Academic and Career Accomplishments
Kirk Bookman graduated from Ravenna High in 1972. He received his undergraduate degree from Kent State and graduate degree from Purdue University.
After graduate school Kirk moved to New York City in 1980 to begin his professional life as a theatrical lighting designer. Since then he has worked on five Broadway shows, both plays and musicals and has designed countless off-Broadway productions. He has worked with many distinguished artists over the course of the years including Julie Harris, Tony Randall, Charles Durning, Charles Nelson Reilly, Ruby Dee, Tony Walton, Michael Tilson Thomas, Pat Birch, Ivan Nagy, Lily Tomlin, Jack Klugman, Charles Busch, Marilyn Horne, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, David Alden, and Christopher Alden.
Kirk has been affiliated with the following prestigious producing organizations: Seattle Rep, Long Wharf Theater, Huntington Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Goodspeed Musicals, Utah Shakespeare, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Seattle Opera company, Minneapolis Opera, English National Ballet, Budapest National Ballet, San Francisco Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic and New World Symphony. Kirk’s work can be seen on two PBS DVD’s, Thomashefskys, and Company with Neil Patrick Harris and the New York Philharmonic.
Kirk has been a guest teacher at Miami University, Carnegie Mellon, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Ohio University, and Boston University. For the United Scenic Artists Union Kirk has been instrumental in streamlining the exam process and helped develop an internship program.
Kirk is an active member of Christ and St. Stephens Episcopal Church in New York City. In 2011 Kirk married Charles Baran.
Kirk Bookman is humbled to be included in this group of artists, business people and humanitarians from the Ravenna. He wishes to thank his family, producing organizations and all the back stage crews that have helped him achieve his vision.
His philosophy of life is to only do good work and enjoy life’s journey.