Robert Thomson

Robert Thomson is an Associate Professor of Lighting Design with over 40 years of experience as a renowned theater, opera, and dance lighting designer. He has worked internationally across Canada, the United States, and Europe, collaborating with prestigious institutions such as the National Ballet of Canada, Canadian Opera Company, Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, and companies including Lincoln Center Theater, American Ballet Theatre, and Seattle Opera.

• Specializes in precision, visual poetry, and dramaturgical impact in lighting design
• Resident Lighting Designer for The National Ballet of Canada (twelve seasons)
• Collaborated with directors like Robert Lepage, Antoni Cimolino, and Jonathan Miller

His career bridges academic expertise and practical application in lighting design, with a focus on psychological insight and collaborative creation. Awards include Canada’s largest theater prize (Siminovitch Prize), a Sterling Award, and four Dora Mavor Moore Awards. He is a 40-year member of the Associated Designers of Canada (IATSE ADC Local 659) and member of L’Association des professionnels des arts de la scène du Québec (APASQ).