Bio
Lynne Fernandez is a trained Psychologist and spent the first years of her professional life working with seriously disturbed young adults, at a facility in Bangalore, India.
The next phase of her life saw her work as a successful Tour Director with a high-end Travel company, which allowed her to travel extensively across India and Nepal, during which she would lecture on Indian culture and wildlife.
She has worked as an actress and light designer with many notable directors including Barry John, Joy Michael, Ranjit Kapoor, and Lillete Dubey, and was amongst the first practicing light designers (and perhaps the first woman Lighting Directors) in India. Her theatre work has been presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, in the West End and off-Broadway.
Lynne came to Nrityagram in 1993 as Production and Technical consultant to the newly founded Ensemble. She stayed on as Technical Director and in 1997 was appointed Managing Trustee of the Odissi Dance Centre Trust which oversees Nrityagram Village, School and Ensemble.
As Lighting Director of Nrityagram, Lynne has lit the Ensemble on stages across India (from NCPA, Mumbai to Konarak, Orissa, Music Academy, Chennai to the Purana Qila, Delhi) and the globe, including The Joyce Theatre, New York, Sydney Opera House, Royal Festival Hall, London, The Esplanade, Singapore, and others.
As Managing Trustee, she is responsible for administration, fund-raising and project development. Her recent projects include Kula, a residence where arts practitioners can live and create new work, and a Performing Arts Centre comprising a theatre, exhibition space and rehearsal studios.
She has also overseen the emergence of the Nrityagram Ensemble on to the international arena.