Laura J. Eckelman is a theatrical lighting designer based in central Massachusetts. When she's not teaching undergraduate design and management at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, she freelances on projects ranging from classical drama to contemporary performance art. Her work has been seen at theaters all over the country, including Studio Theatre, Triad Stage, Theatre J, Perseverance Theatre, and Yale Repertory Theatre. She has also worked with collaborative and cross-disciplinary companies such as The Bearded Ladies Cabaret, the Welders, Page73, and Bang On A Can.

Laura prides herself on creating nuanced and elegant designs, but her greatest commitment is to the collaborative process itself. Her favorite projects involve being in the room with opinionated and creative partners who share both mutual respect for each other and a passionate dedication to the work at hand.

Laura holds a B.A. in Theater from Middlebury College and an M.F.A. in Design from Yale School of Drama. She has also studied in Yale School of Drama’s Theatre Management program, in the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and at Royal Holloway University of London. She is a 2012 recipient of the S&R Washington Award, which recognizes talented young artists in the fields of fine arts, music, drama, dance, photography, & film. While at Washington College, Laura served as associate professor, resident designer, production manager, and chair in the Department of Theatre & Dance, and was founding director of the interdisciplinary program in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship. Laura is an active member and holds leadership positions in both the United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT) and the Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE).