Thomas R. Skelton

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Thomas R. Skelton (1928–1994) became prominent among Broadway lighting designers. By the 1950s he was published regularly in Dance Magazine with his lighting methods. He taught at both Yale University and New York Studio and Forum of Stage Design. Most of his work was within the world of dance, particularly ballet. He designed lighting for The American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, The New York City Ballet and The Ohio Ballet. His method was published as 'The Handbook for Dance Stagecraft' between October 1955 and December 1956 in Dance Magazine.

[edit] Credits

A few of the shows he designed lighting for were:

• The King and I (1977-1978)
• Guys and Dolls (1976-1977)
• Coco (1968-1970)
• Gigi (1973-1974)
• Purlie (1970-1971)
• A Matter of Gravity (1976)
• Death of a Salesman (George C Scott) (1975)
• Death of a Salesman (Michael Rudman) (1984)
• Oklahoma! (1979-1980)
• Peter Pan (1979-1981)
• Brigadoon (1980-1981)

He also designed lighting for numerous productions at the Circle in the Square, Yale Repertory Theatre, and the American Shakespeare Festival. Mr. Skelton received Tony nominations for Indians and All God's Chillun Got Wings.

For the ballet stage he illuminated:

• Jerome Robbins' Dances at a Gathering
• Robert Joffrey's Astarte
• Heinz Poll's Scenes From Childhood
• Jose Limon's The Moor's Pavane
• Paul Taylor's Aureole
• Martha Graham's Rite of Spring
• Kurt Jooss' The Green Table
• Gerald Arpino's Kettantanz
• Leonide Massine's Parade

[edit] Sources

• Thomas R. Skelton. "Handbook of Dance Stagecraft." Dance Magazine. October 1955 to December 1956
• Lighting the Dance
• ABT

[edit] External links

• Broadway Database