Reviews & Awards
Press
A.J.’s work has garnered critical recognition for its bold, inventive design. He has received eight Helen Hayes Award nominations for a variety of scenic and lighting designs throughout his career.
BroadwayWorld awarded him Best Scenic Design for Godspell! - in a pool, and Best Lighting and Scenic Design for Avenue Q. Plus, he also received a Best Scenic Design nomination for Arabian Nights. His designs create dynamic, immersive environments that connect with both audiences and critics.
"Lighting designer A.J. Guban’s crimsons, blues and stained-glass effects beautifully softened the set’s edges"
- The Washington Post, 2022
Washington National Opera
Lighting Designer
"A gossamer dreamscape of brilliant color and imagery"
- Broadway World, 2013
Constellation Theatre Company
Scenic & Lighting Designer
"A.J. Guban is a designer who is endlessly creative and resourceful."
- DC Theatre Scene, 2016
Constellation Theatre Company
Scenic & Lighting Designer
"A.J. Guban’s lighting design works miracles in shifting space and time, while also serving as a crucial element of characterization. At times, however, Guban’s work seems to go beyond function and attain a creative autonomy of its own."
- DC Metro Theater Arts, 2019
Constellation Theatre Company
Scenic & Lighting Designer
"Guban’s lighting design, albeit with technicolor spirit, is a vivacious character all its own, acting as a critical player in various musical numbers and intense scenes throughout the production."
- Theatre Bloom, 2018
Constellation Theatre Company
Scenic & Lighting Designer
"These breathtaking designs capture picturesque moments of emotions that are radiating from the actors like ripples in the water from a huge splash."
- DC Theatre Scene, 2012
Constellation Theatre Company
Scenic & Lighting Designer
"The team of projectionist S. Katy Tucker and lighting designer A.J. Guban works minimalist magic."
- The Washington Post, 2024
Washington National Opera
Lighting Designer
Awards
Best Scenic Design of Play or Musical
BroadwayWorld
Godspell! (in a pool), 2024
Outstanding Scenic Design
Helen Hayes Awards Nomination
The Little Shop of Horrors, 2020
Outstanding Scenic Design
Helen Hayes Awards Nomination
The Caucasian Chalk Circle, 2018
Outstanding Lighting Design
Helen Hayes Awards Nomination
The Wild Party, 2018
Best Scenic Design of Play or Musical
BroadwayWorld Nomination
The Arabian Nights, 2018
Outstanding Scenic Design
Helen Hayes Awards Nomination
The Arabian Nights, 2018
Outstanding Scenic Design
Helen Hayes Awards Nomination
Journey to the West, 2017
Best Lighting Design of Play or Musical
BroadwayWorld
Avenue Q, 2016
Best Scenic Design of Play or Musical
BroadwayWorld
Avenue Q, 2016
Outstanding Lighting Design
Helen Hayes Awards Nomination
Avenue Q, 2016
Outstanding Scenic Design
Helen Hayes Awards Nomination
36 Views, 2014
Outstanding Lighting Design
Helen Hayes Awards Nomination
36 Views, 2014
"Through A.J. Guban’s stellar design work, Moon Man Walk transports characters to various earthly and cosmic locales, projecting meticulously detailed imagery on its versatile set.”
- The Washington Post, 2021
Constellation Theatre Company
Scenic, Lighting & Projection Designer
