Brian Bembridge  is a 2008/2009 Ovation Nominee for Lighting Design for BATTLE HYMN at Circle X Theatre. He was previously nominated for Lighting Design in 2006 for his work in THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV and for his work in Circle X Theatre’s production of EURYDICE in 2007.

If you’d like to add a congratulatory message for Brian (or any other Nominee or Nominated Company), to the Ovation Awards commemorative poster (distributed to all nominees and all attendees at the Ceremony), click here!

As an Ovation Award Nominee, LA Stage asked Brian the following questions:

What was the moment that first inspired you to pursue working in the theatre?

The ridlen I was on as a child, and the lead paint. It was the 70’s we could lick the lead paint, which is why I always try to use it on a set…OK maybe not.

What do you feel made the production you were nominated for particularly successful, either overall or for you specifically?

Battle Hymn was one the the freshest shows I have ever worked on.  It created abuzz in LA, both the LA TImes and LA Weekly reviewed it and then wrote editorials about it. And three names, John Langs, Jim Leonard, and Tim Wright….and an Ensemble to die for.

What project or projects are you currently working on?

I just opened 9 shows in three months, including three productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and three world premiers, including TREE with Ensemble Studio Theatre LA.  I am currently designing two productions of  Romeo and Juliet,  one at the Arden Theatre and the other opens Chicago Shakespeare’s season in 2010, Hephaestus at the Goodman with Lookingglass (set& lights), a World Premier at The Alliance Theatre, Tennis in Nablus, Yankee Tavern at Milwaukee Repertory.

What do you love most about theatre in Los Angeles?

The amazing things we do with so little money but mostly John Langs.  You should meet this man, he is amazing.

What’s your dream project?

Designing a musical review that takes place on the space shuttle.

Biography: Brian Sidney Bembridge is a member of Lookingglass Theatre Company and Circle X Theatre Company and an Artistic Associate of Timeline Theatre Company, Teatro Vista, and Uma Productions. Off-Broadway: Jean Cocteau Repertory, Kids With Guns Theater Company, Theatre at St Clement’s. National Tours: Chicago Shakespeare. Los Angeles: Circle X Theatre Company, Golden Mean of Production, Ensemble Studio Theatre LA, Power House Theater.  Chicago: Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Second City, Court Theatre, Chicago Theater, Writers’ Theatre, Ravinia Music Festival, Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower/Oakbrook, Luna Negra Dance Theatre, Chicago Civic Ballet, Next Theater, Famous Door Theater Company, The Gift Theatre, Pine Box Theatre Company, Naked Eye Theatre Company, Bailiwick Repertory, Noble Fool Theatricals, Live Bait Theater, among others. Regional: Guthrie Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Children’s Theatre Company, California Shakespeare, Maltz Jupiter Theater, Two River Theater, Virginia Opera, Opera Omaha, The Arden Theatre, The Second City Toronto, Milwaukee Repertory, Madison Repertory, among others. Honors: Five Joseph Jefferson Awards, five After Dark Awards including Outstanding Season, two LA Drama Critic Circle Awards, two Garland Awards and an LA Weekly Award. Mr. Bembridge was named one of the top nine emerging designers in North America Entertainment Design magazine. Film: Wallace Shawn’s Marie and Bruce, Holding Out, MANFAST, Stray Dogs, Late for Church, Muppets from Space. BFA from North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Design and Production. briansidneybembridge.com.

For a full list of Ovation nominees, or for information about the Ovation Awards Ceremony on January 11th, click here!