Jaron Kent Hermansen Lighting & Projection Designer

Jaron Kent Hermansen is a designer and storyteller who works at the intersection of light, space, and emotion. As Principal Lighting & Projection Designer and Head of Lighting & Video at Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy, Utah, he leads one of the most technically ambitious theatrical environments in the country—an in-the-round venue where the stage lifts, spins, flies, and disappears, and every design has to land from every angle.

With more than two decades of experience, Jaron brings a blend of creative intuition and technical fluency to every production. His work often involves large-scale LED systems, real-time projection mapping, intelligent lighting control, and cue-level integration with complex automation systems. Whether sculpting an intimate moment in a black box or programming hundreds of moving lights around flying performers and massive scenic pieces, he designs with clarity, rhythm, and emotional impact.

He has designed productions across the U.S., including years as Resident Lighting Designer at the historic Cape Playhouse. His work on Little Shop of Horrors there earned him the Gertrude Lawrence Award. He was also instrumental in founding the Intermountain Desert Region of USITT, where he served in multiple leadership roles supporting innovation and education in theatrical design. In addition to his professional work, Jaron has served as a lecturer in design and theatre at Utah Valley University and spent several years as the Technical Director and Resident Designer at the Waterford School in Sandy, Utah.

Jaron’s approach is rooted in collaboration, dramaturgy, and beautiful problem solving. He designs with precision, leads with intention, and believes in the transformative power of a well-timed cue.

Jaron is a full-time employee of Hale Centre Theatre. The views and opinions expressed on this site are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the theatre.