Theunis Zijlstra (1975) studied Musicology at the University of Amsterdam. He subsequently worked as a lighting technician at De Theatercompagnie and Orkater and made lighting designs for Toneelgroep Alaska.

In 2010, he joined Toneelgroep Amsterdam and contributed to e.g. Ghosts, Angels in America, Kings of war (as a camera man) and The Fountainhead. He also provided the video design for Mary Stuart, The hidden force and The things that pass.