Illuminating our stages and our imaginations, here are the 2025 Orlando Sentinel honorees for best lighting design as selected by theater critic Matthew J. Palm.
Although it’s impossible for one person to see every local production, as the Orlando Sentinel’s theater critic, each year I see a broad array of dramas, comedies and musicals. The individuals selected for this 2025 theatrical honor roll, presented here alphabetically, elevated Central Florida’s theatrical arts. Go to OrlandoSentinel.com/entertainment to see the honorees in other categories, and check back on Dec. 22 to learn the Critic’s Pick in this category.
Derek Critzer was lighting designer for the Theater West End production of “Once.” (Courtesy Jose Carlos Rivera via Theater West End)
Derek Critzer
‘Once’ Theater West End
IN NOVEMBER: Derek Critzer used the power of lighting to keep the focus on his principal characters, highlight the contributions of the musician-actors and emphasize the melancholy yet hopeful vibe of the musical “Once.” This is Critzer’s 12th appearance in the year-end honors across multiple categories.
Marco DiGeorge was the lighting designer for the Theater on the Edge production of “The Sunset Limited,” with Daniel Bentley and Allan Whitehead. (Courtesy Nikki Marrow via Theater on the Edge)
Marco DiGeorge
‘The Sunset Limited’ Theater on the Edge
IN JULY: Marco DiGeorge’s lights realistically lit the dingy apartment that is the setting for “The Sunset Limited,” but also helped remind the audience this play had one foot in the realm of fantasy, as lights blinked on and off or flickered at key moments to emphasize what was happening in the script. This is DiGeorge’s eighth appearance on the honors list.
Diego Ford was the lighting designer for the Renaissance Theatre Company production of “Laughs in Spanish.” (Courtesy Jake Pearce via Renaissance Theatre)
Diego Ford
‘Laughs in Spanish’ Renaissance Theatre
IN MARCH: Diego Ford’s cool lighting never let us forget we were watching a story set in a Miami art gallery. His hues always matched the scene’s mood while giving us plenty of Miami aquas and purples.
George Jackson was the lighting designer for the Theatre at St. Luke’s production of “Big Fish,” with Emily Deler and CJ Sikorski. (Courtesy Valerie Sims via Theatre at St. Luke’s)
George Jackson
‘Big Fish’ Theatre at St. Luke’s
IN AUGUST: George Jackson’s lighting perfectly fit the larger-than-life aspect of “Big Fish.” He expertly helped set the mood from intimate reality-based scenes to the fantastical extravaganzas that mark the musical. This is Jackson’s ninth appearance in this category, where he has been awarded the Critic’s Pick twice.
Kylee Taylor was the lighting designer for the Central Florida Vocal Arts production of “Sunday in the Park With George,” with Chase Williams. (Courtesy Central Florida Vocal Arts)
Kylee Taylor
‘Sunday in the Park With George’ Central Florida Vocal Arts
IN NOVEMBER: With a stripped-down scenic design for “Sunday in the Park With George,” Kylee Taylor’s lighting helped fill in impressionistic details with color and imagination. In a musical about making art, her evocative and often dreamscape lighting design was a work of art in and of itself. Taylor also was honored in 2023 for her lighting design for the Florida Theatrical Association production of “Lizzie.”
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/16/lighting-design-best-orlando-theater-2025/
