Phil began studying light in his early teens when he was taking oil painting lessons at the Ridgewood Art Barn in New Jersey.  He continued to take various art classes throughout middle school and high school.  While attending high school Phil began participating in various theatre productions.  He quickly learned how to operate the lighting system in which the fellow students and teachers were unable to figure out.  By the end of high school, Phil was being asked by other high schools to light their plays.  Seeing a career opportunity Phil decided to go to California Institute of the Arts (CAL ARTS) to study lighting design for the Performing Arts, Design, and Technology.   After graduating from Cal Arts Phil freelanced lighting plays and events in the Los Angeles area as well as working part time for the Great American Market (GAM) and working for The Mark Taper Forum lighting multiple children theatre tours.

      Eventually his career led him back to the tri-state area.  He spent years designing various off off, and off Broadway shows and events in theatres in and around New York City.  He then began designing in some larger theatres such as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Chicago Symphony Hall.  Phil has international design experience as well he has designed shows all around the world as well.

      Currently, Phil is the lighting designer for Live With Kelly and Michael, Net-TV (Prayer Channel), and The New York State Lottery Games, Some of his other credits include: Live with Kelly, Live with Regis and Kelly, Live With Regis, Live With Regis and Kathy Lee, The Empire State Games Opening Ceremonies (Winter Games), and Governor Pataki Town Hall Meetings. He is also the Lighting Director for WABC-TV Eyewitness News, Up Close, Viewpoint,

      Phil has estimated that he has been responsible for over 17,000 hours of airtime in the last ten years for local WABC-TV programs.

Philip D. Widmer (Lighting Designer)