Episode #124
Projection & Video Design for Theatre with Hana S. Kim
Projection & Video Design for Theatre
What role does projection, video, and media design play in shaping a theatrical production? In this episode, Jennifer chats with Tony Award winning projection and video designer Hana S. Kim who invites us into her world where ideas transform into powerful visual landscapes on stage. From her roots in graphic design in Seoul to designing for Broadway in productions like Redwood, Real Women Have Curves, and The Outsiders, Hana shares how her creative process always starts and breaks down how she builds visual language from emotional concepts, mood boards, and textures before layering in technical tools. She explains how each production is unique, and how her work blends into the overall storytelling alongside lighting, scenic, and sound designers. Together they unpack the various ways video and projection design impact storytelling, who is a part of the projection design “village,” and the importance of leading with concept and emotions over technology. This episode reminds us that theater is a human-first, real-time art form and that the most impactful design is the kind you don’t even notice.
About Our Guest
About Hana: Hana S. Kim is an immersive media designer and a visual artist for live performances with experience across film and public art from Seoul, South Korea. Her theatrical design work has been seen on across the country and internationally. Her art installations have been shown at the Annenberg Space of Photography in LA, Jordan Downs Recreation Center, Occidental College and Baryshnikov Arts Center in NY. Hana is a recipient of the Tony Awards, the Princess Grace Awards in Theater Design, Richard Sherwood Award from CTG, and Kinetic Lighting Award for distinguished achievement in theatrical design from LA Drama Critics Circle. She was nominated for Lucille Lortel Awards for her work on The Visitor at the Public Theater. Her designs have been recognized by the Helen Hayes Award, Stage Raw Awards, StageSceneLA Awards and Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Awards. She is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. Recent credits include Redwood, Real Women Have Curves, and The Outsiders on Broadway, Orfeo at the Santa Fe Opera, Sumo and The Harder They Come at the Public Theater. She received BFA in visual communication at Seoul National University in South Korea and MFA at University of California, Los Angeles.
Hana’s IG: @hana.s.kim
Hana’s Website: www.hananow.com