Who Am I? A Lighting Designer

Welcome to my ongoing section about who I am.  Each post will contain just one segment of my life.  This is a way for you, my reader, to get to know me for more than the blogger on the internet that complains about Trump. Why name the series "Who Am I?"  Simple.  I love Les Miserables.  "Who Am I?" is my favorite song from my favorite musical.  So, who am I?  I am...

Garey High School Christmas Concert

...A Lighting Designer.

I have been working, professionally, in the performing arts for 20 years.  I am typically found stage managing or assistant stage managing, but 4-5 times per year, I get to allow my mind to unleash its creative side in the form of designing lights.

What does a lighting designer do?

A good one uses lighting to enhance a performance, not distract from it.  When I am lighting a show, I read the script and find every moment that needs something specific in it.  This might be an actor flipping a light switch or a change in scene from day to night.  I then continue to build looks that will enhance the audience experience.

Lighting is as much about the emotions I can evoke as it is about the practicality of making a performer visible on stage.  Sometimes, I am lighting for the performance, like in a kids dance concert.  Parents don't care about my design as long as they can see their child on stage.  Other times, I am lighting for the atmosphere, like in a musical concert where my lighting is building on what you feel when you hear a note.

My end goal is that you don't notice my lighting because in that, my lighting has done what I set out for it to do.  If you need a lighting designer, visit my website!