José Luis Canales

Technical director and lighting designer with over 35 years of experience in the performing arts sector. He began his professional career in 1982, establishing himself over more than a decade in team management and lighting design for major theater, music, dance, and opera productions. During this initial stage, he worked at institutional venues such as the Teatro María Guerrero and Teatro Español, and participated in prestigious festivals including the Festival de Otoño in Madrid, Almagro, and Avignon. His experience also encompasses music tours and collaborations in the field of dance with companies such as the Compañía Nacional de Danza and the Ballet Nacional de España, among others.

In 1995, he joined the Teatro Real in Madrid for its reopening, spearheading the creation and launch of its lighting department. During his 17 years with the institution, he served as head of lighting and technical manager, collaborating with renowned international stage directors, set designers, and costume designers. From 2009 onwards, he also took on the technical and logistical direction of the theater's external activities—notably large-scale productions in venues such as the Madrid Arena—and coordinated the educational project for the Fundación del Teatro Real.

In January 2023, he took over the technical and maintenance direction of the Laboratorio de las Artes de Valladolid (LAVA), overseeing equipment upgrades and the technical and infrastructural coordination for the venue's entire performing arts programming.

In August 2026, he joined the Ballet Nacional de España as technical director.