Jeff McCrum comes to FDA with a wealth of experience in architectural and theatrical lighting design and a strong background in theatre. His previous stints at important regional theatres like The Pittsburgh Public, Steppenwolf, and The Goodman have given Jeff a unique perspective on the way theatres work. He has over 20 years’ experience with the possibilities and demands of a variety of spaces, including intimate and flexible spaces, religious institutions, broadcast studios, and large multipurpose theaters.

With FDA, Jeff has designed theatrical lighting systems for The MUNY, Broadway’s Helen Hayes, Jazz at Lincoln Center, TheaterWorks (Hartford), BlueBarn Theatre, The New School Mannes, Great Lakes Performing Arts Center, and clubs in Ian Schrager’s Public Hotel and West Hollywood Edition.

Prior to his work at FDA, Jeff developed his skills at Fisher Marantz Stone as a designer and project manager for architectural lighting and systems for a range of projects, such as JFK’s jetBlue Terminal 5, the University of Hawaii West Oahu, and many of the new World Trade Center projects in Lower Manhattan. His resume includes broadcast lighting and systems design for CNN, as well as several years assisting lighting designer Imero Fiorentino on special projects. He is a LEED Accredited Professional (AP) with a Building Design and Construction credential, and was the architectural lighting project manager for the newest LEED theatre in New York City, Brooklyn’s Theatre For a New Audience.

Jeff is also an award-winning night photographer whose work has appeared in gallery shows nationwide. He works as a projection-mapping artist, and has created site-specific video pieces for the Beaux Arts Ball, Bring to Light, and the Park Avenue Armory. In what spare time he has, he is an insatiable reader and is the man to talk to if you would like to discuss Antarctic expeditions from the early 20th century.

He earned his MFA in Design for Stage and Film from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and a BFA in Lighting Design from Point Park University. Jeff is a frequent speaker, and has presented at USITT annual conferences and at KC/ACTF Workshops, as well as at colleges and universities across the country.