Kelli Zezulka
Biography
Kelli received a BA in theatre from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA. She then went on to train at LAMDA, where she specialised in lighting. Kelli has also completed an MA by research degree from University of Leeds, which concerned the history of lighting design at the Royal Court Theatre. She is in the final year of a PhD at University of Leeds, where she is examining how lighting designers use language to exercise agency in creative collaboration.
Three days after graduating from LAMDA, Kelli started at the Royal Court as lighting board operator and was promoted to lighting assistant twelve months later. She left the Court after three and a half years for a brief stint with the RSC, and is now based in Leeds where, until September 2010, she worked as a production electrician at West Yorkshire Playhouse. She now designs for small- and mid-scale theatre and opera, mostly in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Kelli is a dual UK/US citizen.
Recent credits: Dorian (Proper Job Theatre), Medusa (Proper Job Theatre), assistant lighting designer (LD: Matt Haskins) for Opera North fairytale season (The Snow Maiden, Hansel & Gretel and La Cenerentola), Cinderella (Northern Opera Group), You Forgot the Mince (Imagine if Theatre Company), Revenger's Tragedy (Wellfangled Theatre), The Maids, Playhouse Creatures, Miss Julie, Playboy of the Western World (Hedgepig Theatre Company), Othello (York Shakespeare Project), Somebody's Son, Bag Lady (Hidden Gems Productions), 59 Minutes to Save Christmas (Slung Low), Amsterdam (currently on tour), which was nominated for Best Studio Production in the Manchester Theatre Awards.
Previous productions
Current credits
| Show name | Type | Venue/Company | Role | Creative team | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Theatre | Rural venues, then touring | Lighting Designer |
Director: Juliet Ellis Set designer: Giulia Scrimieri |
19 Aug 2100 |
Previous productions
| Show name | Type | Venue/Company | Role | Creative Team | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Trial | Theatre |
Proper Job Theatre, then touring Proper Job Theatre |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Jamie Beale Set designer: Laura Davies |
Oct 2021 |
| Me, Myself and Misha | Dance |
Bramall Rock Void, Leeds Playhouse Terpsichoring |
Lighting Designer |
Choreographer: Ana Silverio |
Apr 2021 |
| Dorian | Theatre |
Square Chapel, Halifax, then touring Proper Job Theatre |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Chloe Whitehead Set designer: Laura Davies |
Oct 2019 |
| Medusa | Theatre |
Square Chapel, Halifax, then touring Proper Job Theatre |
Lighting Designer |
Director: James Beale Set designer: Laura Davies |
Oct 2017 |
| La Cenerentola | Opera |
Leeds Grand Theatre Opera North |
Assistant Lighting Designer |
Lighting designer: Matthew Haskins Director: Aletta Collins Set designer: Giles Cadle |
Feb 2017 |
| Hansel and Gretel | Opera |
Leeds Grand Theatre Opera North |
Assistant Lighting Designer |
Lighting designer: Matthew Haskins Director: Edward Dick Set designer: Giles Cadle |
Feb 2017 |
| The Snow Maiden | Opera |
Leeds Grand Theatre Opera North |
Assistant Lighting Designer |
Lighting designer: Matthew Haskins Director: John Fulljames Set designer: Giles Cadle |
Jan 2017 |
| Cinderella | Opera |
Duke Studios, Leeds Northern Opera Group |
Lighting Designer |
Director: David Ward |
Dec 2016 |
| You Forgot the Mince | Theatre |
Civic Theatre, Barnsley, then touring Imagine Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Stephen Whitson Set designer: Emma Williams |
Oct 2016 |
| Revenger's Tragedy | Theatre |
University of York Wellfangled Theatre |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Mark France Set designer: Simon Jarvis |
Dec 2015 |
| The Maids | Theatre |
Rural Arts Courthouse, Thirsk, then touring Hedgepig Theatre |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Andy Curry |
Jun 2015 |
| 59 Minutes to Save Christmas | Theatre |
Z-Arts, Manchester Slung Low |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Alan Lane |
Dec 2014 |
| Bag Lady | Theatre |
Hull Truck Theatre, then touring Hidden Gems Productions |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Amanda Huxtable |
Oct 2014 |
| Amsterdam | Theatre |
Contact Theatre, Manchester, then touring Afrique Performs |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Juliet Ellis Set designer: Giulia Scrimieri |
Oct 2014 |
| 59 Minutes to Save Christmas | Theatre |
Cast, Doncaster Slung Low |
Lighting Designer | Dec 2013 | |
| Bag Lady | Theatre |
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield, then touring Hidden Gems Productions |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Amanda Huxtable |
Oct 2013 |
| Colour Music | Environmental |
Leeds Carriageworks Light Night Leeds |
Lighting Designer | Oct 2013 | |
| Playboy of the Western World | Theatre |
Seven Arts, Leeds, then touring Hedgepig Theatre |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Andy Curry |
Jul 2013 |
| Miss Julie | Theatre |
Leeds Carriageworks, then touring Hedgepig Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Andy Curry |
Jan 2013 |
| Othello | Theatre |
York Theatre Royal Studio York Shakespeare Project |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Mark France Set designer: Simon Jarvis |
Oct 2012 |
| Playhouse Creatures | Theatre |
41 Monkgate, York Hedgepig Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Andy Curry |
Jul 2012 |
| Somebody's Son | Theatre |
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield, then touring Hidden Gems Productions |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Amanda Huxtable Set designer: Emma Williams |
May 2012 |
| The Leeds Music Hub | Corporate & Industrial | The Leeds Music Hub | Lighting Designer | May 2012 | |
| Narcissus and Echo | Opera | The Lowry, Salford, then touring | Lighting Designer |
Director: Chris Hill Set designer: Lucy Read |
Oct 2011 |
| Macbeth | Theatre |
41 Monkgate, York Mooted Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Mark France Set designer: Simon Jarvis |
Sep 2011 |
| Mela | Theatre |
West Yorkshire Playhouse Courtyard Theatre, then touring West Yorkshire Playhouse |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Alex Chisholm Set designer: Barney George |
Jul 2008 |
| Money Makes You Happy | Theatre |
Bridewell Theatre Baseless Fabric |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Joanna Turner |
Jul 2007 |
| Measure for Measure | Theatre |
Bridewell Theatre Baseless Fabric |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Joanna Turner |
Feb 2007 |
| Macbeth | Theatre |
Bridewell Theatre Baseless Fabric |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Joanna Turner |
Jan 2007 |
| The Memory of Water | Theatre |
Hen and Chickens Theatre Catlix |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Britten Barry |
Sep 2006 |
| An Experiment with An Air Pump | Theatre |
Royal Court Theatre, Jerwood Theatre Upstairs John Lewis Amateur Dramatics |
Lighting Designer | Jul 2006 | |
| Touch | Theatre |
White Bear Theatre Baseless Fabric |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Joanna Turner |
Nov 2005 |
| Rainbow Conversations | Theatre |
White Bear Theatre Baseless Fabric |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Joanna Turner |
Nov 2005 |
| Saved or Destroyed | Theatre |
Old Red Lion Theatre The Kondoleon Project |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Andrea Kantor |
Jul 2005 |
| Accrington Pals | Theatre |
MacOwan Theatre LAMDA |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Fiona Buffini Set designer: Richard Bullwinkle |
Oct 2003 |
| Handbag | Theatre |
MacOwan Theatre LAMDA |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Gari Jones Set designer: Richard Bullwinkle |
Oct 2003 |
| Translations | Theatre |
MacOwan Theatre LAMDA |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Joseph Blatchley Set designer: Richard Bullwinkle |
Oct 2003 |
| Deathtrap | Theatre | Heritage Theatre Company | Lighting Designer |
Director: Karey Faulkner |
Jul 2003 |
| Fur and Other Dangers | Theatre |
Source Theatre, Washington DC Source Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer | Jul 2003 |
Location availability:
- North America
- UK Provinces
- Worldwide
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| Email address | kelli.zezulka@thealpd.org.uk |
Theatre:
- Regional (Main House)
- Regional (Studio)
- Fringe / Pub Theatre
Opera:
- Large scale
- Small scale
Architectural:
- Commercial & Retail
Education:
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Training
News
Appearing here soon... a collection of articles from the Focus magazine archives.
Portfolio
Press quotes
Medusa
Medusa has amazing presence for a small scale studio show. A clever set by Laura Davies makes great use of steel mesh and mirrored cubes and a steel mesh backdrop. Cold, dramatic lighting by Kelli Zezulka gives the whole production an almost operatic feel.
Jo Beggs, The Reviews Hub
Like its titular inspiration, Medusa manages to be both beautiful and ugly, Kelli Zezulka’s soft lighting at turns complemented and contrasted by Tim Cunningham’s beautiful music and Martyn Wilson’s oft harsh projections.
Ruth Jepson, The Reviews Hub
Medusa is retold well, in a modern setting with hi-tech cues and visuals, in the first act by each character introducing themselves one by one. Laura Davies’ modern staging complements well with Kelli Zezulka’s lighting and Martyn Wilson’s projection.
Dawn Smallwood, The Reviews Hub
The Maids
Stepping into Hedgepig Theatre’s latest production of ‘The Maids’, you feel as though you’re entering a new and unfamiliar world. Strange sounds echo across the bare walls, shadows loom around us and two sisters explore the stage and play with guttural sniffs and animalistic movements. There is no room for relaxed pre-show conversation here, the audience sit still, immersed in an atmosphere so organic you can almost smell it, fearing they will interrupt the ceremony that fills the room.
Lily Luty, Nouse 06/06/2015
The audience enters the small dark and dimmed lighting auditorium where they are intimately greeted by two characters, the two sisters, who are at awkward ends with each other. The tension suggests this will be a dark play with anticipated twists and suspense. [...] The story is accompanied by Kelli Zezulka’s timely lighting[...], indicating that the story is deeper in intrigue and curiosity than it appears to the eye.
Dawn Smallwood, Public Reviews 31/05/2015
Lighting designer Kelli Zezulka’s removal of stage lighting with only four lights controlled by those onstage is a choice that also creates a darker, more sinister atmosphere for the audience.
Zoe Skipworth, Unknown Magazine 15/05/2015
Playhouse Creatures
Such incidental details add to the considerable clout of de Angelis’s superb script, brought to life by Curry’s astute direction, complemented by the soundscapes and original music of Alexander King and the lighting design (including candlelight) of Kelli Zezulka.
Charles Hutchinson, York Press 13/07/2012
Narcissus and Echo
The lighting by Kelli Zezulka creates an atmosphere that [is] only matched by the eeriness of the background score...
Christopher Faith, What's On Stage 06/10/2011
Macbeth
[the] two tableau scenes...have the harrowing quality of a Pieter Brueghel painting...
Charles Hutchinson, York Press 01/10/2011
Mela
Sikh philosopher Ranjit's moonlit riverside epiphany is especially beautifully rendered with the use of clear plastic and clever lighting.
Aisha Iqbal, City Lite, Yorkshire Evening Post 10/07/2008
...and Ranjit’s lakeside conversion is beautifully shown using torches and see-through plastic beneath a huge full moon.
Jeremy Kingston, The Times 04/07/2008
