Biography

Leo Lei is an award winning Lighting, Sound, and Projection designer, as well as a dedicated educator. Holding an M.F.A. degree in Lighting Design from Kent State University, Leo has been sharing his expertise with students for many years, he started his teaching career at Santa Fe University of Art and Design (NM) with Lighting Design and Technologies, and had previously served as Program Director of Entertainment of Design and Technology, and Associate Professor of Lighting and Sound in the School of Stage and Screen at Western Carolina University (NC). Leo's design credits include notable productions such as Into the Woods, Beauty and The Beast, Twelfth Night, Noises Off, Cabaret, Company, Footloose, Grease, and  Mousetrap, among others. His recent media design for This Ability was featured on Chicago Children's Theatre's virtual stage, while his recent sound and projection design for Jabari Dreams of Freedom was showcased at New Victory Theatre Off-Broadway in New York. Leo is a versatile designer who is sought after not only for his theatrical work, but also for his ability to design lighting and sound for corporate events, concerts and music festivals internationally. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including 1st Place of Graduate Lighting Design Award for Side Show in the 67th Southeast Theatre Conference (SETC), and the Best Lighting Design of a Play or Musical from Broadway World Central New York Awards in 2022, and 2023.