Young designer receives recognition at World Stage Design Exhibition

Local theater designer Leong Son U received the silver award in Professional Lighting Design at the 2025 World Stage Design Exhibition (WSD) held in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, marking the first time a designer from Macau has received recognition at WSD.

The exhibition, organized every four years, attracted over 700 submissions from 60 countries this edition.

Leong received the accolade for his lighting design in “Nine Tones”, a production by Macau Experimental Theatre.

His work was selected through an anonymous review process from hundreds of shortlisted entries.

The production previously premiered in Macau before being presented at the international exhibition.

A graduate of the Macao Conservatory, which comprises the schools of music, dance, and theatre, Leong currently works as a full-time lighting designer while continuing his professional development through directing studies.

The recognition comes while Macau continues to develop its cultural and creative industries, with several local artists gaining increased international exposure in recent years.

Established in 2005, the WSD remains one of the most significant international platforms for performance designers across lighting, sound, costume, and set design disciplines. RD