Callum Macdonald
Callum is a freelance lighting designer, associate and assistant, working across theatre, opera and live events, both around the UK and internationally.
He started his career as a technician at The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, where he spent time shadowing various designers and touring re-lighters, as well as providing the lighting for local amateur groups.
After gradually picking up more of his own touring work, in 2019 Callum was one of 38 emerging designers to be selected for the Association of Lighting Designers’ prestigious ‘Lumiere Scheme’, through which he was paired with the distinguished LD Mark Jonathan for a year of technical and career mentorship.
Over the course of 2021-22, Callum is being supported by Arts Council England as part of their ‘Develop Your Creative Practice’ campaign, affording him the opportunity to work as an associate to Jon Clark, Mark Jonathan and Matthew Haskins on a number of large-scale productions, including drama, opera and ballet.
Callum is a member of The Association for Lighting Production and Design (ALPD) and of Equity.
He’s always interested to meet with potential new collaborators, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Previous productions
| Show name | Type | Venue/Company | Role | Creative Team | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinderella - Pantomime | Musical |
The Core, Solihull Little Wolf Entertainment |
Lighting Designer | Dec 2021 | |
| The Princess and the Pea | Theatre |
Touring, then touring Tutti Frutti |
Lighting Designer | Oct 2021 | |
| BEAM | Opera |
Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh, UK Team BEAM |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Darren Abrahams Set designer: Sarah Jane Booth |
Jun 2021 |
| Robin Hood - Pantomime | Musical |
The Camberley Theatre The Camberley Theatre |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Suzi Budd Set designer: Nick Duncan |
Dec 2019 |
| Fantastic Mr Fox | Theatre |
New Wolsey Studio, Ipswich New Wolsey Theatre |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Aidan Napier Set designer: Rob Salmon |
Oct 2019 |
| Soonchild | Theatre |
UK tour, then touring Red Earth Theatre |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Wendy Rouse and Amanda Wilde Set designer: Laura McEwen |
Oct 2019 |
| Come Dance With Me | Theatre |
Regional Tour, then touring Missing Pieces Theatre |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Graham Howes |
Sep 2019 |
| Peter Pan | Theatre |
Circus Fantasia Big Top Co-op Jrs |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Oliver Brett |
Jul 2019 |
| Jesus Christ Superstar | Theatre |
The New Wolsey Theatre CTC |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Bridie Rowe |
Jul 2019 |
| First Light Festival | Concert |
Lowestoft South Beach Flipside |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Genevieve Christie |
Jun 2019 |
| Little Shop of Horrors | Theatre |
The Pleasance London Seedtime |
Lighting Programmer |
Lighting designer: David Phillips |
Jun 2019 |
| The Crucible | Theatre |
The Yard Theatre The Yard Theatre |
Production Electrician |
Lighting designer: Jess Bernberg Director: Jay Miller Set designer: Cécile Trémolières |
Mar 2019 |
| Annie | Theatre |
The Mercury Theatre, Colchester COS |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Adam Woodhouse Set designer: Scenic Projects |
Jan 2019 |
| A Christmas Carol | Musical |
The Apex The Childrens Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Bridie Rowe |
Dec 2018 |
| Sleeping Beauty - Pantomine | Theatre |
Camberley Theatre Camberley Theatre |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Suzi Budd |
Dec 2018 |
| The Wizard of Oz | Theatre |
The Mercury Theatre, Colchester CO2 |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Adam Woodhouse Set designer: Scenic Projects |
Sep 2018 |
| Anchorage Beach Club | Concert |
Mersea Island Marfleet Events |
Production Electrician |
Lighting designer: Nev Milsom |
Aug 2018 |
| Les Miserables (Schools Edition) | Musical |
The Grand Hall, Ipswich Corn Exchange CTC |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Bridie Rowe Set designer: tbc |
Jul 2018 |
| Barnum | Musical |
Circus Fantasia Big Top Co-op Jrs |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Oliver Brett Set designer: Oliver Brett |
Jun 2018 |
| Cyber Battle 2018 | Corporate & Industrial |
QEII Centre Lux Technical |
Lighting Designer | Feb 2018 | |
| Hairspray | Musical | The Mercury Theatre, Colchester | Lighting Designer |
Director: David Rutter Set designer: Scenic Projects |
Jan 2018 |
| Hairspray | Musical | The Apex | Lighting Designer |
Lighting designer: Callum Macdonald Director: Bridie Rowe Set designer: Mali-Beth Roberts |
Dec 2017 |
| Little Shop of Horrors | Musical | The Mercury Theatre, Colchester | Lighting Designer |
Lighting designer: Callum Macdonald Director: Leanne Fincham Set designer: Scenic Projects Ltd |
Oct 2017 |
| Seven Brides for Seven Brothers | Musical |
The New Wolsey Ipswich CTC |
Lighting Designer |
Lighting designer: Callum Macdonald Director: Bridie Rowe Set designer: Mali-Beth Roberts |
Jul 2017 |
| Miss Nightingale | Musical |
The Vaults Mr Bugg Presents |
Lighting Designer |
Lighting designer: Callum Macdonald Director: Matthew Bugg |
Mar 2017 |
| Jekyll and Hyde the Musical | Musical | The Mercury Theatre, Colchester | Lighting Designer |
Director: TBC Set designer: tbc |
Jan 2017 |
| Cats | Musical |
The Apex CTC |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Bridie Horne |
Dec 2016 |
| 9 to 5 The Musical | Musical |
Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal Irving Stage Company |
Lighting Designer |
Lighting designer: Callum Macdonald Director: Sian Couture Set designer: Scenic Projects Ltd |
Nov 2016 |
| Carousel | Musical |
Mercury Theatre Colchester Operatic Society |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Nikki Mundell-Poole |
Sep 2016 |
| Nike Product Launch | Corporate & Industrial |
Village Underground Lux Technical |
Lighting Designer | Aug 2016 | |
| Legally Blonde - The Musical | Musical | The New Wolsey Theatre | Lighting Designer |
Director: Bridie Rowe |
Jul 2016 |
| A Bridge Over Oblivion | Musical | The New Wolsey Studio | Lighting Designer |
Director: Charlie Pittman |
Jul 2016 |
| The Crucible | Theatre |
The Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds Irving Stage Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Nick Bennet Set designer: David Dodson |
Mar 2016 |
| A Streetcar Named Desire | Theatre |
The Headgate Theatre Paper Lantern Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Sally Scurrell Set designer: Darren Bettie |
Jan 2016 |
| Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat | Musical | The Apex | Lighting Designer |
Director: Bridie Rowe |
Dec 2015 |
| A Streetcar Named Desire | Theatre |
The Sir John Mills Theatre The Gallery Players |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Sally Scurrell Set designer: Darren Bettie |
Oct 2015 |
| West Side Story | Musical | The New Wolsey Theatre | Lighting Designer |
Director: Bridie Rowe |
Jul 2015 |
| Cyber Security Challenge | Corporate & Industrial |
HMS Belfast Cyber Security Challenge |
Lighting Designer | Mar 2015 | |
| The Little Mermaid | Musical | The Seckford Theatre | Lighting Designer |
Director: Bridie Rowe Set designer: Oliver Brett |
Apr 2014 |
| Adastral Park | Corporate & Industrial |
Adastral Park, Martlesham Heath BT |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Jamie Hazelwood |
Apr 2014 |
| Les Miserables | Musical | The New Wolsey Theatre | Lighting Designer |
Director: Bridie Rowe Set designer: Scenic Projects Ltd |
Jul 2013 |
| Cinderella | Theatre | The Seckford Theatre | Lighting Designer |
Director: Bridie Rowe |
Apr 2013 |
Soonchild
One surprise was the inclusion of a noteworthy shock in the play that comes at the end of the first half. The scene itself is beautiful, haunting and the lighting is on point
Folk Phenomena 12/11/2019
Miss Nightingale
These are complemented by the lighting – Callum Macdonald’s design bounces off the costumes with enough punch to match the score.
Lucy Beirne, Musical Theatre Review 15/04/2017
Callum MacDonald‘s biography says he’s “a fresh face to the theatre industry…..with a growing portfolio”. If the lighting on Miss Nightingale is indicative of his work then his portfolio will grow substantially, there’s plenty of room for someone with such talent for lighting. It’s not easy to put in a “pop-up” lighting rig but there are no compromises here in the design – it looks beautiful.
Richard Lambert, Theatre Reviews 06/04/2017
The Crucible
"The stark puritan settings were splendid and the lighting design created the oppressive atmosphere well.."
Julie Petrucci, NODA Review 18/03/2016
A Streetcar Named Desire
enormously helped by a very atmospheric set which is lit brilliantly
David Henshall, Ipswich Star 29/10/2015
Theatre:
- Regional (Main House)
- Regional (Studio)
- Small Scale Touring
- Fringe / Pub Theatre
Musical:
- Regional (Main House)
- Regional (Studio)
- Small Scale / Fringe
- Pantomime
Opera:
- Small scale
Dance:
- Small Scale
Concert:
- Club
- Festival
Corporate:
- Conferences
- Exhibition Stands
- Fashion Shows
- Product Launches
- Award Ceremonies
- Open Air Events
Architectural:
- Displays & Art
- Gardens
- Open Air Events
- Places of Worship
Non-professional:
- Dance
- Musicals
- Plays
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| Mobile phone |
07590 568663 |
| Website | |
| Email address | info@cmlighting.co.uk |
Appearing here soon... a collection of articles from the Focus magazine archives.
