An avid reader of PLSN magazine, the recently-turned-16-year-old Christopher Da Silva, wanted to share his story and lighting success. So, the Toronto teen had a publicist spread his news.
His biggest project to date? Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He was commissioned to create a new lighting plot for the musical, and directed the lighting. The set included LED drapes, lit staircases, and more lights than the previous production. The September event was the biggest multimedia production of Toronto’s CPA Centre, with an audience of more than 8,000.
We can’t confirm his proclaimed “world’s youngest lighting designer” title. And his publicist/manager? It’s his Mom, “his Mom-ager,” she tells us. But no matter. Based on his achievements, his packed portfolio, his upcoming bookings for 2018 and his drive to succeed, he is certainly well on his way in our industry. We wanted to share our conversation.
PLSN: What sparked your interest in lighting?
Christopher Da Silva: “I grew up with a musical mom, who was leading worship at our church, so I tagged along for rehearsals and concerts. I was often asked to sit in the sound booth to run sound and I loved every minute of it. I took piano lessons at a young age and discovered drums in my teens. I played — and still play — for several bands in Toronto. I’ve always been interested by the tech aspects of shows. Our family vacations are usually planned around shows we’d like to see more than places we’d like to visit.”
When did it get serious?
“I really started dabbing into lighting a few years ago when my mom started to attend Church On the Queensway, one of Canada’s mega churches. The church and their production division (The CPA Centre) is as equipped as any major theater AV-wise. Aside from televised Sunday morning services, the CPA Centre is known for their holiday and Easter musicals so I started volunteering to help their former lighting director. I ran cables and hung drapes for a while, but he slowly showed me the basics — how to run a show, patch and how DMX works. That’s when I “caught the bug!”
“I grabbed every opportunity to gain experience. I shadowed my mentor and he started hiring me for outside gigs like skating shows and conferences. I volunteered for every event at my school. As I got technically stronger, I was trusted with bigger productions, put on rotation for the morning church service and hired to run shows when the church rented out the facility. I also volunteered at other churches around town.
“When our church lighting director left, my mom challenged me to offer my services to the church’s technical director for the summer. I’m glad I did. They hired me full time and it was the most exciting summer of my life! Who knew when I started as a volunteer that I would be taking over the reins!
“I spent my summer and early fall on productions including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Broadway musical); Gospel Connection with Tasha Cobbs in Toronto; the Change Conference 2017 featuring Trip Lee, Andy Hunter and Brooke Nicholls; and Promise Keepers 2017, which was broadcast to multiple campuses. A lot happened in a short time.”
When did you start exploring lighting?
“My interest was ignited while working on my first musical, the CPA Centre’s It’s a Wonderful Christmas. It’s fulfilling to see how the lighting adds to the plot and the overall theater experience. I have recently redesigned that show. It was exciting to see on video what the former lighting designer had done versus what I was inspired to create. This play has been seen by more than 12,000 people in three years!”
Tell us about your training.
“I learned by shadowing the previous church lighting designer, who taught me lighting basics. I honestly grew stronger technically by watching “how to” videos, and practiced what I was learning. I went to shows and concerts and recorded videos of cool designs and tried to replicate those on my own. They say it takes 10,000 hours of hands-on experience to be called expert. So that’s what I did. I was lucky to have a console at school and several other places where I was able to put what I was learning to work.”
Would you like to mention any mentors?
“Lighting designer Ross Pereira taught me the basics, which sparked my passion. I will always be thankful for him and also for Donny Cooze, the technical director at Church On the Queensway; and Arthur Wachnik, the director at the CPA Centre Toronto. They allowed me to grow and shine as a lighting designer, and even now filling the shoes as the in-house lighting director at the Church On the Queensway and, as of September 2017, lighting designer for all shows at the CPA Centre.”
Are you inspired by any lighting designers in particular?
“I love what LD Bruno Poet did with Miss Saigon on Broadway. I liked the placement and use of different fixtures and effects but also the use of darkness in contrast with light in the show. I was also impressed by the work of Bob Dickinson and Travis Hagenbuch (from Full Flood in Los Angeles) for the American Country Music Awards and of Butch Allen for Carrie Underwood’s Storyteller tour.”
What’s next?
“Passion Play rehearsals start in January. It’s a huge production seen by 15,000 people each year and features more than 200 in the cast and crew. I am scheduled to work on a concert with world champion Elvis impersonator Thane Dunn in April. The show also features Bill Baize, who actually worked with “The King.” I’m also in discussion for two big productions for the spring. I am presently booked approximately three months ahead. I feel blessed!”
What are your goals?
“Breaking into the industry is difficult, especially if you’re young. I’m lucky that contractors think I’m older than my age. There is no age limit for creativity. If you have the passion and the technical skills, the lack of degree can’t stop you! My dream is to make it on Broadway for theater or to tour around the world with a band. Arena size events are exciting! I want to experience life on the touring road versus being a theatrical/in-house LD. I want to be the best lighting designer I can be!”
If you’re too busy to share your news with Debi, maybe your mom can help. Either way, you can reach her at dmoen@plsn.com.
