On Sunday, June 2, just a week before he won another Tony for his lighting of Lucky Guy on Broadway, lighting designer Jules Fisher received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from his alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University, for his outstanding contribution to the fields of lighting design and theatre planning. A statement released by the University described Fisher as “an innovative leader… few have shaped their field as Jules Fisher has.” The statement also recognized him as “a mentor and advocate of numerous young designers, extending opportunities to generations of Carnegie Mellon students.”
READ ABOUT FISHER'S AWARD-WINNING LIGHTING FOR LUCKY GUY
After receiving his degree during the university’s graduation ceremony, Fisher was invited to give a keynote to the 2013 graduates of the Theatre department, in which he shared practical advice on shaping their futures in the field. Fisher has also served as the creative consultant for Live Design's Broadway Lighting Master Classes, a post he has held since the inception of the BLMC in 1993.
Past CMU honorary degree recipients in the performing arts include soprano Renée Fleming, conductor Keith Lockhart, and pianist Earl Wild.