NASHVILLE – Andrew Peterson’s 18th annual “Behold The Lamb Of God” tour included a performance at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Dec. 11 that was also seen via live stream at Lipscomb University’s Shamblin Theatre. LD Winn Elliott, who has been supporting Andrew Peterson’s shows for more than a decade, relied on a Bandit Lites-supplied rig that included Vari-Lite VL500 Washes, Martin MAC Viper Spots, Martin MAC Aura Washes and in-line 4-lights.
More details from Bandit (www.BanditLites.com):
In what is held as a revered musical event and Christmas tradition for the contemporary Christian music community, Andrew Peterson’s 18th annual Behold The Lamb Of God Tour returned to Nashville for two shows featuring a lighting package provided by Bandit Lites. The moving show presents the Christmas story with musical numbers that move from the Old Testament to the New.
Lighting designer Winn Elliott is nearly a dozen years into designing this production and credits his history with Andrew Peterson into knowing what direction to take the lighting each year.
“Andrew and I have worked together for so long that I have a good understanding of what he will and won’t like,” said Elliott. “We’re in many ways cut from the same cloth from a design standpoint: my goal is to add a very intentional visual interest and beauty to the evening and to complement all that is happening on stage. That typically involves building looks that don’t have a ton of movement or other elements that may be distracting to the audience.”
In addition to the live show at the Ryman, this year’s production featured a live stream at Lipscomb University’s Shamblin Theatre requiring Elliott to create a lighting package that would suit both the live audience and those watching at home.
“This year, building a package that had to serve dual purposes was an added element, but Bandit was super helpful on that front, and it all came together beautifully,” said Elliott. “Brent Barrett, Project Manager Jimmy Hatten, and I got the rig from napkin sketch (seriously!) to CAD, to actual equipment hanging in the programming suite in a matter of days (hours, really), and our techs, Sarah Eucker and Elizabeth Weller, knew the rig inside and out. What I thought would be two full days of programming ended up being two half days. It was just a great experience all the way around.”
Bandit Lites supplied VL 500 Washes, Martin MAC Viper Spots, Martin MAC Aura Washes and in-line 4-lights. With no other scenic elements on the stage, Elliott used the lighting to build the set, with Auras and Vipers creating aerial effects and saturated colors and 4light moles adding incandescent textures to the design.
“I chose the VL500’s because they’re just… beautiful lights,” Elliott said. “I’m a little old school when it comes to the new LED fixtures, and I really wanted the warmth that the VL500’s provided.”
With the second portion of the production featuring Andrew and company performing his Behold the Lamb of God album in its entirety, the lighting was program in advanced, but the first part of the show features an in-the-round style concert that allows the touring musicians and additional special guests to perform their own material.
“I’m either programming the round songs during sound check or hearing the songs for the first time during the show,” said Elliott, “so trying to build a punt page that has enough eye candy to make it not obvious that I’ve never heard the song before can be a bit of a challenge at times!”
“We at Bandit are so pleased to have the opportunity to be involved in what is clearly a very touching presentation of the Christmas story,” said Bandit’s Brent Barrett. “I know that it is a production that so many look forward to each year, and to be one part of its success is an honor.”
“I love working with Bandit and have had only great experiences,” Elliott finished noting, “The gear is great, but as we all know, gear is only gear. The real added value that Bandit brings to the table are the people. When we had to augment and reconfigure the original design to fit into the different venues, both of our techs were on it and had turn-key solutions to all our challenges. Bandit made what could have been a stressful few days totally painless – and more than that, FUN.”
