Singingwithlights

For Space Jesus’ 2020 record label launch, I undertook the full production direction and management for the Moon Dot Landing Tour. Starting with a Vectorworks workflow, my design was created incorporating lighting, video, lasers and automation to fit all venues on the run with an easy load-in and load-out process via semi trailer. All operation was on the fly busking, no timecode. We experimented with mirrors for reflection points and embellished the aesthetic with fake foliage.

Space Jesus and I had a busy festival season in 2019, reaching many major music destinations such as Bonnaroo, Lost Lands, Bass Canyon, Wakaan Festival, and many more. I designed and sourced several curated events over this period as well.

This tour was my first opportunity to design and operate both lighting and video as well as lasers. The rig had to ride on a tourbus trailer, fit in small venues and feel big in large ones. I filled the roles of project manager, master electrician, video and laser technician, GrandMA2 operator and programmer while also helping with load-in and load-out.

Photos by Shutterfinger & Tyler Hill

Designed by Voyage Productions, lighting and video operated and programmed by Tyler Ellis. Gear provided by LMG. I helped setup, operate and tear down this production as my first tour.

Photos by various, watermarked credits

Returning for a third year, the Dark Moon Designs team brought the Ocular Organ into Sherwood Forest proper at a new location for 2018. With interaction and sound-to-light in mind, the immersive light installation comes to life over two weeks for anyone to play. I’m responsible for the implementation, programming and design of the show, which changes throughout the day and night.

Select photos by Electric Forest & @shotbywozniak

For a fourth year, I helped out ECTO Productions as a Master Electrician and Lighting Programmer for Summercamp Music Festival in Chillicothe, Illinois. I helped setup the rig, integrate touring LDs into the GrandMA2, and the ran shows for bands that didn’t have operators. Pictures are from the show I ran for Phil Lesh.

Photos by Lucas Ewing

I had the opportunity to busk light shows for bass music artist Space Jesus both weekends of Electric Forest 2018, in the Jubilee tent by PGP Productions and Sherwood Court stage by Brown Note Productions.

Photos by Shutterfinger

This was my first time touring on the road. I traveled with Gramatik by bus for 26 shows across the western half of Europe, running lighting and video with whatever equipment was provided or rented. We played at a variety of venues, including clubs and large festivals.

I was a substitute programmer and operator busking lighting and video for 14 shows on this extensive bass music tour provided by Solotech.

I worked as an electrician, programmer and operator for ECTO Productions at Summercamp’s Sunshine Stage. Helping setup the stage and integrate touring LDs into the light rig where my main responsibilities, while running shows for any bands that didn’t have an operator.

The Ocular Organ makes it’s new, reconstructed appearance for it’s second time at Electric Forest in 2017. The team at Dark Moon Designs re-imagined the interactive instrument from the ground up, from construction to interactive effects. I was responsible for the design, programming and implementation of the lighting system.

Chance The Rapper brought a day of music to Chicago with the Magnificent Coloring Day Festival. I as responsible for programming the light rig and running the show for any artists that needed an operator. This included Alicia Keys, Lil’ Wayne and Kanye West.

ECTO Productions had me out on Summercamp Music Festival to help as an electrician and programmer to help integrate touring lighting productions.

While working for Intelligent Lighting Creations, I had the opportunity to help on this production for Nike. It was an outdoor installation situated on a barge in the Chicago river downtown, used for exercise and product demonstrations of winter wear. I helped set up and program the lighting, as well as maintain the rig through the cold of several weeks outside.

The jam band Zoofunkyou is, in their own words, “a psychedelic stew featuring a Chicago-based bluesy broth, sizzlin' with soul, chunks of funk, and meaningful melodic lyrics.” We work together to create unique production for each show we do. I created them a video content package I run next to lighting, and busked for many of their local live shows.

While working at Intelligent Lighting Creations, in addition to working on the lights I also got to take them out on productions when the time was right. I worked on an eclectic assortment of gigs over the years, including museum exhibitions, corporate presentations, theater productions, fashion shows and outdoor attractions.

I worked at Intelligent Lighting Creations (ILC) from 2013 until 2017 in various capacities, mostly between coiling cable and fixing moving lights. I was Vari*Lite certified in 2015 and helped maintain an inventory of several hundred fixtures from various manufactures including Phillips, Clay Paky, Robe, and High End in a fast-paced rental setting. The quality control comes first at ILC, and the repair department helped me learn about the inner workings of the tools that drive the lighting craft.

My senior year of highschool was spent mostly in the realm of theater, with Variety Show being a massive undertaking. I helped build the set and hang the lighting rental, as well as program and run the show. These times were the foundation of my lighting career, getting to work with the professionals in Glenbrook South’s fine arts department helped me find and learn about my love for light in performance.

Photos by Jeff Sliwa

The Glenbrook musical in 2011 was Chicago, which I had the opportunity to stage manage. I learned how large scale productions run and got to be at the helm with the help of my teachers, calling cues and making things run smoothly for all departments on time. The set incorporated automated decking, flown silks, and a full orchestra amidst a large cast and crew of students.

Photos by Jeff Sliwa

Glenbrook Souths’ Variety Show Heros was my first major show behind a moving light desk, programming and operating the show run. I learned many of the core skills I use daily as an operator today here, working with the fine arts professionals to realize a show compiled of dozens of acts.

Photos by Jeff Sliwa

This was my first year of Glenbrook South Variety Show. Little did I know the impact this show would have on me over the years. I learned to work with a team on a professional production, which I find to be a rewarding experience. I helped setup the automated lighting rig, and ran the conventional lighting for the show.

Photos by Jeff Sliwa