Getting to work with these amazing people on my thesis was such a gift. After a long hiatus from posting, I’m so excited to share photos from Knowing Eyes, my lighting design thesis this spring. In this original movement piece, I explored how we can support love and romance through lighting. Created with the amazing @nicolette.mango@_anna_kathleen@spencer_rm01 and @val__z . Photography by Ken Yotsukura and Henry Sirota.
I am truly so grateful to have gotten this experience. It’s crazy how fast this came together, from the ten piano songs that I chose, through developing a storyline and a relationship between the characters in rehearsal, adding in live piano accompaniment, and setting it in light. I’m amazed at what we made and I absolutely never expected what we ended up with, nor could I have done it without everyone who was involved.
Feel free to check out my website at johnholmes.design for more photos and a video!
Our Town, presented by BU School of Music
Director: Nathan Troup
Scenic Designer: Sarah Lloyd
Costume Designer: Michael O’Herron
Lighting Designer: me!
Photographer: Jacob Chang
I think this is my favorite design I’ve ever worked on! Thank you everyone who was part of the process of mounting a fully realized production in a space without rigging, dimming, or any lighting inventory. It took a lot of work from a lot of people and I cannot express how much I appreciate it
Elements XX
Organized by @bufusion
Lighting Design by me and @isaakolsonlights
Production supported by @busps
Photography by Sean Chee
Thank you @highoutputinc for hundreds of feet of pipe, thousands of cable, and helping us make a 27-fixture par wall within our budget!
These Shining Lives at Boston College
Director: Molly Caballero
Scenic Designer: Grace Cutler
Costume Designer: Mary Zimmerman
Sound Designer: Abigail Wickman
Props Designer: Emme Shaw
Lighting Designer: me!
Photography by Matthew Duong
TitanISH at Greater Boston Stage Co.
Director: Tyler Rosati
Scenic Designer: Rachel Rose Robert’s
Sound Designer: Andrew Duncan Will
Costume Designer: Bethany Mullins
Lighting Designer: me!
M.E.: Isaak Olson and Jack Culton
Lighting rentals from @highoutputinc
The Unknowable at Sanders Theatre
Produced by Lowell House Opera
Composer: Benjamin T. Rossen
Director: Haley Stark
Lighting Designer: me!
M.E.: Jack Culton
ALD: Valerie Zhao
Photography: Sarah Erickson and Crystal Manyloun
Lighting Equipment from @highoutputinc and @martinprofessional
Got to see The Rockettes at Radio City this year with @michael.oherron.54 ! They were fantastic, the rest of the Christmas spectacular was kinda ehhh, but it sure was a spectacle.
I’m really happy that I got to see Radio City, I’ve heard about it so much and now seeing it in person, it is such a grand and iconic venue. We were seated in what could be the worst seat in the house but I still had a full view and got the full experience, it feels like a really well designed house to me.
And they had me the moment I saw every layer of concentric proscenium throughout the house, lined the whole way with roundel strip lights. GORGEOUS
Got to see Some Like it Hot in New York with @michael.oherron.54
Finally catching up on Broadway shows after all these years! We rushed and got like fourth row side tix!
Loved this beautiful show about found and unconditional love in so many different kinds. It was also truly such a spectacle, I LOVED the over the top dances and the singing was incredible. Also let me just say, I have never seen a balcony rail that loaded up with lighting fixtures in my life.
Grateful I got to see it right before it closed!
I just got to see Real Women Have Curves at the A.R.T. and I cannot express how impactful and full of heart this show is, I had the most amazing experience.
There is so much honesty and truth in this story, and it’s supported by an absolutely gorgeous, vibrant and dynamic design. The way this set transformed from a home to a clothing factory and more was really beautiful and I loved the way it was layered.
This fall, I got to light a production of Othello at Massasoit Theatre Company, set 50 years in the future. Very happy with how it turned out!
Othello, at Massasoit Theatre Company
Director: Corinne Mason
Scenic Designer: Nathan Fogg
Costume Designer: Bridget Austin-Weiss
Lighting Designer: me!
Photographer: Matthew Duong
I just might have a new favorite musical and it just might be Hadestown
What a beautifully told story, I cried several times and it had me so captivated the entire time. Somehow this endless cycle of almost getting there, but just missing it, but the hope that it inspires or even forces to keep going, is incredible and real and so so so sad.
Also, OMFG the lighting was amazing. Bradley King is quite a legend. I vividly remember the high back diagonals pouring in in this gorgeous minty green
Thanks for going with me @_brianna_christine
Elements XXI, presented by Fusion Dance
What a huge and crazy show. It took a lot from so many people to get this 32-strip light pipe wall, 3 hung trusses, and eight booms up in 3 days. And weeks of visualization by Isaak Olson.
Thank you SPS and Fusion for supporting this huge idea and making it come to life!
Lighting Designers: Isaak Olson, Valerie Zhao, and yours truly!
Sound Design: Irene Wang, Noah Kim
Sound Operator: Emma Lutz
Projection: Vlad Rada
Stage Manager: Cat Vess
ASM: Evan Brown
Production Manager: me!
Assistant Production Electricians:
Jack Culton
Celeste Delgadillo
Graciella Morales
Justin Lang
Lena Broach
Nadeen Abouzahra
Oscar Fong
Roger Brown
Photography by Sean Chee @seancheesecake
