When creating a show, it is crucial to ensure that no one is “in the dark”. Though, beyond obvious physical visibility, lighting design “adds a layer of realism. It puts people into the world”. This week, we interviewed theater electrician and lighting designer Quentin Kurtz, who is actively working in New York City in the technical theater scene.

Lighting design involves the strategic placement and manipulation of lights in a production. It contributes to the storytelling process by using color, intensity, and depth to create an immersive experience that resonates with the audience. For Kurtz, “shadow and layers make a good design. It’s not all about turning lights on and making sure that actors are visible because sometimes having an actor secluded or in the dark can really make or break a scene”. A good lighting designer has the ability to create depth and create subconscious emotions for the audience.

This level of design expertise doesn’t come without difficulty and skill. “Unexpected challenges are always going to be scenic elements. You never know exactly where a scenic piece is going to be- even when its drafted, even when it’s talked about one hundred times- it’s never going to be right where you want it. You have to learn to adapt to those changes all the time.” Adaptability, therefore, is a key skill for any designer, but it is particularly relevant in lighting.

Another important quality of a lighting designer is the ability to communicate effectively. For Kurtz, a large part of the daily routine is communicating with team members (programmers, assistant designers, directors, actors, etc.) about the design and making sure that all the work is being done properly. Making a design come to life requires a lot of people who are dedicated to the production, and being an active member of the team allows the production to come to life.

For aspiring designers, Kurtz leaves this piece of advice: “Stick with it, and enjoy what you do. Find the people you like to work with; you end up enjoying the production more, and it ends up being [a better show]”. Finding a good production team and finding joy in your work creates a successful show.

The hard work and expertise required is challenging; however, lighting design is such a rewarding career because your visions can come to life before your eyes, and you get to create theater that impacts the world around us!