LAS VEGAS — Richard “Nook” Schoenfeld, who took the helm as editor of PLSN magazine in Dec. 2014, announced plans to retire, effective Nov. 1, 2021.
“We all wish Nook the best and want to thank him for the years of service he’s given to the industry as the editor of PLSN,” said publisher Terry Lowe, who also heads up Timeless Communications and the Parnelli Awards. “Nook’s technically insightful and humorous musings were always appreciated by our readers. We look forward to him contributing from time-to-time as his schedule allows. I know I can say for everyone at Timeless Communications, ‘We love you, Nook! You’re the best.’”
Prior to Schoenfeld’s appointment as PLSN editor, he was well known in the industry, lighting a long roster of top acts over a long career that included Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, the Eagles, the Talking Heads, and longtime client Kid Rock. He first became known to PLSN readers in 2006 when, despite his busy career as a designer, he managed to also pen the monthly LD-at-Large column. And if the demands of the editorial side of his multi-faceted career expanded dramatically the moment he became responsible not just for the last page of the magazine but the Editor’s Note and all the pages in between, Schoenfeld still managed to juggle his editor gig with LD duties. As recently as last month, he lit performances by Kid Rock and John Legend.
Among his other contributions to PLSN, Timeless Communications and the Parnelli Awards, Schoenfeld remains the only PLSN editor who, prior to presenting awards at the annual ceremony, had received one himself, for Lighting Designer of the Year in 2011. (Although he is retiring, Schoenfeld will remain on the Parnelli Board of Advisors.)
Other than that, “it’s time to up my golf game and learn how to fly fish. Next month marks the dawn of a new era as some familiar faces take over my role.” Starting with the Nov. 2021 issue, Nook’s editorial duties will be assumed by not just one but two veteran industry scribes: Debi Moen, who will focus on the touring side of the business, and Michael S. Eddy, former editor-in-chief of PLSN’s sister publication, Stage Directions who will focus on theater, film and TV, as well as on products & technology.
