Tour: Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life”
Dates: Nov. 6-Dec. 20, 2014
Design: “I was told, ‘The show is about Stevie. It needs to be elegant and refined in style.’ The rest was up to me. Having a full stage of 43 musicians, time of installation was a big concern, as everything had to be up with time to get risers, backline and stage wired before the two-hour sound check/rehearsal. The biggest challenge was no production rehearsals before our first show at Madison Square Garden. I programmed the show from my home studio using ESP. All I had to touch up were band presets and a few beam looks.”
BACK STORY
Home Base: Fort Worth, TX
First Tour: “In 1999. I was an electrician for Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies” European tour.”
First LD Gig: “Principal lighting designer for Six Flags Over Texas. I have held that position for 14 years.”
Career Spark: “High school theatre. I wanted our band in the talent show to look more like a live touring show. The only way was to join the theatre department.”
Heroes/Mentors: “My main mentor is Stacey LaBarbera (LD for George Strait). Over the 10 years, I have worked with Stacey on George Strait he has looked out for me by giving me advice on design theory and implementations along with smart career moves to make. Stacey encouraged my creative talents, which led me to co-design and program along with adding the role of video director for Strait shows.
“I have always loved the works of the late Mark Fisher. Entertainment Architect says it all. I consider his creations powerful works of art.
Show Designer In Your Sights: “Trevor Ahlstrand. He has a meticulous eye for delivering a great design that complements the client he is working with.”
What do you like about what you do? “I like the design process. There’s nothing like seeing the system on for the first time when it all started with a ‘Hey, you know what would look great…’ I love creating renderings and seeing them come alive.”
Past Tours: As a designer: George Strait (10 years) Ne-Yo, Omarion, Disney Block Party, Barney & Friends and RBD. As a tech: Reba, Chicago, Kelly Clarkson, Phish.
Best Advice: “Inspect what you expect, and don’t cheap out. Get Vectorworks with Renderworks.”
