In this episode of Pioneers in Light, we spotlight Jean Rosenthal (1912–1969), a trailblazer who transformed stage lighting into an art form. Known for her collaborations with modern dance pioneers like Martha Graham and theatre innovators such as Orson Welles, Rosenthal elevated lighting from a technical necessity to a poetic element of performance.

Her approach was less about creating spectacle and more about sculpting space with light—supporting movement, narrative, and atmosphere with subtlety and precision. By introducing new techniques and vocabulary, Rosenthal helped define the role of the lighting designer as an artist, not just a technician.

Her legacy continues to inspire both theatre and architectural lighting designers today, reminding us that light, at its best, is choreography for the eye.