Jake DeGroot is a freelance lighting designer based in New York City. Jake has collaborated with theaters, companies, directors, designers, and artists all over the US and the world. He is a Drama Desk Nominee and an LA Drama Critics Circle Award Recipient. Originally from Massachusetts, Jake became heavily involved with the theatre scene in the greater Boston area from a very young age, including two seasons as Co-Lighting Supervisor at the Tony-Award-Winning Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Today, Jake works primarily as a lighting designer for live theatre, along with work in architectural lighting, television, and special events. He made his Broadway design debut with Oh, Hello on Broadway. Jake holds a BFA in Lighting Design from the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama. He is also a proud member of the United Scenic Artists Local 829.
Outside of the theatre, Jake is passionate about social justice and has been known to take to the streets in protest. He was a core volunteer, organizer, and staffer for the 2018 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Congressional Campaign and is the co-founder of Reach which is a political organizing app helping progressives connect with voters. He is also an enthusiastic year-round cyclist and cycling evangelist.