany Bourland
Director: Kameron Knott
Music Director: Vahn Phollurxa
Stage Manager: Dr. Teddi Martin
Costume Design: Jodi Sassano
Scenic Design: Melissa Winton
Scenic Design: Fritz Wicheren
Sound Design: Max Fetter
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
Lighting Design: Jasper WolfLighting Equipment Provided by ACME - Group 1440North Texas Performing Arts - Collegiate Pursuits
Photos By Jodi Sassano
Credits
Director: Rachel Stevens
PSM: Lily Landoch
Scenic Design: Anna Camerer
Sound Design: Kaitlin Barnett Proctor
Costume Design: Lauren WootenLighting Team:
Lighting Design: Abigail Fluck
ALD 1: Matti Andrews
ALD 2: Rob Chalk
PE: Adam Markus
Programmer: Jacob KaplanUniversity Of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music
Photos By Mark Lyons, Lyons Photography, Inc.
Credits
Producer: Ben Wolfe
Director: Jacob Brent
Scenic Design: Matthew Imhoff
Lighting Design: Christian Specht
Sound Design: Olivia Lawson
Costume Design: Kathy McGill
Wig & Makeup Design: Madison Webber
Props Design: Madisen FrazierSoutheastern Summer Theatre Institute
Photos By Ben Wolf
Credits
Director: Bethany Bourland
Technical Director: Chris Neal
Scenic Design: Rick Stone
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
Sound Design: Max Fetter
Props Master: Rebecca Tudor
Costume Design: Bethany Bourland
Costume Design & AD: Kameron KnottNorth Texas Performing Arts - Collegiate Pursuits
Photos By Karen Fish, Tamara Wright, and Jodi Sassano
Credits
Director: Bethany Bourland
Scenic Design: Shane Wade
Scenic Design: Rick Stone
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
Costume Design: Becky Gould
Costume Design: Alyssa Martinson
Props Master: Lyz MillerNorth Texas Performing Arts - Collegiate Pursuits
Photos By Rob Webster
Credits
Director: Bethany Bourland
Scenic Design: Shane Wade
Scenic Design: Jon Sauter
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
Costume Design: Stefanie Lewis
Props Master: Francine Forman
Foley Design: Jacob KaplanNorth Texas Performing Arts - Collegiate Pursuits
Photos By Fernando Martinez
Credits
Theoretical DesignScenic Design: Sophia Long
Costume Design: Lily Erera
Props Design: Maddi Myer
Sound Design: Zack Papatzanakis
Lighting Design: Jacob KaplanSoutheastern Summer Theatre Institute
Credits
Director: Bethany Bourland
Asst. Director: Kameron Knott
Scenic Design: Jon Sauter
Scenic Design: Taylor Skinner
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
Costume Design: Susie Preissler
Costume Design: Elizabeth Hamilton
Sound Design: Max FetterNorth Texas Performing Arts - Collegiate PursuitsSpecial Thanks:
Group 1440 - ClayPaky
Photos By Rob Webster
Credits
Director: Kameron Knott
Associate Director: DeAnna Stone
Asst. Director: Bethany Bourland
Scenic Design: Taylor Skinner
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
Costume Design: Heather Hangen
Asst. Costume Design: Elizabeth Hamilton
Sound Design: Max Fetter
Makeup Designer: Rachel DalleyNorth Texas Performing Arts - Collegiate PursuitsSpecial Thanks:
Group 1440 - ClayPaky
Photos By Rocco Pesano
Credits
Director: Bethany Bourland
Director: Kameron Knott
Scenic Design: Jon Sauter
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
Asst. Lighting Design: Garret Payne
Costume Design: Susan Petty
Sound Design: Chris NealNorth Texas Performing Arts - Collegiate PursuitsSpecial Thanks:
Group 1440 - ClayPaky
Photos By Karen Fish
Credits
Director: Bethany Bourland
Director: Kameron Knott
Scenic Design: Marty Stratton
Scenic Design: Oliver Wade
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
Costume Design: Jodi Sassano
Sound Design: Max FetterNorth Texas Performing Arts - Collegiate PursuitsProduced in Partnership with Plano Symphony OrchestraSpecial Thanks:
Group 1440 - ClayPaky
Production Resources Group
Digital Resources - ETC
Photos By Jodi Sassano and Karen Fish
Credits
Director: Becca Johnson-Spinos
Scenic Design: Steve McMurray
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
Costume Design: Marisa Saenz
Board Op: Marwa HabibiOutcry Youth Theatre
Photos By Amy K. Abney, Kristen Barnes, Marcy Bogner, and Jason Johnson-Spinos
Credits
Director: Kameron Knott
Director: Riley Madlock
Scenic Design: Marty Stratton
Scenic Design: Taylor Skinner
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
ALD/Programmer: Tyler Bialowas
Costume Design: Shannon Hauser
Costume Design: Sophia Bock
Sound Design: Max FetterNorth Texas Performing Arts - AcademyProduced in Partnership with Plano Symphony Orchestra
Photos By Amy K. Abney
Credits
Director: Becca Johnson-Spinos
Stage Manager: Elizabeth Cantrell
Scenic Design: Steve McMurray
Scenic Design: Nathan Blasingame
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
Costume Design: Kathy Wright
Media Design: Jason Johnson-SpinosOutcry TheatreSpecial Thanks:
Group 1440 - ACME
Photos By Kathy Wright
THEORETICAL DESIGN
Winspear Opera House - Dallas Texas
Jacob Kaplan
Drafting By: Jacob Kaplan
Credits
Playwrights-in-Residence:
Matt Webster & Taylor FerreraDirector: Bethany Bourland
Director: Kameron Knott
Stage Manager: Kat Raehpour
Scenic Design: Marty Stratton
Scenic Painter: Melissa A Winton
Lighting Design: Jacob Kaplan
Sound Design: Channing Black
Costume Design: Jodi SassanoNorth Texas Performing Arts - Collegiate PursuitsSpecial Thanks:
Group 1440 - ACME
Bobby Harrell - Vari-Lite
Rob Crane - ETC
Production Resources Group
Photos By Jodi Sassano