About

BIOGRAPHY

Sam Crowe (he/him/his) is a Lighting Designer and Associate based in Pittsburgh, PA. His work spans theatre, dance and events. Sam’s work has been seen throughout the region with companies and venues such as Pittsburgh CLO/CLO Academy, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Kelly Strayhorn Theater/Alloy Studios, City Theatre, Texture Contemporary Ballet, Quantum Theatre, MCG Jazz, Pittsburgh Jazz Seminar, Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra, Carnegie Mellon University, Bridges Theatre Company, CBS Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Playhouse. He has designed for national talents including Billy Porter, Darienne Lake, Mrs. Kasha Davis, and Joe Serafini. Sam served as the Lighting Designer for the 2025 National High School Dance Festival. Sam holds a BFA in Theatre Production with a concentration in Lighting from the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University. Sam was a participant of the 2025 Hemsley Lighting Portfolio Review.

ARTISTIC PHILOSOPHY

As a lighting designer, my philosophy centers on the concept of importance. What about a particular show is most significant in the moment, and how can I highlight that through my work? What is the most crucial element of a scene at any given time? Is it the location, the time, the character relationships, or the mood? How do these priorities shape the lighting choices throughout the production? I take pride in not adhering to a specific "style" but rather tailoring the aesthetic of the lighting to reflect the unique qualities of the work it supports. Ultimately, our goal is to give the audience something they didn’t bring with them when they entered – a new understanding or emotional experience. What do we want the audience to leave with?In a world that is constantly changing, the stories we tell on stage must respond to the world around us. I believe that theater should reflect the times we live in, and lighting plays a vital role in shaping how those stories are experienced. I am particularly passionate about political theater and works that address social change, as I believe they are both the most impactful and rewarding projects to work on.