Headshot of Maja E. White

Maja E. White

Associate Professor of Theatre
Co-Chair, Department of Theatre & Dance
Curriculum Vitae

  • Profile

    Maja E. White, lighting and sound designer, has designed lighting for opera, theatre, and dance nationally and internationally. She has worked with the Bolshoi, Kirov, and Royal Danish Ballets, Seattle Opera, San Francisco Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Baltimore Opera, and Washington National Opera companies.  She is the resident lighting designer and technical director for the Chamber Dance Project in Washington, D.C. Recently, she became the lighting and technical director for Company SBB’s “Embarqued.” Her research falls in the study of how sustainable equipment and the evolution of technologies are changing the aesthetic of the live entertainment industry. She is a member of United Scenic Artists 829.

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    • Grants and Fellowships

      University of Richmond Summer Fellowship 2016

      University of Richmond Summer Fellowship 2015

      University of Richmond Summer Fellowship 2014

      University of Richmond FRC 2014 Grant University of Richmond Summer Fellowship 2011

      University of Richmond Teaching Enhancement Grant 2010

      University of Richmond Summer Fellowship 2010

      University of Richmond FRC Grant 2010

    • Awards

      A&S Outstanding Mentor Award nominee 2024

      University of Richmond A&S Outstanding Mentor 2018

      University of Richmond Outstanding Mentor Nominee 2016

      University of Richmond Outstanding Mentor Nominee 2013

      University of Richmond AYO Excellent Mentor Award 2011

      DC Metro Dance Awards: Outstanding New Work 2009

    • Presentations

      2023, Speaker: USITT Challenges and benefits of Lighting Site Specific Work

      2021, “Designing The Wedding Dress,” Evening with an Artist: Lighting Design, Spooky Action Theatre Washington, D.C. Via Zoom June 2021

      2018, “Creating Arranged,” Evening with an Artist: Lighting Design, Scotch Lounge Washington, D.C.

      2015, Presenter: “How the Audience Shifted” Design Principles and Practices Conference, Chicago, Il

      2011, ATHE Chair and Presenter: Collaboration in the classroom

      2011, ATHE Presenter: Sustainability in the entertainment industry

      2011, ACDFA Presenter: Communicating with your Lighting Designer

    • Memberships

      United Scenic Artists 829

      United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT, National)

      P.E.O. Sisterhood (philanthropic educational organization)

      Firehouse Theater Board Member (2015-2018)

      Chamber Dance Project Resident Lighting Designer (2014-present)

      Company SBB - Lighting Director/Technical Director (2023-present)

    • Professional Experience

      Selected Productions Dance

      2026, Resident Lighting Designer & Technical Director, Chamber Dance Project. Artistic Director: Diane Coburn Bruning. 2014-2026 in progress.

      2025, Lighting Designer, Evening of Vignettes. Chamber Dance Project. Choreographer: Diane Coburn Bruning.  Dupont Underground, Washington, D.C. June.

      2025, Lighting Designer, Songs By Cole. Chamber Dance Project. Choreographer: Diane Coburn Bruning.  Sidney Harman Hall, Washington, D.C. June.

      2025, Lighting Designer, Prufrock. Chamber Dance Project. Choreographer: Diane Coburn Bruning.  Sidney Harman Hall, Washington, D,C. June.

      2025, Lighting Designer, World Premiere: Tension for Five. Chamber Dance Project. Choreographer: Jorge Aramante.  Sydney Harman Hall, Washington, D.C. June in progress.

      2025, Lighting Designer, Red Angels. Chamber Dance Project. Remount of lighting Designer Mark Stanley. Sidney Harman Hall, Washington, D.C. June in progress.

      2025, Lighting Designer, The Blood that Keeps Singing. Choreographer: Alicia Díaz. Alice Jepson Theatre. University of Richmond, VA. March.

      2025, Lighting Designer, Echo. Choreographer: Charlotte Boyd-Christensen. Alice Jepson Theatre. Modlin Center for the Arts, Richmond, VA. March.

      2025, Lighting Designer, Dying Embers. Choreographer: Christopher Rudd Alice Jepson Theatre. Modlin Center for the Arts, Richmond, VA. March.

      2025, Lighting Designer, Red/Syk. Choreographer: Anne Van Gelder. Alice Jepson Theatre. Modlin Center for the Arts, Richmond, VA. March.

      2025, Scenic Designer, Red/Syk. Choreographer: Anne Van Gelder. Alice Jepson Theatre. Modlin Center for the Arts, Richmond, VA. March.

      2025, Lighting Designer, A Seat at the Table. Choreographer: Angelica Burgos. Alice Jepson Theatre. Modlin Center for the Arts, Richmond, VA. March.

      2025, Lighting Designer, Slam! Chamber Dance Project. Arena Stage: Fichandler Theatre, Washington, D.C. January.

      2025, Lighting Designer, Excerpts: Song by Cole. Chamber Dance Project. Choreographer: Diane Coburn Bruning. Arena Stage: Fichandler Theatre, Washington, D.C. January.

      2025, Lighting Designer, Berceuse. Chamber Dance Project. Diane Coburn Bruning.  Arena Stage: Fichandler Theatre, Washington, D.C. January.

      2024, Lighting Designer, Book of Stones. World premiere. Featuring Tony Award-winning Red Clay Ramblers. Chamber Dance Project. Choreographer: Christian Denice. Sydney Harman Hall, Washington, D.C. June.

      2024, Lighting Designer, Ramblin Suite’. Featuring Tony Award-winning Red Clay Ramblers. Chamber Dance Project. Choreographer: Diane Coburn Bruning. Sydney Harman Hall, Washington, D.C. June.

      2024, Lighting Designer, Weave the Wind. Chamber Dance Project. Choreographer: Diane Coburn Bruning. Sydney Harman Hall, Washington, D.C. June.

      2024, Lighting Designer, Sur. 10th Anniversary. Chamber Dance Project. Choreographer: Jorge Aramante. Sydney Harman Hall, Washington, D.C. June.

      2024, Lighting Designer & Technical Director, Embarqued. Company SBB Stefanie Batten Bland. Choreographer: Stefanie Batten Bland. The Guggenheim Museum, New York, NY. January.

      2024, Lighting Designer, Journey. Chamber Dance Project. Choreographer: Diane Coburn Bruning. Arena Stage Kogod: Theatre, Washington, D.C. January.

      2024, Lighting Designer, Dwellings. Chamber Dance Project. Choreographer: Christian Denice. Arena Stage Kogod: Theatre, Washington, D.C. January.

      2024, Lighting Designer, Excerpts preview: Book of Stones. Chamber Dance Project. Choreographer: Christian Denice. Arena Stage: Kogod Theatre, Washington, D.C. January.

      2024, Lighting Designer, Sidney Harman Hall, Washington DC, Chamber Dance Project, World Premiere: Book of Stones feat. Tony award winning Red Clay Ramblers, Ramblin’ Suite Ramblers feat. Tony award winning Red Clay Ramblers, Weave the Wind, Sur (10th Anniversary)

      2024, Lighting & Technical Director, The Guggenheim Museum, NYC, NY, Company SBB: Embarqued

      2024, Lighting Designer, Arena Stage, Kogod Theater, Washington DC, Chamber Dance Project, Excerpt Book of Stones, Sur, Journey, Bercuse, Dwellings

      2023, Lighting Designer, Arena Stage, Fichlander Theater, Washington DC, Chamber Dance Project, In the round, Rondo del Torono, Bercuese, Chant

      2021, Lighting/Tech Director, The National Cathedral, Washington, DC, Chamber Dance Project, New Works New Places, World Premiers: Four Men, Alight, In the Silence Dwellings. DC Premiere: Serebande

      2019, Lighting Designer, Sidney Harman Center for the Arts, Washington, DC, Chamber Dance Project, NewWorks + World Premiers: Rondo del Torno, Prufrock

      2018, Lighting Designer, The Lansburg Theater, Washington, DC, Chamber Dance Project, Ballet and Chant, World Premiers: Chant, Vespers.

      2017, Lighting Designer, Sidney Harman Center for the Arts, Washington, DC, Chamber Dance Project, Ballet, Brass & Song World Premier: Songs by Cole.

      2017, Lighting Designer, The John F. Kennedy Center, Washington, DC, Chamber Dance Project, Ballet, Brass & Song, World Premier: Excerpts Songs by Cole. *live stream performance worldwide via J.F. Kennedy Center social media platform

      2015, Lighting Designer, The Joyce Theater, New York, NY, NY Premiere: Chamber Dance Project

      2014, Lighting Designer, Kennedy Center, Terrace Theater, DC Premiere: Chamber Dance Project

      Selected Productions Theatre

      2025, Lighting Designer, The Woman in Black. Director: Ben Cudmore. Cousins Studio Theatre. Modlin Center for the Arts, Richmond, VA. February.

      2024, Lighting Designer, The House that Will Not Stand Director: Lucretia Andersen. Alice Jepson Theatre. Modlin Center for the Arts, Richmond, VA. November.

      2024, Sound Designer, The House that Will Not Stand Director: Lucretia Andersen. Alice Jepson Theatre. Modlin Center for the Arts, Richmond, VA. November.

      2024, Sound Designer, Stop Kiss. Director: Jenny Cavanaugh. Cousins Studio Theatre, Modlin Center for the Arts, Richmond, VA. February.

      2018, Lighting Designer, Quill Theater, Richmond, VA, Brave New World

      2017, Lighting Designer, Quill Theater, Richmond, VA, Lysistrata

      2017, Lighting Designer, Quill Theater, Richmond, VA, Complete Works of William Shakespeare

      2014, Lighting Designer, Spooky Action Theater, Washington, DC, The Wedding Dress

      2013, Lighting Designer, Whistle Blowers Theater, Bradass87

      2011, Lighting Designer, Richmond Shakespeare: King Lear, Two Gentlemen of Verona

      Lighting Design & Project Management

      Professional Freelance Lighting Designer.

      Former Project Manager, Barbizon Capitol, Lighting and Rigging systems Installations.

  • Selected Publications
    Journal Articles

    2022, (in Progress) "How the Audience Shifted; intersection socio-ecomonic status and lighting technology in the theater." Working title.

    Book Chapters

    2013, A Practical Guide to Greener Theater by Ellen Jones, Focal Press. Book Contribution.

    Additional Publications
    2014-present, How the Audience Shifted: A look at culture and technology