David Hays: key obituary facts
Is David Hays dead? Yes. David Hays died on February 15, 2026, at age 95.
Cause of death: David Hays's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was David Hays known for?
David Hays was an American scenic and lighting designer.
More about David Hays
Born: June 2, 1930.
Occupations: Scenic designer, Lighting designer, Artistic director, Author.
Years active: 1953–2026.
Known for: Founding the National Theatre of the Deaf.
David Hays, an American scenic and lighting designer, died on February 15, 2026, in Essex, Connecticut.
He was the founding artistic director of the National Theatre of the Deaf and worked over a five-decade career that included scenery and lighting design for more than 50 Broadway productions and 30 ballets for George Balanchine and the New York City Ballet. Hays was nominated for five Tony Awards for his stage designs.
Born in New York City, he graduated from Harvard University in 1952, studied in London on a Fulbright scholarship, and later earned a Master of Fine Arts in theatrical design from Boston University.
David Hays (June 2, 1930 – February 17, 2026) was an American scenic and lighting designer and the founding artistic director of the National Theatre of the Deaf (NTD). Over a career spanning five decades, he designed scenery and lighting for over 50 Broadway productions and 30 ballets for George Balanchine and the New York City Ballet. He was nominated for five Tony Awards for his stage designs.