Photograph from Tribes - lighting design by CatjaHamilton
Photographer: Johannes Hjorth | From the show Tribes
Photograph from Shake the City - lighting design by CatjaHamilton
Photographer: Steve Gregson | From the show Shake the City
Photograph from The Boatswain's Mate - lighting design by CatjaHamilton
Photographer: Lidia Crisafulli | From the show The Boatswain's Mate
Photograph from Duck - lighting design by CatjaHamilton
Photographer: Steve Gregson | From the show Duck
CatjaHamilton's picture

Catja Hamilton

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Biography

Catja is a freelance Lighting Designer working predominantly in theatre, but with an interest in all art forms. She co-runs Airlock Theatre and is a Resident Designer at NDT Broadgate.

Previous productions include: 'The 4th Country' (Park Theatre); 'Patient Light' (The Undercroft); 'Hot Gay Time Machine' (Soho Theatre); 'how we love' (Theatre Peckham, Arcola Outside, VAULT Festival); 'The Establishment Versus Sidney Harry Fox' (Above the Stag); 'Take Care', 'TUNA' (VAULT Festival); 'Venus and Adonis' (Bussey Building); 'ERIS' (Bunker Theatre). 

She has also worked as an Associate and Assistant on productions at the Hampstead Theatre and Southwark Playhouse, live-streams for the Young Vic, and was the inaugural Creative Team Associate in Lighting on the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's production of 'Romeo and Juliet' in May 2021.

Previous productions

Current credits

Show name Type Venue/Company Role Creative team Closes
The Importance of Being... Earnest? Theatre Pleasance Courtyard & UK Tour, then touring
Say It Again, Sorry?
Lighting Designer Director: Simon Paris
Set designer: Trynity Silk
14 Jul 2024

Previous productions

Show name Type Venue/Company Role Creative Team Opened
Protest Theatre Traverse Theatre, then touring
Fuel
Touring Re-Lighter Lighting designer: Ali Hunter
Director: Natalie Ibu
Set designer: Amy Jane Cook
Jan 2024
The Pursuit of Joy Theatre Jermyn Street Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Brigitte Adela
Jan 2024
The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse Theatre Clore Studio, Unicorn Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Rachel Bagshaw
Set designer: Male Arcucci
Nov 2023
Passing Theatre Park Theatre, Park 90
Want The Moon
Lighting Designer Director: Imy Wyatt Corner
Nov 2023
Rip Van Winkle Opera Hoxton Hall
Gothic Opera
Lighting Designer Director: Evangeline Cullingworth
Set designer: Elliott Squire
Oct 2023
Sorry We Didn't Die at Sea Theatre Park Theatre - Park90
The Playwright's Laboratory
Lighting Designer Director: Daniel Emery
Set designer: Alys Whitehead
Sep 2023
Birthright Theatre Finborough Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Scott Hurran
Set designer: Raphaella Philcox
Sep 2023
Public: The Musical Musical Pleasance Courtyard
Stroud & Notes
Lighting Designer Director: Hannah Sands
Set designer: Tara Usher
Aug 2023
Wonderdrug Theatre Pleasance Courtyard Lighting Designer Director: Helen Eastman
Set designer: Mollie Cheek
Aug 2023
Agrippina Opera Jackson's Lane Theatre
Hampstead Garden Opera
Lighting Designer Director: Ashley Pearson
Set designer: Sorcha Corcoran
May 2023
Acid's Reign Theatre The Flair Ground, VAULT Festival
Relish Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Luke Howarth
Set designer: Caitlin Mawhinney
Mar 2023
Wonderdrug Theatre King's Head Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Helen Eastman
Set designer: Mollie Cheek
Feb 2023
SNAIL Theatre The Cage, Vault Festival Lighting Designer Director: Imy Wyatt Corner
Set designer: Cat Fuller
Feb 2023
Five Years With The White Man Theatre The Studio, Vault Festival
Unleash The Llama
Lighting Designer Director: Sam Rayner
Feb 2023
Wonderdrug Theatre Network Theatre, Vault Festival Lighting Designer Director: Helen Eastman
Set designer: Mollie Cheek
Feb 2023
The Oyster Problem Theatre Jermyn Street Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Philip Wilson
Set designer: Isabella Van Braeckel
Feb 2023
Scratches Theatre The Cage, Vault Festival
Plain Heroines
Lighting Designer Director: Gabriella Bird
Jan 2023
Cybil Service Theatre The Flair Ground, VAULT Festival Lighting Designer Jan 2023
Anansi the Spider Theatre Weston, Unicorn Theatre Associate Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Jai Morjaria
Director: Justin Audibert and Alice Wordsworth
Set designer: Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey
Jan 2023
Lesbian Space Crime Theatre Soho Theatre Upstairs
Airlock Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Set designer: Cory Shipp
Dec 2022
Cassandra Theatre Omnibus Theatre
Live Canon
Lighting Designer Director: Helen Eastman
Set designer: Neil Irish
Oct 2022
Time and Tide Theatre Stage Two, Norwich Theatre Royal, then touring
Relish Theatre
Lighting Designer Set designer: Caitlin Abbot Sep 2022
Paradise Lost Opera The Shipwright Lighting Designer Director: Joseph Winters
Aug 2022
The Boatswain's Mate Opera Arcola Studio 1, then touring
Spectra Ensemble
Lighting Designer Director: Cecilia Stinton
Set designer: Ellie Roser
Aug 2022
Duck Theatre Jermyn Street Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Imy Wyatt Corner
Jul 2022
Shake the City Theatre Jermyn Street Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Amie Burns-Walker
Jul 2022
The Anarchist Theatre Jermyn Street Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Ebenezer Bamgboye
Set designer: Caitlin Mawhinney
Jul 2022
Urinetown: The Musical Musical Bridewell Theatre
International College of Musical Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Kenneth Avery-Clark
Jun 2022
Dolly Theatre Park Theatre, Park 90 Lighting Designer Director: Emily Aboud
May 2022
This Last Piece of Sky Theatre The Space Lighting Designer Director: Sibylla Archdale Kalid
May 2022
An Intervention Theatre Riverside Studios
Murmuration Studios
Lighting Designer Director: Alice Wordsworth
May 2022
Another America Theatre Park Theatre, Park 90 Lighting Designer Director: Joe Winters
Apr 2022
Definitely, Maybe, Actually, Nevermind Theatre The Space
Haus of Bollix
Lighting Designer Director: Kate Bauer
Mar 2022
Serena Flynn: Lizard King Theatre Camden People's Theatre, then touring Lighting Designer Director: Evie Fehilly
Set designer: Roisin Martindale
Mar 2022
The Marriage of Alice B Toklas by Gertrude Stein Theatre Jermyn Street Theatre Associate Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Ali Hunter
Director: Edward Einhorn
Set designer: Machiko Weston
Mar 2022
Running With Lions Theatre Lyric Hammersmith
Talawa Theatre Company
Associate Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Aideen Malone
Director: Michael Buffong
Set designer: Soutra Gilmour
Feb 2022
Best of Enemies: Best Seat In Your House Broadcast Theatre Young Vic & online Associate Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Paule Constable
Director: Jeremy Herrin
Set designer: Bunny Christie
Jan 2022
The 4th Country Theatre Park Theatre, Park 90
Plain Heroines
Lighting Designer Director: Gabriella Bird
Set designer: Jida Akil
Jan 2022
How We Love Theatre Theatre Peckham
Airlock Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Oct 2021
Hamlet: Best Seat In Your House Broadcast Theatre Young Vic & online Associate Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Aideen Malone
Director: Greg Hersov
Set designer: Anna Fleischle
Oct 2021
Tuna Theatre Alexandra Palace
Airlock Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Oct 2021
Patient Light Theatre The Undercroft
Eastern Angles
Lighting Designer Director: Scott Hurran
Set designer: Peter Butler
Oct 2021
Dumbledore Is So Gay Theatre Pleasance Theatre Main Stage Associate Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Rory Beaton
Director: Tom Wright
Set designer: Natalie Johnson
Sep 2021
I Have Heard You Calling in the Night Theatre Union Theatre
Baylis Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Sibylla Archdale Kalid
Sep 2021
Hot Gay Time Machine Theatre Soho Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Lucy Moss
Aug 2021
How We Love Theatre Arcola Outside
Airlock Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Aug 2021
The Establishment versus Sidney Harry Fox Theatre Above the Stag
Boys of The Empire
Lighting Designer Director: Glenn Chandler
Jul 2021
Romeo and Juliet Theatre Regent's Park Open Air Theatre Associate Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Ciaran Bagnall
Director: Kimberley Sykes
Set designer: Naomi Dawson
Jun 2021
Take Care Theatre Network Theatre, Vault Festival
Écoute Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Zoe Templeman-Young
Mar 2020
How We Love Theatre The Cage, Vault Festival
Airlock Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Feb 2020
The 4th Country Theatre The Crypt, Vault Festival
Plain Heroines
Lighting Designer Director: Gabriella Bird
Feb 2020
Tuna Theatre The Studio, Vault Festival
Airlock Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Feb 2020
Venus and Adonis Theatre CLF Art Cafe Theatre
New Renaissance Collective
Lighting Designer Director: Sam Rayner
Set designer: Nik Corrall
Dec 2019
Shook Theatre Southwark Playhouse 'The Little'
Papatango Theatre Company
Assistant Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Johanna Town
Director: George Turvey
Set designer: Jasmine Swan
Oct 2019
Botticelli in the Fire Theatre Hampstead Theatre Associate Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Johanna Town
Director: Blanche McIntyre
Set designer: James Cotterill
Oct 2019
She Sells Sea Shells Theatre Iron Belly
Scandal and Gallows Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Madeleine Skipsey
Aug 2019
Tuna Theatre King's Head Theatre
Airlock Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Jul 2019
Maklena Theatre Camden People's Theatre
Night Train Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Maria Montague
Set designer: Nikki Charlesworth
Jun 2019
The Flies - Les Mouches Theatre The Bunker Theatre
Exchange Theatre
Production Electrician Lighting designer: Julien Bernard Grau
Director: David Furlong
Set designer: Ninon Fandre
Jun 2019
A Girl, Standing Theatre Theatre503
Back Talk Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Liam Blain
Set designer: Anna Reid
May 2019
ERIS Theatre The Bunker Theatre
Airlock Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Set designer: Natalie Johnson
Sep 2018
Maklena Theatre Cambridge Junction, then touring
Night Train Theatre Company
Associate Lighting Designer Lighting designer: Rory Beaton
Director: Maria Montague
Set designer: Nikki Charlesworth
Jul 2018
Rabbit Theatre Theatre N16
Protocol Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Mar 2018
Wife Theatre OSO Arts Centre, Jermyn Street Theatre
Airlock Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Oct 2017
Hot Gay Time Machine Non-professional Corpus Playroom Lighting Designer Director: Lucy Moss
Feb 2017
Hamlet Non-professional ADC Theatre & on tour round Europe, then touring
Cambridge European Theatre Group
Lighting Designer Director: Emma Blacklay-Piech
Dec 2016
Kursk Non-professional Bedlam Theatre
Airlock Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Set designer: Jack Parham
Aug 2016
Madwomen in the Attic Non-professional C nova
Plain Heroines
Lighting Designer Director: Gabriella Bird
Aug 2016
Lagoon: The Cambridge Footlights International Tour Show Non-professional ADC Theatre, Assembly Roxy, and US tour
Cambridge Footlights
Lighting Designer Director: Tom Fairbairn
Jun 2016
West Side Story Non-professional ADC Theatre
Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club
Lighting Designer Director: Ellie Coote and Tom Taplin
Mar 2016
Measure for Measure Non-professional Cambridge Arts Theatre
The Marlowe Society
Assistant Lighting Designer Lighting designer: William Reynolds
Director: Tom Littler
Set designer: Simon Kenny
Feb 2016
Tribes Non-professional ADC Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Set designer: Jack Parham
Nov 2015
Titus Andronicus Non-professional C+2 Edinburgh Festival Lighting Designer Director: Gregory Forrest
Aug 2015
A Midsummer Night's Dream Theatre C Cubed
Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club
Lighting Designer Director: Sarah Stacey and Chloe Slattery
Aug 2015
Othello Non-professional ADC Theatre
Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club
Lighting Designer Director: Robbie Taylor Hunt
Set designer: Emily Barker
May 2015
Cabin Pressure Non-professional Corpus Playroom
The Fletcher Players
Lighting Designer Director: Marthe de Ferrer and Joe Winters
Mar 2015
Attempts on Her Life Non-professional Corpus Playroom Lighting Designer Director: Tania Clarke
Feb 2015
Location availability:
  • Worldwide
Contact method Details
Email address catjahamilton@gmail.com
Theatre:
  • Regional (Studio)
  • Small Scale Touring
  • Fringe / Pub Theatre
  • Education Establishment
  • Touring relights
Musical:
  • Small Scale / Fringe
  • Education Establishment
Opera:
  • Small scale
Education:
  • Workshops

News

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

Press quotes

Rip Van Winkle

'the superb lighting by Catja Hamilton...was inspired!'
John Groves, LondonTheatre1 31/10/2023
'Catja Hamilton’s lighting raise[s] this production to another level'
Franco Milazzo, BroadwayWorld 29/10/2023

Sorry We Didn't Die at Sea

'Catja Hamilton’s lighting add[s] fantastic dramatic and absurd flourishes to the unsettling production'
Claire Roderick, Fairy Powered Productions 16/09/2023

Birthright

Catja Hamilton’s lighting is also excellent and makes wonderful use of chiaroscuro effects to heighten the tension
John Chapman, 2nd From Bottom 09/09/2023
Catja Hamilton’s lighting is evocative and tenebrous
Simon Jenner, Fringe Review 08/09/2023

Acid's Reign

I really enjoyed Catja Hamilton's lighting design, particularly using the set glitter balls to make the whole show sparkle
Jennifer Laishley, CentreStage 19/03/2023
the lighting by Catja Hamilton was bright, colourful and atmospheric
Harry Brogan, Harry Theatre Life 19/03/2023
From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, Catja Hamilton’s lighting design is excellent. It is suitably glitzy and glamorous, making use of the glitterball set, without being overbearing or overpowering. Given likely-limited parameters to work with by the very nature of fringe theatre, it is a notable achievement in itself that the lighting design was even noticed, let alone that it added significant value to the piece.
Harry Bower, All That Dazzles 15/03/2023
colourful joyous lighting
Richard Lambert, Theatre Reviews Design 14/03/2023

The Anarchist

Bamgboye provides some striking staging assisted by Catja Hamilton's abrasive lighting
Julia Rank, The Stage 11/07/2022
cleverly effective work from set designer Catlin Mawhinney and lighting designer Catja Hamilton
Miriam Gillinson, The Guardian 11/07/2022

The 4th Country

'Catja Hamilton’s use of blue and purple washes lend an eerie feeling to the piece, atmospherically silhouetting the actors.'
Ruth Comerford, The Stage 18/02/2020
'The lighting designed by Catja Hamilton [...] mirror[s] the sadness and hopelessness of the stories told. Lighting is also used to highlight transitions between scenes, with the use of silhouette focus[ing] audience attention on the changing of the actors into their roles.'
Bethany-Jane Christian, Theatre Weekly 13/02/2020

Tuna

'[Suppa is] aided by the confident hand of Catja Hamilton’s lighting design, which subtly marks the changing moods.'
Euan Vincent, The Play's The Thing 12/02/2020

Venus and Adonis

'hauntingly lit'
The Prickle 10/12/2019

ERIS

Airlock Theatre's polished production - currently at the Bunker Theatre (and, to Johnson and lighting designer Catja Hamilton's credit, made for that space)
Arthur Jones, Arthur's Seat 17/10/2018
a master class in how to bring to life an otherwise sparse stage, (credit to lighting designer Catja Hamilton)
Jack The Lad Mag 26/09/2018

Hamlet

carefully crafted and fantastically executed lighting
Genevieve Cox, Varsity 18/01/2017

West Side Story

the contrasts between shadowy, filtered light in the darker scenes, and luminous spotlights of radiance in the romantic scenes starkly compare to create a balanced atmosphere for this gritty urban drama.
Ella Whiddett, Varisty 11/03/2016

Tribes

the naturalistic yet effective lighting design from Catja Hamilton gave the production a very professional edge, even before the play had started
Rosie Brown, The Tab

Othello

The lighting and sound design were together one of my favourite features of the play. The harsh orange light and pounding music of the pre-interval and ultimate scenes, combined with the superb acting in these moments, made me catch my breath.
Megan Dunne, Cambridge Theatre Review 20/05/2015
creatively atmospheric lighting design
The Tab