Neil Koivu at a lighting console on site

Neil Koivu is a freelance lighting designer in the Metro Detroit area

Neil Koivu is a versatile and passionate lighting designer with over a decade of professional experience. A Wilde Award nominee for the remount of Eric Gutman’s From Broadway to Obscurity with Detroit Public Theatre, Neil brings artistry and technical expertise to every project.

Throughout his career, Neil has showcased his talents as a Lighting Designer, Sound Designer, Scenic Designer, and Production Electrician. His impressive portfolio includes concerts with celebrated performers such as Thornetta Davis, Chita Rivera, Patti LuPone, Charles Strouse, Bebe Neuwirth, and Barbara Cook. Highlights from Neil's extensive repertoire include:

  • Native Gardens, Blues in the Night, and Little Shop of Horrors at Meadow Brook Theatre

  • Guys and Dolls and Anything Goes for Nicely Theatre Group

  • The 39 Steps, A Comedy of Tenors, and The Miss Firecracker Contest at Tipping Point Theatre

  • American Hero and From Broadway to Obscurity with Detroit Public Theatre

  • Invasion! and The Lonesome West at Planet Ant Theatre

  • Cabaret, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and the annual production of The Diary of Anne Frank with the Jewish Ensemble Theatre.

Neil's work blends artistic vision with a commitment to storytelling, creating designs that enhance every production’s emotional impact. His dedication to the craft has made him a trusted collaborator in the performing arts community.

My recent Instagram posts

Happy opening to The Angel Next Door at @meadowbrooktheatre Directed by @travis.walter.31 Scenic design by Donna Beagle Costume design by @costumesbymarley Lighting design by @neilkoivu Sound design by @brendan.j.eaton
Happy opening to The Angel Next Door at @meadowbrooktheatre Directed by @travis.walter.31 Scenic design by Donna Beagle Costume design by @costumesbymarley Lighting design by @neilkoivu Sound design by @brendan.j.eaton
Just updating my website (link in the bio) to add a couple of shows this year. Ready for the new year to begin to do a couple more shows, and applying to hopefully design a show over the summer.
Just updating my website (link in the bio) to add a couple of shows this year. Ready for the new year to begin to do a couple more shows, and applying to hopefully design a show over the summer.
Another #throwbackthursday this time to A Little More Alive at @meadowbrooktheatre. It was a great show to work on this past season
Another #throwbackthursday this time to A Little More Alive at @meadowbrooktheatre. It was a great show to work on this past season
#stageshotsunday happy closing to @nicelytheatre Guys and Dolls; the haze is reacting very well today. Must be that matinee air flow.
#stageshotsunday happy closing to @nicelytheatre Guys and Dolls; the haze is reacting very well today. Must be that matinee air flow.
#fohfriday I’m not usually running a show on a Friday night but here I am at Front of House for @nicelytheatre Guys and Dolls tonight.
#fohfriday I’m not usually running a show on a Friday night but here I am at Front of House for @nicelytheatre Guys and Dolls tonight.
Going into weekend 2 of @nicelytheatre Guys and Dolls here are my Act 2 pictures, 3 more performances to go. Directed by @masters.mitchell Scenic Design by @eric.w.maher Lighting design by @neilkoivu Props by @campd and Michael Campion Costumes b
Going into weekend 2 of @nicelytheatre Guys and Dolls here are my Act 2 pictures, 3 more performances to go. Directed by @masters.mitchell Scenic Design by @eric.w.maher Lighting design by @neilkoivu Props by @campd and Michael Campion Costumes by Karen Sound by @backstage_noel
#throwbackthursday to @nicelytheatre Drowsy Chaperone while we’re in between Nicely’s Guys and Dolls weekends.
#throwbackthursday to @nicelytheatre Drowsy Chaperone while we’re in between Nicely’s Guys and Dolls weekends.
Happy opening to @nicelytheatre production of Guys and Dolls. Directed by @masters.mitchell Scenic design by @eric.w.maher Lighting design by @neilkoivu Costumes by Karen Page Props by Michael Campion and @campd Sound by @backstage_noel
Happy opening to @nicelytheatre production of Guys and Dolls. Directed by @masters.mitchell Scenic design by @eric.w.maher Lighting design by @neilkoivu Costumes by Karen Page Props by Michael Campion and @campd Sound by @backstage_noel
#throwbackthursday getting ready for @nicelytheatre’s production of Guys and Dolls opening next weekend brings me back to doing Pippin this time 2 years ago. #TBT
#throwbackthursday getting ready for @nicelytheatre’s production of Guys and Dolls opening next weekend brings me back to doing Pippin this time 2 years ago. #TBT
Happy world Theatre Day. Here are a selection of shows I’ve done over the past year.
Happy world Theatre Day. Here are a selection of shows I’ve done over the past year.
Happy opening for Native Gardens at @meadowbrooktheatre! Such a great place to work and design! Directed by @travis.walter.31 Scenic design by @cltausney Lighting design by @neilkoivu Costume Design by Krista Brown Sound Design by @mikeduncansoun
Happy opening for Native Gardens at @meadowbrooktheatre! Such a great place to work and design! Directed by @travis.walter.31 Scenic design by @cltausney Lighting design by @neilkoivu Costume Design by Krista Brown Sound Design by @mikeduncansound
Happy opening for A Little More Alive at @meadowbrooktheatre sadly I can’t be at opening night because I have a Rare Earth concert to light tonight, but it’s a great show everyone should go see. I’m very happy with it. Directed by
Happy opening for A Little More Alive at @meadowbrooktheatre sadly I can’t be at opening night because I have a Rare Earth concert to light tonight, but it’s a great show everyone should go see. I’m very happy with it. Directed by @travis.walter.31 Scenic Design by @bk.kess Lighting Design by @neilkoivu Costumes by @costumesbymarley Sound by @mikeduncansound
Happy opening to The Angel Next Door at @meadowbrooktheatre Directed by @travis.walter.31 Scenic design by Donna Beagle Costume design by @costumesbymarley Lighting design by @neilkoivu Sound design by @brendan.j.eaton Just updating my website (link in the bio) to add a couple of shows this year. Ready for the new year to begin to do a couple more shows, and applying to hopefully design a show over the summer. Another #throwbackthursday this time to A Little More Alive at @meadowbrooktheatre. It was a great show to work on this past season #stageshotsunday happy closing to @nicelytheatre Guys and Dolls; the haze is reacting very well today. Must be that matinee air flow. #fohfriday I’m not usually running a show on a Friday night but here I am at Front of House for @nicelytheatre Guys and Dolls tonight. Going into weekend 2 of @nicelytheatre Guys and Dolls here are my Act 2 pictures, 3 more performances to go. Directed by @masters.mitchell Scenic Design by @eric.w.maher Lighting design by @neilkoivu Props by @campd and Michael Campion Costumes b #throwbackthursday to @nicelytheatre Drowsy Chaperone while we’re in between Nicely’s Guys and Dolls weekends. Happy opening to @nicelytheatre production of Guys and Dolls. Directed by @masters.mitchell Scenic design by @eric.w.maher Lighting design by @neilkoivu Costumes by Karen Page Props by Michael Campion and @campd Sound by @backstage_noel #throwbackthursday getting ready for @nicelytheatre’s production of Guys and Dolls opening next weekend brings me back to doing Pippin this time 2 years ago. #TBT Happy world Theatre Day. Here are a selection of shows I’ve done over the past year. Happy opening for Native Gardens at @meadowbrooktheatre! Such a great place to work and design! Directed by @travis.walter.31 Scenic design by @cltausney Lighting design by @neilkoivu Costume Design by Krista Brown Sound Design by @mikeduncansoun Happy opening for A Little More Alive at @meadowbrooktheatre sadly I can’t be at opening night because I have a Rare Earth concert to light tonight, but it’s a great show everyone should go see. I’m very happy with it. Directed by

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