The following posts are a selection of some of my favorite lighting designs. For a full list of all of the shows I have designed, check out my lighting resume.
Singing for Scrooge
This theatrical company did the exact same show, Scrooge, the musical the Christmas prior, and one of the challenges was lighting it differently from before. The set was completely different with a revolving “clock”, and LED bars were installed underneath that were lit every time a ghost appeared or “magic” was happening. Fog was also utilized to accentuate the atmosphere.
Creating Magic in the Secret Garden
This musical retelling of the classic children’s story utilized a lot of zoning, as well as specific spotlights as seen here. “Hallways” were created using light as Mary and Archibald wandered the Manor, just missing each other as they passed in the darkness.
Gambling with Guys and Dolls
Guys and Dolls features several different locations and different times of day. This scene pictured takes place in early morning, so the stage was bathed with soft pinks and yellows. The iconic sewer scene (where the song, “Luck Be a Lady” is sung), was created using a projection light to simulate water dancing on the wall, as well as lights shining through a manhole.
Growing the Garden in Children of Eden
Children of Eden had a large cast and the director utilized the entire stage as well as into the house. Because the show featured several different locations, the director chose to convey the mood and location of the setting via lights and we projected 6 LEDs behind a wire scrim. Pinlights, held by actors, became stars and a special was aimed into the back of the house to spotlight Father.
A Steampunk Godspell
The request from the director was to have Godspell be "moody, with purples and blues and no whites until the end". Using only gels, we created a very moody play and one of the most ambitious to date. Shadows were our friend, and the colors helped tell the mood of the ensemble. Several chases during some of the more upbeat songs were also incorporated.
Grease and Lightning
Grease had a color scheme as well as zones. The director requested bright, fun colors - no whites. Each zone then had 6 separate colors honed in on it; purple, pink, green, blue, red, yellow. When the Pink Ladies were alone on stage, their space was lit with the pinks, reds, and purples, and the Greasers had the yellows, greens, and blue.
A Wild Prairie with Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Ingalls Wilder: Voice of the Prairie was a fast-paced telling of Laura Ingalls Wilder's life and with simple roll-away sets, we again had to use light to convey location and time of day. Blues were used during the snow storm and moody lighting for the times inside the cabin.
Photo Credits on the Stage Lighting Posts: Pete Caster, Aran Graham, Rebecca Lund, Danielle Kays, Carrina Stanton, Jared Wenzelburger