In the glittering world of stagecraft, where light and shadow shape not only the scene but also the mood, one name in particular stands out: Mikki Kunttu. Known for his captivating and innovative lighting and stage designs, Kunttu has redefined the way we experience theatre and performance. It is therefore an extraordinary honour and an exciting moment for Prolight + Sound to announce that Mikki Kunttu will be delivering a keynote at the upcoming show.
Under the title “The thruline and the unspoken resonance – what I look for in a theatrical design”, Kunttu will give insights into his life as a designer and show how his profession affects his life. Using specific examples from his own career, he will show the audience how key elements of his impressive works have come about and how he makes important decisions for his designs. From pre-production to post-production, Kunttu will provide a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process and will also explain the role that the “art by chance” approach plays in his work.
A master of his trade as a guest at Prolight + Sound 2024
The visionary stage designer was due to give a keynote speech about his production of the ballet Swan Lake back in 2020. After the fair could not take place that year due to the pandemic, we are very pleased to have Kunttu back as a speaker this year.
It is of course a great honour to be able to give a keynote speech at PLS. Needless to say, the importance of this event in our world of lighting and visual design is obvious. PLS is a large-scale event, but at the same time, for many of us entertainment gypsies, it’s like a class reunion. I can’t wait to see many familiar faces at PLS and spend some time with them.
With over 30 years of experience in show business, Mikki Kunttu can provide valuable insights into the world of stage design. Born in Finland, he has been working as a lighting and set designer since the age of 18 and has made a name for himself particularly in dance, but also in theatre, light music, opera, television and industrial art. His educational path led him to graduate from the Tampere University of Applied Sciences’ Media and Arts programme in 1995, specialising in lighting and sound design. After graduating, he began his career at the Tampere Concert Hall. Since then, he has brought numerous interesting projects to life with his inventiveness and expertise.
His extensive portfolio includes notable shows for prestigious institutions and events, including the Finnish National Ballet, the Finnish National Opera, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and Cirque du Soleil. In these projects he has not only provided sets, lighting and projection design, but has also excelled in the creation of screen content and stage design for productions such as “Swan Lake” at the Royal Danish Ballet.
His skills have also been showcased at major events such as the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö and 2016 in Stockholm, the opening of the Ice Hockey World Championships 2012 in Helsinki and concerts by artists such as Michael Monroe, KTU, Finnish accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen, Nightwish, Chisu, Apocalyptica and Demolition. Between 2021 and 2023, Kunttu was also responsible for the production design of Wagner’s Ring at the Finnish National Opera.
Keynote presentation by Mikki Kunttu: Don’t miss it!
Get ready for an extraordinary journey through the mind of a master of his craft, inviting you to discover the hidden dimensions of theatrical design and understand what it really means to not just light up a stage, but to bring it to life. Make a note of the keynote here in our Prolight + Sound event calendar.