Joseph Mercurio was born in Melbourne and raised in Fremantle, Western Australia. Following his sister Connie into ballet at age six triggered his fascination with dance.  He then decided to leave the barrel rolls to his brother Paul and moved into Lighting.  One of his first jobs was for Swy Theatre Company with his brother Michael, who was a founding member. 

Joseph's career has spanned the entire entertainment scope.  Lighting and the manipulation of light has fuelled Joseph's passion for his career as it is not only what you see but also what is concealed that fascinates him.

Joseph moved to Sydney in 1993, working in a wide range of styles in Australia and touring the world extensively.  He has collaborated with some of Australia’s leading choreographers including; Stephen Page (Praying Mantis Dreaming, Ochres, Fish and Corroboree), The Australian Ballet (Alchemy), Sue Healey (Fine Line Terrain and Inevitable Scenarios), Phillip Adams (Doubting Lakes Edge), Natalie Weir (Fair Game), Antonio Vargas, Fieldworks (Scenes in a Prison) Anna Smith (Mad Sky, Incandescence), Jason Pitt, Liz Lea (Livid Land), Albert David (Gizz)

In 1998 with generous support from The Australia Council Joseph attended The British Council International Seminar on Lighting Design.  Joseph has an ongoing commitment to further education and experience that he brings to each new project.

Joseph was Lighting Designer for both the Olympic Arts Festivals (1996 and 2000) and Lighting Designer (Props) for Closing Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Drama credits include; Noel Tovey (The Aboriginal Protestors, State of Shock), Francesca Smith (Alive at Williamstown Pier), David Berthold (The Marlowe Project), The Seymour Group (Night Dreams, Flight of Les Darcy),

Since returning to Perth in 2004 Joseph has designed for Black Swan Theatre Company (Proof, This is Our Youth), DeckChair Theatre Company (Bratwurst and Damper, Much Ado About Nothing, and Twelfth Night), both Opening and Closing public events of the 2005 Perth festival and for West Australian Ballet (Cinderella, Ballet at the Quarry 2006, Mid Summer Nights Dream and Don Quixote, The Red Shoes ).

Joseph Mercurio is currently the Lighting Design Course Co-ordinator at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth.