Heather Gilbert is an American theatrical lighting designer. She is best known for her close collaboration with director David Cromer.
Early life and education Heather Gilbert was born in Michigan and raised in Houston, Texas. She received her BA from Trinity University in San Antonio and her MFA in Lighting Design from The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago.
Career Gilbert worked in Chicago for many years before relocating to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2025. In her early career, she was an assistant lighting designer to Scott Zielinski. Additionally, she worked closely with Kevin Rigdon and Brian MacDevitt. Gilbert soon became established in Chicago, calling Steppenwolf Theatre her artistic home.
Gilbert was a member of The Hypocrites, where David Cromer's staging of Thorton Wilder's Our Town originated, for which Gilbert designed the lights.
On Broadway, Gilbert has designed Bug, The Fear of 13, Little Bear Ridge Road, Good Night and Good Luck, Dead Outlaw, Parade, The Sound Inside, and Cult of Love.
Gilbert is a professor of lighting design at the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Previously, she was a professor at Columbia College Chicago for 19 years and an assistant professor at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
Selected works +YearTitleRoleVenueRef.2009Our TownLighting DesignerOff-Broadway, Barrow Street Theatre2018The Better Half Chicago, Lucky Plush at Steppenwolf Theatre CompanyThe Pirates of PenzanceRegional, Olney Theatre Center2019Dance NationChicago, Steppenwolf Theatre CompanyMs Blakk for PresidentThe Sound InsideBroadway, Studio 542021BugChicago, Steppenwolf Theatre Company2022LayalinaChicago, Goodman Theatre's New Stages FestivalThe Color PurpleRegional, The MunyWife of a SalesmanChicago, Writers Theatre2023POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him AliveChicago, Steppenwolf TheatreRent (musical)Regional, The MunyAnother MarriageChicago, Steppenwolf TheatreParadeBroadway, Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre2024Primary TrustChicago, Goodman TheatreLeroy and LucyChicago, Steppenwolf Theatre CompanyWaitressRegional, The MunyCult of LoveOff-Broadway, Second Stage Theater2025LowcountryOff-Broadway, Atlantic Theater CompanyDead OutlawBroadway, Longacre TheatreGood Night, and Good LuckBroadway, Winter Garden TheatreLittle Bear Ridge RoadBroadway, Booth Theatre2026BugBroadway, Samuel J. Friedman TheatreHedda GablerWest End, Old Globe TheatreThe Fear of 13Broadway, James Earl Jones TheatreGirl, InterruptedOff-Broadway, The Public TheaterMidnight at the Never Get West End, Menier Chocolate Factory
Awards and nominations +YearAwardCategoryProductionResultRef.2020Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Lighting Design for a PlayThe Sound Inside2021Tony AwardBest Lighting Design of a Play2023Tony AwardBest Lighting Design of a MusicalParadeDrama Desk AwardOutstanding Lighting Design for a Musical2025Tony AwardBest Lighting Design of a PlayGood Night, and Good LuckDrama Desk AwardOutstanding Lighting DesignDead Outlaw2026Tony AwardBest Lighting Design of a PlayBugThe Fear of 13
References