NEW YORK – The By Design Day fundraising event for Behind the Scenes and Light Relief in the U.K. will return in 2010, with support once again from lighting designers Paule Constable, Ken Billington and Ken Posner, along with Light Relief's co-founder, Rick Fisher. Established in 2007 as Light Relief Day and now renamed By Design Day, April 24 is the day that, each year, people in the professional design business give back to help others less fortunate than themselves.
The first joint venture between Behind the Scenes and Light Relief raised $11,500 – $5,700 for Behind the Scenes and £3,450 for Light Relief. The money came through a variety of channels, including royalties from Broadway and West End shows, touring productions, donations on Facebook and even bucket collections among audience members.
For 2010, the organizers are giving designers on both sides of the Atlantic advance warning of By Design Day 2010 which is set for April 24 in honor of the late Tony Gottelier, co-founder of Light Relief. Lighting, video, scenic, sound, and costume designers are asked to donate their royalties for the day, while others in non-royalty situations give what they are able.
For more information, please visit www.estafoundation.org and www.lightrelief.org.uk.
