Jan Hofstra

Jan Hofstra was born in Leiden (The Netherlands). After studying precision mechanics and electrical and radio engineering he worked in the film industry, where he learnt about camera, studio and theatre techniques. Since 1964 he has been working for Dutch National Ballet, where he was responsible for the technical organization and presentation of ballet performances. During this period he has worked with Peter Wright, Hans van Manen, Rudi van Dantzig, Toer van Schayk, Heinz Spoerli, Eduard Lock, Jean Paul Vroom, Jan van der Wal and Keso Dekker. He has been responsible for the relighting of a number of Balanchine ballets performed by Dutch National Ballet and has been the Lighting Designer for Hans van Manen and Kurt Jooss for a number of world renowned ballet companies. Since 1994 he worked also as lighting designer for the expositions in the National Museum in Amsterdam. In 2001 Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands appointed Jan Hofstra as Knight of the Order of Oranje-Nassau in recognition of his achievements in the Arts.