No Matter the Size of the Venue, Big Looks All Around
Since Jefferson Waful, LD for jam band moe from 2003-2008, took over for Umphrey’s McGee LD Adam Budney in late 2008, the band performs in a variety of venues — everything from theaters to sheds and arenas. They can range in size from Oklahoma City’s Diamond Ballroom, with a 14-foot trim and a capacity near the 1,000 mark, all the way up to the 12,000-seat Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park in Alpharetta, GA.
For a medium-sized show in 2013, the rig would typically consist of 12 Clay Paky Sharpys, eight Martin MAC Vipers, 16 Martin MAC 101s, 12 Martin MAC Auras, six Vari*Lite 3500 Washes and 26 Martin MAC III profiles, with a grandMA full size for control and five Base hazers for atmosphere. Depending on the venue, however, the rig and truss configuration might change dramatically.
“When I have to reduce the size of the rig in a smaller venue, the main priority is getting at least four to six downstage wash fixtures to light up the band and a minimum of six floor lights behind the band,” Waful says. “This is the most basic setup that still allows me to have some semblance of our light show. Typically, the smaller venues have weight restrictions for hanging fixtures, and if we can find space, we may hang a few Sharpys, Auras or MAC 101s just to get some aerial looks.”
when he has to boost the rig? “I’ll typically fly extra spot fixtures from a midstage truss or a downstage truss, depending on the size of the room,” Waful continues. “If the audience area is large enough, downstage spots fixtures are great for aerial looks, but in a theatre, where the balcony is too close to the downstage truss, I would opt for a midstage truss so the beams have more space to spread out and the rig has a chance to ‘breathe.’”
Known for his abilities at matching lighting color, movement and intensity to Umphrey’s McGee’s music, Waful is still quick to credit ongoing support from mentors such as Hans Shoop, “who will still take my calls when I’m panicking and nothing is working.
“I’ve never had any official training,” Waful adds, “so what I do is what I’ve figured out works best for my show. I’ve always felt that I can have a much better looking show having things laid out as simple as possible so I can play things like a keyboard.”
??Crew
Lighting Designer/Director:Jefferson Waful
Tour Manager:Bobby Haight
Production Manager:Bob Ston
Stage Manager:Robbie Williams
Band Managers:Vincent Iwinski, Kevin Browning
??Gear
1 grandMA Full console
26 Martin MAC III Profiles
16 Martin MAC 101s
12 Martin MAC Auras
12 Clay Paky Sharpys
8 Martin MAC Vipers
6 Vari*Lite VL3500 Washes
5 Base hazers
