TOUR: “Carrie & Lowell” U.S. tour (April-June 2015); U.K./Europe (Aug.-Oct. 2015)
DESIGN: “I am operating the show that Marc Janowitz designed. The show has a simple and sexy look. Most songs are just one or two cues. I find it harder to do the simple looks — it can be difficult to make sure the lighting is stimulating and engaging enough for the audience while trying to not duplicate looks. However, during the last song of the show, ‘Blue Bucket of Gold,’ things get a little crazy.
“Additionally, we have video panels, which include custom triangle panels on the tops and bottoms of the strips to provide a unique look. It is all content and no I-Mag — old family footage, some of which Sufjan filmed himself. Content designer is Josh Higgason. What I find to be really great about this show is that Sufjan is heavily involved with a two-hour sound check; a lot of little changes are made to make the show an even better experience.”
BACK STORY
Home Base: San Diego, CA
First Industry Gig: “At age 16 in Vancouver, I began working as a lighting tech for local theatres and lighting companies. I never planned on touring, but this is now my twelfth tour, and my third tour working with Marc Janowitz. I enjoy working with him; we make a great team. I met him while working in New York many years ago.”
First Tour: “I worked as a systems tech for Bad Company. My first tour as a lighting director was for Passion Pit. I have also toured as lighting director for The Lumineers, American Idol Live, Passion Pit, Enrique Iglesias, Miranda Cosgrove, Weird Al Yankovic and a few theatre shows.”
Career Spark: “The first show I went to was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I remember staring at the lights the whole show. I don’t know why, but I was obsessed with lights from that day on.”
What Do You Like about What You Do? “I like the feeling you get when you call for the house lights to go out, it’s dark, the audience is screaming and you’re just about to hit your first cue.”
Best Advice: “Marc once told me that when I am focusing the lights before a show, to move around the room to see the show from different angles to gain all perspectives. The show has to look good from all angles, not just center.”
