American lighting designer Jean Rosenthal was born 16 March, 1912. Her work with the Martha Graham company and many other dance companies revolutionized the world of stage lighting through the introduction of standard booms in each wing for dance lighting. In short, contemporary American lighting design would not be what it is today without her innovations and ideas introduced into common use by designers around the globe.
Once called “a bloody electrician with notions” she was influential in raising the status of lighting to a central design element on par with scenery and costumes. While she did not do it alone, the development of the by line for “Lighting Designer” was made a reality in large part because of her work.
Access to some of her original paperwork is now freely available at The Lighting Archive.
Happy Birthday Ms. Rosenthal
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