Big Gigantic Tour
LD Andrew Drury with Trace Adkins
TOUR: April-October, U.S.
DESIGN: “We have 12 beams, six moving wash, six moving wash with effects, four profiles, and a ton of wash lights for our set.”
Read More »
The Little Things in Life
Last month I crossed the pond in search of the latest toys in the lighting, video and staging world, as I do every April at the Prolight + Sound show in Germany. I saw some new products, but what I noticed most were a lot of companies rehashing old fixtures with newer ones that featured a new function or different light source. Lots of clever ideas to modify existing technology. But none of that jumped out as fresh and innovative, other than a couple items.
Read More »
Light from the Trees: ‘Come From Away’ on Broadway
During the chaos and confusion of the 9/11 attacks, American airspace was closed, and many flights were diverted back to their point of origin or to other destinations. In one specific scenario, 6,700 airline passengers on 38 flights landed in the town of Gander on Newfoundland. Gander only has 10,000 residents, and over the next few days, the resilient, resourceful Canadians showed their unexpected guests hospitality, shelter and care in a way that surprised and moved many people. The new Broadway musical Come From Away celebrates those random acts of kindness in the wake of a horrible tragedy.
Read More »
WrestleMania 33
The “Ultimate Thrill Ride”
On April 2, more than 75,000 fans converged at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida to cheer on their favorite wrestling Superstars in the “Showcase of the Immortals” known as WrestleMania.
Read More »
The Rigging for ‘WrestleMania 33:’ A Closer Look
Atlanta Rigging Systems Constructed a Technological Marvel
The word, “amazing,” is often overused when describing an accomplishment or event. It also has different connotations, in that in can be complimentary in one sense, or derogatory in another. Consider; “That was amazing!” Or, “I’m amazed that guy can find his own….[insert word].”
Read More »
Andrea ‘AJ’ Patterson
On Life as a Moving Light Tech for the WWE
Andrea Patterson (AJ) grew up in Northern Illinois, with an interest in theater. In her teens, she involved herself with the Kirk Players, a troupe from Mundelein that has now been involved in community theater for over 50 years. She acted as well as worked in every department involved in a production. She actually worked one paid gig before heading off to college for scenic design and production.
Read More »
The Weeknd ‘Starboy: Legend of the Fall’ 2017 Tour
Singer, songwriter and record producer The Weeknd (Abel Makkonen Tesfaye), is back out on the road, along with a massive set design by stage designer Es Devlin (Beyoncé, Adele, U2), who’s illustrious background includes design in theatre, dance, pop music, film and TV. Solotech provided all of the lighting and video elements in use. We spoke with two key individuals who worked with Devlin on the tour currently out on a North American leg, lighting designer Sooner Routhier (The Lumineers, Mötley Crüe, G-Eazy), and lighting director/programmer Darien Koop (Pentatonix, Sara Bareilles, Mutemath).
Read More »
Eric Church ‘Holdin’ My Own’ Tour 2017
Eric Church is out packing arenas on his “Holdin’ My Own Tour” with Butch Allen back as production and lighting designer and Rob Koenig and Scott Chmielewski as programmers. With close to three hours on stage, Church covers the bases and doesn’t disappoint the fans with his 360 end stage show, where he can get close and personal. We spoke with lighting director Gavin Lake about Allen’s production design. Lake took over LD duties back in February of 2015, as he explains.
Read More »