UT Lighting Faculty wins 2013 Jefferson Award
November 6th, 2013
Congratulations to UT Department of Theatre & Film Lecturer, Professor TJ Gerckens, for receiving the prestigious 2013 Jefferson Award for “Outstanding Lighting Design-Large Theatre” for his design for Mary Zimmerman’s “Metamorphoses” at the Lookingglass in Chicago last fall. Gerckens also designed the lighting for the original 2001 off-Broadway production of “Metamorphoses.” Interim Chair of the UT Department of Theatre & Film, Dr. Edmund Lingan adds, “TJ’s accomplishment raises the prestige and visibility of the department, the College of Communication and the Arts, and the University of Toledo.”
The Joseph Jefferson Awards, a.k.a The Jeff’ Awards, “fosters the artistic growth of area theatres and theatre artists and promotes educational opportunities, audience appreciation, and civic pride in the achievements of the theatre community. The Jeff Awards evaluates over 250 theatrical productions and holds two awards ceremonies annually.
T.J. Gerckens, who joined the UT Department of Theatre and Film faculty September 2012, is a professional lighting designer and member of United Scenic Artist, the union of professional designers in the entertainment field. He has worked professionally in dance, opera, and theatre lighting for over 17 years. He is best known for his collaborations with international playwright/director, Mary Zimmerman, in over 14 professional production that extend from Broadway, Off-Broadway, Metropolitan Opera, Chicago Opera Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Washington, D.C., Goodman and Court Theatres in Chicago.

Lawrence E. DiStasi and Anjali Bhimani in Lookingglass Theatre Company’s production of “Metamorphoses.”
The Theater Loop with Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
About the Jeff Awards | http://www.jeffawards.org/home/index.cfm
Tags: Theatre Film Faculty

Angela Riddel is
Promotions Specialist, College of Arts and Letters, The University of Toledo
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