Photograph by Morgan Roberts

Craig Wilkinson APDG is a multi-award winning video designer for live performance and creative director of optikal bloc.

His work sits at the intersection of theatre, film language and contemporary visual design, creating integrated video designs and experiences that are dramaturgically driven and tightly woven into the fabric of live performance. His design work has been presented throughout Australia and internationally, including the UK (West End), North America, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

Selected video design credits include Kip William’s cine-theatre adaptation of DRACULA (West End, starring Cynthia Erivo), the world premiere adaptation of Trent Dalton’s best selling novel BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE (Queensland Theatre Company / Brisbane Festival / QPAC), the Australian premiere and national tour of GREEN DAY’S AMERICAN IDIOT (Shake & Stir Theatre Co), the world premiere of ROUND THE TWIST THE MUSICAL (Queensland Theatre Company / QPAC), the stage adaptation of Max Porter’s best selling novel GRIEF IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS (Belvoir St Theatre), the award-winning FANTASTIC MR FOX (Shake & Stir Theatre Co), ILLUME (Bangarra Dance Theatre), FLORA (Bangarra Dance Theatre / The Australian Ballet), Leah Purcell’s monumental new opera THE DROVER’S WIFE (Opera Australia / QPAC / Oombarra Productions), SHAUN THE SHEEP’S CIRCUS SHOW (Circa / Aardman Animations) and the world premiere and tour of Suzie Miller’s STRONG IS THE NEW PRETTY (Sydney Theatre Company / Brisbane Festival / Trish Wadley Productions).

In late 2026, Craig will video design INTO THE WOODS for Opera Queensland and Queensland Theatre Company, and a new production of THE NUTCRACKER for Queensland Ballet, with choreographer Derek Deane OBE and production designer Lez Brotherson OBE. In 2027, Craig joins the creative team of the world premiere of CLARICE by Trudy Hellier, directed by Simon Phillips, for Melbourne Theatre Company.

Craig has collaborated with some of Australia’s leading directors, choreographers and designers including Simon Phillips, Kip Williams, Frances Rings, Wesley Enoch, Leah Purcell, Sarah Giles, Daniel Evans, Yaron Lifschitz, Lee Lewis, Isaac Drandic, Sam Strong, Craig Ilott, Amy Campbell, Cameron Mitchell, Renée Mulder, Marg Horwell, Charles Davis, Elizabeth Gadsby, Isabel Hudson, Nick Schlieper, Paul Jackson, Ben Hughes and Guy Webster. He has worked with leading Australian arts companies including Sydney Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, The Australian Ballet, Michael Cassel Group, Opera Australia, Crossroads Live, Trish Wadley Productions, Opera Queensland, Queensland Ballet, CIRCA, Shake & Stir Theatre Co and Brisbane Festival.

Craig’s work has been recognised with four Australian Production Design Guild Awards for Video Design for a Live Performance or Event, five Matilda Awards for Best Video Design and a Gold Matilda for Body of Work, a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Design, and has received an additional 18 award nominations.

He is an accredited member of Australian Production Design Guild and was a recipient of Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowship in 2022.