$100,000 Siminovitch Prize in Theatre Awarded to Lighting Designer, Robert Thomson

	Robert Thomson

The founders of the Elinore and Lou Siminovitch Prize in Theatre announced that Montréal-based lighting designer, Robert Thomson, was selected as the recipient of the 2012 Elinore and Lou Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, the largest theatre award in the Canada.

Thomson was chosen from a short list of five finalists including Alan Brodie (Vancouver), Richard Feren (Toronto), Anick La Bissonière (Montréal), and Richard Lacroix (Montréal).

Thomson is widely recognized as one of Canada's most prolific and versatile lighting designers for theatre, opera, and dance. His work is noted for its precision, visual poetry, psychological insight, and dramaturgical impact, and his acclaimed designs have garnered a Sterling Award and four Dora Mavor Moore Awards.

"In making its decision, the jury was inspired not only by this artist's stunningly beautiful body of work but also by his passion, joy, and spirit," said Maureen Labonté, jury chair. "His work as a lighting designer is mesmerizing. It is sensitive, fresh, bold, and visceral. He deftly conducts the visual experience with focus and clarity, suggesting, never dictating, ways of seeing moment to moment. He delves deep, insisting on getting at the very core of the work. He helps tell the story and then enhances it with the visual poetry of his lighting."

"I am absolutely thrilled and humbled to be selected as the recipient of the Siminovitch Award," said Thomson. "It is such a great honor to be chosen from such a distinguished group of colleagues, who are amongst Canada's finest theatre designers."

Thomson received a check for $75,000 at a gala ceremony in Toronto. In keeping with his commitment to sharing his knowledge and experience with his colleagues as well as with younger artists, he has selected two lighting designers, Jason Hand and Raha Javanfar, as his protégés. They will share the $25,000 prize. The Siminovitch Prize is set up in this way to put an emphasis on the role of mentorship in Canadian theatre.

"On behalf of the founders, I would like to congratulate Mr. Thomson on his outstanding achievements and contribution to the Canadian stage," said Joseph Rotman, chair of the Canada Council and one of the Founders of the Siminovitch Prize. "This prize recognizes the excellence that Robert has demonstrated throughout his career. His work continuously illustrates the important role creative stage lighting plays to affect an audience's senses and evoke their emotions."

Over 12 consecutive seasons at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Thomson's 28 productions include collaborations with Jonathan Miller, Jennifer Tarver, Peter Hinton, Christopher Newton, Des McAnuff, and Antoni Cimolino. He served as resident lighting designer for 12 seasons at The National Ballet of Canada, designing over 25 productions, and through 24 seasons at the Shaw Festival (10 as head of lighting design) he is credited on more than 55 productions.

Thomson began his professional career at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto. Since then, he has worked with a diverse range of Canadian companies, including the: National Arts Centre, Canadian Stage, Citadel Theatre, MTC, Pleiades Theatre, and Montreal's Centaur Theatre and Segal Centre. Internationally, his designs have been featured at: Lincoln Center Theater, Metropolitan Opera, Goodman Theatre, Hartford Stage, American Ballet Theatre, and Stuttgart Ballet.

Thomson trained at The Studio and Forum of Stage Design in NYC, and has taught at Sheridan College, Ryerson University, Carnegie Mellon University, and the National Theatre School of Canada.

Jason Hand is a Toronto-based lighting designer working in theatre and opera. This past season he received a Dora nomination for his design of The Ugly One for Theatre Smash. Raha Javanfar has designed lighting and projections for theatre, dance, art installation, and opera. She has toured extensively across Canada, as well as abroad.

The 2012 Siminovitch Prize Jury included: Maureen Labonté, jury chair; Alison Green; Jock Munro; Leigh Ann Vardy; and Shawn Kerwin.

The Elinore and Lou Siminovitch Prize in Theatre honors professional directors, playwrights, and designers by acknowledging excellence and encouraging further exploration in Canadian theatre. The Siminovitch Prize was created in 2001 and is dedicated to distinguished scientist Lou Siminovitch and his late wife Elinore, a playwright.