Lighting Designer & Stage Manager
Lighting Designer & Stage Manager
What is a lighting designer?…
As a lighting designer, I use light to help tell a story, creating mood, directing focus, and shaping the entire visual world of a performance. My own journey into this world began with a spark of curiosity in 8th grade, when I began to teach myself the fundamentals of this craft. That initial passion quickly evolved into a professional pursuit with the start of Preston Lighting, a company founded by my friend David and me. Through this venture, I collaborate with various theatre companies and organizations across Northern New Jersey, designing and executing unique lighting concepts for a diverse range of productions. While my foundation is self-taught, I have actively sought to refine my skills by taking advanced classes with industry professionals, deepening my understanding of both the technology and the artistry.
What is a Stage Manager?…
A stage manager is the organizational and communicative leader of a production, responsible for turning a director's vision into a smooth reality from the first rehearsal to the final curtain call. My journey in stage management began three years ago as an assistant stage manager for massive youth theatre productions, some with over 120 kids on stage. Throughout the process, I track where every actor, prop, and set piece needs to be, and during the show, I call every technical cue that keeps the performance running. My ultimate goal is to create a supportive environment for the actors, director, and crew that ensures the show runs smoothly every night.
THEATRE GALLERY
Photos By Revel Carlberg West & Heather Ballantyne