Yu Lei

Biography

Leo is an Assistant Professor of Lighting and Sound in the School of Stage and Screen. He is originally from China. He earned his BA (Hons) degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Essex in Singapore, and his M.F.A in Lighting Design from Kent State University, Ohio.<br><br>Prior to joining the faculty at Western Carolina University, Leo taught Lighting Design and Technology in Santa Fe University of Art and Design. He also worked for professional theatre companies nationally and internationally. He worked as the Season Master Electrician and Lighting Designer at Porthouse Theatre from 2014 to 2016. He also designed lighting for corporate events, concerts and music festivals in China while he was serving as the Chief Lighting Consultant and Designer in Maidong Media Co. Ltd., a production company in his hometown. <br><br>Leo’s professional lighting design credits include Into the Woods, Beauty and The Beast, Twelfth Night, Noises Off, Cabaret, Company, Footloose, and Grease. In 2016, He won the 1st Place of Graduate Lighting Design Award for Side Show in the 67th Southeast Theatre Conference (SETC).

Education

• MFA, Kent State University Kent Campus, Lighting Design
• BA, University of Essex, Theatre Arts

Teaching Interests

Lighting Design and Technology, Sound Design and Technology, Entertainment Drafting, Design Principles.

Research Interests

2D and 3D visualization of lighting design, lighting and sound system optimization, projection design.