Photograph from Don Juan - lighting design by chuma
Photographer: Panayis Chrysovergis | From the show Don Juan
Photograph from Don Juan - lighting design by chuma
Photographer: Panayis Chrysovergis | From the show Don Juan
Photograph from Don Juan - lighting design by chuma
Photographer: Panayis Chrysovergis | From the show Don Juan
Photograph from Don Juan - lighting design by chuma
Photographer: Panayis Chrysovergis | From the show Don Juan
Photograph from Great Expectations - lighting design by chuma
Great Expectations | Photographer: Panayis Chrysovergis | From the show Great Expectations
chuma's picture

Chuma Emembolu

Biography Credits Portfolio Press Quotes Specialisms Availability Contact Details News

Biography

An experienced freelance Lighting Designer, Chuma has enjoyed a great deal of professional success for his innovative and electrifying work in theatre both round the UK

Previous productions

Previous productions

Show name Type Venue/Company Role Creative Team Opened
Icarus Theatre Tobacco Factory Theatres
Bristol School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Nancy Medina
Dec 2022
Sir John In Love Opera Opera Holland Park
British Youth Opera
Lighting Designer Director: Harry Fehr
Set designer: Nate Gibson
Aug 2022
The Throne Theatre Charing Cross Theatre
Throne Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Anthony Biggs
Set designer: Gregor Donnelly
Jun 2022
Bold Girls Theatre Gielgud Theatre, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)
Lighting Designer Director: Ola Ince
Set designer: Adam Nee
May 2022
The Dwarfs Theatre The White Bear Theatre
Flying Colours Presents
Lighting Designer Director: Harry Burton
Set designer: Isabella Van Braeckel
May 2022
The Aspern Papers Opera Royal Academy of Music, Susie Sainsbury Theatre
Pegasus Opera
Lighting Designer Director: Simone Ibbett-Brown
Apr 2022
Man of Mode Theatre The Mack
Mountview Presents
Lighting Designer Director: Barney McElholm & Bethany West
Set designer: Tina Torbey
Mar 2022
The Night Woman Theatre The Other Palace, London
Emma Blackman Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Martina Laird
Mar 2022
Here's What She Said To Me Theatre Belgrade 2 - Coventry
Utopia Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Mojisola Elufowoju
Set designer: Emma Williams
Jan 2022
For Black Boy Who Considered Suicide When the Hue Got to Heavy Theatre New Diarama Theatre, London
New Diorama Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu
Set designer: Anna Reid
Oct 2021
LOVE, GENIUS AND A WALK Theatre Theatro Technis, Camden
Bringing Up The House
Lighting Designer Director: Leah Townley
Set designer: CONSTANCE VILLEMOT
Sep 2021
L'ENFANT PRODIGUE Opera Royal Academy of Music, Susie Sainsbury Theatre
Pegasus Opera
Lighting Designer Director: Harry Fehr
Set designer: Flavio Graff
Sep 2021
POISON, PASSION AND PURIFICATION Opera Royal Academy of Music, Susie Sainsbury Theatre
Pegasus Opera
Lighting Designer Director: Harry Fehr
Set designer: Flavio Graff
Sep 2021
Invisibe Me Theatre New Wimbledon Studio Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Su Gilroy
Sep 2021
Maggie and Ted Theatre The Garrick Theatre London
Honourable Man Productions
Associate Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Jack Weir
Director: Michael Kingsbury
Jun 2021
ILLUSIONS OF LIBERTY Theatre Kings Head Theatre, Angel
It Taste Like Home Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Raquel Grela
Jun 2021
Invisible Me Theatre Conway Hall Lighting Designer Director: Nicky Allpress
Oct 2020
THE GOOD DAD Theatre The Old Red Lion Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Anthony Shrubsall
Feb 2020
We Will Rock You Musical ARK BORLINGBROKE
ARK BORLINGBROKE Production
Lighting Designer Jan 2020
The Maids Theatre Hen and Chickens Theatre
Theatre East N Bull
Lighting Designer Director: Boris Celiloglu
Jan 2020
Great Expectations Theatre The Playground Theatre
Theatre Labs Company
Lighting Designer Director: Anastasia Revi
Set designer: Eirini Kariori
Dec 2019
THE EXCEPTIONAL CASE OF WHIZZ AND DREX Theatre The Old Red Lion Theatre
SANTAMANA PRODUCTIONS
Lighting Designer Director: Fred Kelly
Dec 2019
A BOY CALLED PORRO Musical Pleasance Theatre London
Tricolore Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Anthony Shrubsall
Set designer: Alys Whitehead
Nov 2019
EDRED THE VAMPYRE Theatre The Old Red Lion Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Anthony Shrubsall
Set designer: Alys Whitehead
Oct 2019
DISSOCIATED Musical Etcetera Theatre, Camden
Skitzoid Productions
Lighting Designer Director: David Bain
Oct 2019
Macbeth - The Musical Musical The White Bear Theatre
Stage Splinters
Lighting Designer Director: Chuma Emembolu
Set designer: Sally Hardcastle
Sep 2019
This Play Will Solve Climate Change Theatre The White Bear Theatre
Reusable Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Laura Baggaley
Aug 2019
Blue Tights, Red Knickers and an ‘s’ On her vest Theatre The Lion & Unicorn Theatre
Thematic Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Liam Ashmead
Aug 2019
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Opera Greenwood Theatre, Kings College London
Fulham Opera
Lighting Designer Director: Paul Higgins
Set designer: Jessica Staton
Aug 2019
Nostalgia Theatre The White Bear Theatre
Nomadic Theatrical Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Clive Moffatt
Jul 2019
Conversation With Ed Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Evangeline Osbon
Jul 2019
The Fear Theatre Bunker Theatre
Mountview
Lighting Designer Director: Lekan Lawal
Jun 2019
King Charles III Theatre Barnes Community Centre
Wild Duck Theatre and Barnes Players
Lighting Designer Director: Susan Coates
Jun 2019
Gravel Heart Theatre Bunker Theatre
Mountview
Lighting Designer Director: Richard Vincent
May 2019
Jumping the Shark Theatre The White Bear Theatre
White Bear Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Michael Kingsbury
Apr 2019
Avalon Theatre The White Bear Theatre
Savage Kid
Lighting Designer Director: Peter Craze
Mar 2019
The Key Keepers of Kabul Theatre Tara Arts, London Lighting Designer Director: Kamaal Hussain
Mar 2019
LUCREZIA THE SINNER, LUCREZIA THE SAINT Theatre The Oxford Playhouse
Theatre Lab Company
Lighting Designer Director: Anastasia Revi
Set designer: Valentina Sanna
Mar 2019
The Project Theatre The White Bear Theatre
RedNeedles Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Anthony Shrubsall
Set designer: Sarah Baker
Mar 2019
Connecting... Theatre The Chapel Playhouse
All Terrain Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Lucie Regan
Mar 2019
Boomerang Theatre The White Bear Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Ivana Mazza-Coates and Madeleine Shenai
Feb 2019
some birds never return Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
The Collective Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Theodor Spiridon
Feb 2019
Nor Woman Neither Theatre The White Bear Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Stephen Doolan
Feb 2019
104 days with you Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Luna Rose Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Luna Rose
Jan 2019
The Empire Has Fallen Theatre The White Bear Theatre
Umbra Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: David Fenne
Jan 2019
Valhalla Theatre The White Bear Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Allix James
Jan 2019
Apparatus Theatre The White Bear Theatre
Blue Devil Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Ross Dinwiddy
Jan 2019
Cinderella :Pantomime Theatre Ye Olde Rose & Crown
Whats in a name productions
Lighting Designer Director: Anthony Law
Nov 2018
An Honourable Man Theatre The White Bear Theatre
Honourable Man Productions
Assistant Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Joseph Ed Thomas
Director: Jolly Gosnold
Set designer: Mike Lees
Nov 2018
As You Like It Theatre Ye Olde Rose & Crown
Controlled Chaos Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Michael J. Ansley
Nov 2018
Tainted - A New Musical Musical The Vaults Theatre Associate Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Joseph Ed Thomas
Director: Bryan Hodgson
Set designer: Mike Lees
Oct 2018
It Taste Like Home Musical The Bread and Roses Theatre
Divergence Theatre Collective
Lighting Designer Director: Roman Berry
Set designer: Geraldine Cooper
Oct 2018
Cabaret Theatre The Other Palace
Konstantin Kamenski Productions
Lighting Designer Oct 2018
Clapham Fringe Festival Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
The Bread and Roses Theatre
Lighting Designer Sep 2018
THE SWORD OF ALEX Theatre The White Bear Theatre
Beyond the Pale theatre company
Lighting Designer Director: Brian Woolland
Set designer: Alys Whitehead
Sep 2018
Chaos Volume III Theatre Katzpace theatre
Controlled Chaos Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Sep 2018
Richard II Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Open the Vault productions
Lighting Designer Director: Joshua Jewkes
Aug 2018
Trying to be her Theatre Etcetera Theatre
The Writing Network
Lighting Designer Director: Paula David
Aug 2018
Fleeced Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Matipo Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Georgia Hardcastle
Set designer: Sally Hardcastle
Aug 2018
Bandit Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
New Dreams Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Daisy Milner
Aug 2018
TELO Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
New Dreams Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Laurel Marks
Aug 2018
SUNFLOWER Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
New Dreams Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Joe Miller
Aug 2018
SUNNY SIDE UP Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
New Dreams Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Tess Agus
Aug 2018
In the Wake of Theatre The Lion and Unicorn Theatre
WooHoo Debbie Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Matt Shrachan
Aug 2018
No Exit Theatre Bread & Roses Theatre
The Rose Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: James Sheppard
Jul 2018
Blue Tights, Red Knickers and an ’S’ on Her Vest Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Thematic Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Liam Ashmead
Jul 2018
Metamorphosis 2 Theatre Waterloo East Theatre, London
Off The Cliff Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Kasia Różycki
Jul 2018
Romeo and Juliet Theatre Waterloo East Theatre, London
Controlled Chaos Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Paul Anthony
Jun 2018
Last one here Theatre The White Bear Theatre
Tripped Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Georgia Leanne Harris
Set designer: Sally Hardcastle
Jun 2018
Dare to Do Theatre The Space
Ka Zimba Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Jeffery Kissoon
Set designer: Alfie Heywood
May 2018
Gift of the Gab Theatre The White Bear Theatre
Shiny Pin Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Simon David Eden
Set designer: Sim E. Sigh
May 2018
The Buzz Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
The Bread and Roses Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Velenzia Spearpoint
Set designer: Sally Hardcastle
May 2018
Don Juan Theatre Hoxton Hall Theatre
Theatre Lab Company
Lighting Designer Director: Anastasia Revi
Set designer: Valentina Sanna
Apr 2018
In the Year 2125 Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Cyborphic Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Brooke DeBettignies
Mar 2018
Frankenstein: Live Audio Drama Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Cyborphic Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Richard Hand
Mar 2018
Dark King Kills Unicorn Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Cyborphic Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Stella Keramida
Mar 2018
Close Encounters Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Cyborphic Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Darren Tunstall
Mar 2018
Fixed Action Pattern Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Cyborphic Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Evi Stamatiou
Mar 2018
For the Living Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Cyborphic Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Jay Head
Mar 2018
Been on the Job Too Long Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Cyborphic Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Simone Giustinelli
Mar 2018
Homo Superior Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Cyborphic Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Tess Agus
Mar 2018
RIP Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Cyborphic Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Edward Einhorn
Mar 2018
Last Tragedy Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Cyborphic Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Sokratis Synitos
Mar 2018
Paper Doll Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Cyborphic Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Katherine Sturt-Scobie
Mar 2018
The Tempest Theatre The Brockley Jack Theatre
Controlled Chaos Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Dylan Lincoln
Set designer: Dylan Lincoln
Feb 2018
Little Did I Know Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
The Bread and Roses Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Roman Berry
Set designer: Reiko Moreau
Feb 2018
Fear and Misery of the Third Reich Theatre The Brockley Jack Theatre
Aequitas Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Rachael Bellis
Jan 2018
What's your Issue Theatre The Cockpit Theatre - London
Aequitas Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Sophia Start
Aug 2015
The Merchant Of Venice Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Aequitas Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Sophia Start
Mar 2015
Measure for Measure Theatre The Bread and Roses Theatre
Aequitas Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Sophia Start
Mar 2015
Scars Theatre Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury Lighting Designer Director: Matthew Woods
Nov 2000
Location availability:
  • Worldwide
Contact method Details
Email address chumald@icloud.com
Website https://www.chumald.com
Theatre:
  • International
  • West End
  • Commercial Tour
  • Regional (Main House)
  • Regional (Studio)
  • Small Scale Touring
  • Fringe / Pub Theatre
  • Education Establishment
  • Touring relights
  • Projection / Video Design
Musical:
  • International
  • West End
  • Commercial Tour
  • Regional (Main House)
  • Regional (Studio)
  • Small Scale / Fringe
  • Pantomime
  • Education Establishment
  • Touring relights
  • Projection / Video Design
Opera:
  • International
  • Large scale
  • Small scale
  • Education Establishment
  • Projection / Video Design
Dance:
  • International
  • UK National Company
  • Large Scale
  • Medium Scale
  • Education Establishment
  • Projection / Video Design
Corporate:
  • Conferences
  • Exhibition Stands
  • Fashion Shows
  • Product Launches
  • Award Ceremonies
  • Open Air Events
  • Projection / Video / Content Design
Education:
  • Lectures
  • Workshops
  • Training

News

Appearing here soon... a collection of articles from the Focus magazine archives.

Press quotes

Great Expectations

This Gothic adaptation is aided greatly, not only by the set but the sound and lighting too. Chuma Emembolu’s lighting design adds to the mood of the piece, while the music and sound effects help to keep the audience on the edge of their seats
kherrington83, From Page to stage 22/12/2019
Chuma Emembolu’s lighting design enhances the gloominess and the clever use of music and sound effects establishes a foreboding atmosphere which lingers throughout.
Jonathan Marshall, The Upcoming 19/12/2019
The macabre atmosphere is heightened by the lighting design and the chilling choice of music throughout the piece
Sarah McPartlan, Musical Theatre Musings 18/12/2019
The most impressive part of this show is, and by far, the direction by Anastasia Revi. The exceptional set (Eirini Kariori) and lighting design (Chuma Emembolu) help to build a gloomy, gothic atmosphere.
Dominika Fleszar, A Spy In The Stalls 16/12/2019
Chuma Emembolu’s lighting and the skilful use of music and the sound of ticking clocks all add to the mood and the formality of Anastasia Revi’s production makes it easy to play directly to the audience.
Howard Loxton, British Theatre Guide 15/12/2019

EDRED THE VAMPYRE

Chuma Emembolu and Alys Whitehead also deserve mentions for their respective powerful lighting/set design and haunting monastic music..
J², Close-Up Culture 01/11/2019
Priest manages to be genuinely scary at points, something helped along by Chuma Emembolu’ intense sound and lighting design.
Oluwatayo Adewole, Voice Magazine 01/11/2019
the overall ominous atmosphere – carried off with ease by a marriage of set design (Alys Whitehead) and lighting and sound (Chuma Emembolu) – makes for a deliciously gothic tale with a wonderfully entertaining main character.
Vicky Richards, A Spy In The Stalls 29/10/2019
He's aided by his trio of actors who give splendid performances, pitched perfectly for this intimate space, beautifully lit by Chuma Emembolu.
Gary Naylor, Broadway World UK 02/10/2019

Macbeth - The Musical

This is a very very funny and very relevant show from Stage Splinters. I loved the witches and the rapping, the original words and music. Co-written by Chuma Emembolu, who also directed the show, this version transported the Macbeths and their entourage into the twenty-first-century. But with singing puppets.
Deborah Jefferies, London Pub Theatres 06/09/2019

This Play Will Solve Climate Change

A quick shout-out to Chuma Emembolu for the lighting design of this show, which was noticeably excellent and effectively hit the mark and mood of each scene every time.
Elisha Alysmore, London Pub Theatres 15/08/2019

Nostalgia

Chuma Emembolu’s lighting and sound design, though, help to bring things together into a coherent whole, with Emembolu’s sound direction, in particular, making good use of some musical staples of classical and big band fare to evoke the titular nostalgia for a different era
Christopher O'Dea-Giordano, London Theatre Reviews 02/08/2019

Gift of the Gab

The detailed set by Sim E Sigh, complete with pickled eggs and ancient till, and paired with Chuma Emembolu’s lighting and sound design means the Winter of Discontent has never felt closer. The 1970s pop culture references flow thick and fast.
Frey Kwa Hawking, The Stage 21/05/2018

Don Juan

Chuma Emembolu’s lighting articulates the contrasting moments with precision and sensitivity
Joanna Hetherington, A Spy In The Stalls 27/04/2018