The beloved church production I Will Follow Christ transformed the sanctuary at Hearts on Fire Church in Covina, California, captivating audiences with its powerful message and immersive experience. With over 5,000 attendees across five performances, the production combined compelling storytelling with dramatic, cutting-edge stage effects—brought to life with help from Antari Lighting and Effects’ signature low-lying fog. Since its return in 2022—after a brief hiatus—I Will Follow Christ has experienced a revival under the leadership of Pastor Tommy & Asenath Casarez, with a renewed emphasis on theatricality and immersive audience experiences. This year’s production showcased new technical achievements, made possible in large part by the LA PartyWorks team and their integration of the Antari DNG-250 low-lying fog machine. A longtime production partner and proud sponsor of the play, LA PartyWorks brought both expertise and equipment to the table.
To create deeply atmospheric visuals, the production team required fog effects that were not only powerful but also dependable. The Antari DNG-250 served as the primary fog system throughout the show, complemented by a legacy Antari DNG-100 unit—also supplied by LA PartyWorks. As the Los Angeles-based live event and production company, LA PartyWorks provided comprehensive support, including lighting design and direction, atmospheric effects, visuals, and rigging—helping to elevate the performance to new creative heights. “The desired effect was achieved exactly how we envisioned it,” said Isaac Vejar, Lighting Director for both Hearts on Fire Church and LA PartyWorks. “Whether it was a fog curtain rolling from the ceiling of the tomb or graveyard effects, the DNG-250 handled everything beautifully. The audience was swimming in it—it was awesome.”
The fog machines were strategically placed inside the tomb structure, with custom piping routed to various parts of the stage, including the tomb’s inner roof. This setup enabled seamless scene transitions and delivered impressive visuals under tight time constraints. “We often had less than a minute to fill the entire stage with fog before the next dramatic moment,” added Vejar. “I needed a powerful machine that could get the job done fast, and the DNG-250 did not disappoint.”
Antari’s commitment to reliability and customer support also played a key role in the production’s success. “My past experience with these units and the trust I have in my Antari rep, Ryan Medvitz, made the decision easy,” said Vejar. The impact of the fog effects extended beyond the stage. “Watching the kids in the audience trying to grab the fog as it crept through the crowd reminded me why I got into this business,” Vejar shared. “Fog and lights are cool—they’re timeless. They bring wonder and help tell stories in unforgettable ways.” Kreston Merveille, Technical Director for Hearts on Fire Church, oversaw the broader integration of lighting, sound, and stage design. The collaboration with Eric Elkaim, owner of LA PartyWorks and a major sponsor, ensured that the production met professional standards while staying true to its spiritual mission.
Find out more about LA PartyWorks at www.partyworksinteractive.com
Learn more about Antari at www.antari.com
