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Maarten Cornelis

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Maarten Cornelis BIO

Early Life:

Growing up in a theater family, Maarten got the stage bug at a young age. He landed his first leading role in a theatre production at the age of 5 and directed his first play by the age of 15. When Maarten was 14, he was accepted to the exclusive De Kunsthumaniora performing arts school in Antwerp, Belgium and graduated with honors at the age of 18.

During his studies at the performing arts school, he was exposed to many different ways of being on the stage. He focused on acting initially, but soon started to fall in love with singing and dancing. During his studies, many agencies and managers started to pick up on his talent and job offers started pouring in.

Early Career:

At the age of 16, Maarten was hired to be the choreographer and dancer for a number of music projects in Belgium – soon to be his gateway into the record industry. At 17, Maarten auditioned and was selected out of 500 people to be the leading vocal for the pop music group, TSQ (Tiger Squad). The audition process and launching of the band was part of a popular reality show named "Napels Zien," which aired on VRT (with over 1 million viewers weekly) in Belgium. TSQ became a success right away, and is known to have shot the most expensive music video in Belgium. TSQ’s biggest hit was “Let’s Get Together.”

Thanks to the popularity of the band, Maarten started his own restaurant, hosted a show on TV for Zones TV together with Belle Perez, was featured in numerous magazines, and judged a number of talent competition’s across Belgium.

Although uncredited Maarten also did the vocals for the #1 hit single, "Sex Met Die Blonde," by Dynamite.

After being accepted to The Lee Strasberg Institute in Los Angeles, Maarten decided to sell everything and make the big move to America in September of 2002, where he then started his courses at the Institute. After a year of studying at the Institute, Maarten was offered the job as Technical Director of the school and ended up designing more than 40 of their productions. This was the start to his career as a Light Designer.

Light Design:

Since graduation, Maarten has worked 8 years as Technical Director for the Italian Consulate – specifically the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles. He has designed the lighting for many noteworthy events at the Institute honoring artists such as Ennio Morricone, the LA Chamber Orchestra Concert, Bernardo Bertolucci, Pupi Avati, Dino De Laurentiis, Douglas Kirkland,Ferzan Özpetek, Maria Callas, as well as designing the premiere party for Francis Ford Coppola’s new movie ‘Tetro.’ In addition, he has had the privilege of showcasing works by Leonardo da Vinci by designing the showroom at the Italian Cultural Institute.

Maarten has recently created the light design for two Off-Broadway shows "Frankenstein" and 'Lilli Marlene" both produced by John Lant.

He design "Mastervoices: Of Thee I Sing" at CARNEGIE HALL.

Maarten Cornelis STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Premiere, 2021
Performer

Maarten Cornelis Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2021]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Lighting Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Designer

Maarten Cornelis News


New Romantic Frankenstein Film Musical to Stream This Valentine's Day


New Romantic Frankenstein Film Musical is Streaming this Valentine's Day.

Sean Young Will Make New York Stage Debut in ODE TO THE WASP WOMAN Off-Broadway


Forwood C. Wiser presents Sean Young (Blade Runner, Fatal Instinct) in Ode To The Wasp Woman, a new play by Rider McDowell (The Mercy Man, Wimbledon).

Off-Broadway FRANKENSTEIN Available On Demand At StreamingMusicals.com


The latest Frankenstein movie is available for this Halloween. It can be streamed on-demand at StreamingMusicals.com. The Joe LoBianco film is a compelling adaptation of Mary Shelley's frightening work of horror, sci-fi and romance. It is a musical drama with haunting melodies and a 'Phantom-like' score, written and composed by Eric B, Sirota, and adapted for film from his long-running and successful Off-Broadway musical. 

ODE TO THE WASP WOMAN Opens Off-Broadway in November


Forwood C. Wiser presents Sean Young (Blade Runner, Fatal Instinct) in Ode To The Wasp Woman, a new play by Rider McDowell. Learn more about the play here!

Off-Broadway Premiere of OUT OF THE APPLE ORCHARD Set for September at Actors Temple Theatre


Don't miss the Off-Broadway premiere of 'Out Of The Apple Orchard' at Actors Temple Theatre from September 10-14. Get ready to be captivated by this enchanting tale of forgiveness and new beginnings. Book your tickets now!

Soundtrack For New Movie Musical FRANKENSTEIN Out Now


Immerse yourself in the enchanting music of the Frankenstein movie musical with the newly released Cast Album. Experience the sweeping romantic score that brings Mary Shelley's classic novel to life. Available on major streaming platforms now.

New FRANKENSTEIN Movie Musical Coincides with Bicentennial of 'Presumption'


The cast is led by Daniel Robert Burns (Victor Frankenstein), Marc Christopher (Creature), Grace Hwoang (Elizabeth Lavenza), Tim Bacskai (Henry Clerval), Ren King (Innkeeper), Jay Lucas Chacon (Innkeeper), Daryl Glenn (Victor's Father) and Lauren Coccaro (Justine), with Julie McNamara, Isaiah Delgado, Rebecca Ponticello and Melissa Cathcart.

Cast Set for Film Adaptation of Eric B. Sirota's FRANKENSTEIN, Now Streaming


The cast has been revealed for the film adaptation of the long-running Off-Broadway musical, Frankenstein, by Eric B. Sirota, which has been released and is now available to stream.

Film Adaptation of Off-Broadway FRANKENSTEIN Will Stream Beginning This Weekend


Producers John Lant and Tamra Pica have announced that a film adaptation of their Off-Broadway hit musical, Frankenstein, by Eric B. Sirota, will be released and available to stream beginning Memorial Day weekend 2023, on StreamingMusicals.com. 

Final Standings Announced For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards


The final standings have been announced as of Tuesday, December 27th for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

12 Days Left To Vote For The 2022 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Awards; The Muny Leads Favorite Local Theatre!


The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Standings Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards


The latest standings as of Monday, December 5th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Stats Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Awards; at Stages St. Louis Leads Best Ensemble Performance!


The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Standings Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards


The latest standings as of Monday, December 5th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Standings Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Awards; The Muny Leads Favorite Local Theatre!


The latest standings as of Monday, December 5th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

First Stats Released For The BroadwayWorld St. Louis Awards; Stage St. Louis IN THE HEIGHTS Leads Best Musical


The first live standings have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

DAVINCI & MICHELANGELO: THE TITANS EXPERIENCE Will Return to The Westport Playhouse This Holiday Season


Da Vinci & Michelangelo: The Titans Experience will return to The Westport Playhouse – STL for select holiday performances featuring matinee and evening performances beginning Thanksgiving weekend Nov. 26th through Dec. 30th, 2022.

DA VINCI & MICHELANGELO: THE TITANS EXPERIENCE Comes to Westport Playhouse in July


After 100 Off-Broadway performances in NYC, Da Vinci & Michelangelo: The Titans Experience announces six new performances at The Westport Playhouse - St Louis for their re-opening season July 15th through July 24th, 2022.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNESTLY LGTBQ+ Launches New Season This Month


The Importance of Being Earnestly LGBTQ+  begins its second Off-Broadway season presenting its hilariously unique and contemporary spin on Oscar Wilde's “trivial comedy for serious people” beginning Thursday, May 12 at The Actors Temple (339 West 47th Street between 8th & 9th Avenues). Tickets are on sale now.

New Cast Announced for THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNESTLY LGBTQ+ Off-Broadway


Producers John Lant and Maarten Cornelis with Write Act Repertory and Gatehouse Entertainment today announced a new cast for the Off-Broadway production’s 2022 run which includes a return of some favorites. The Importance Of Being Earnestly LGBTQ+, at The Actors Temple, 339 West 47th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues) begins performances Thursday, May 12.

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