A Marquette Theatre alum shines a spotlight on Broadway's lighting design scene.
The Power of Accidental Discoveries
Maaz Ahmed, a former Marquette student, stumbled upon their passion for lighting design in middle school. It was a chance encounter with a choir teacher's invitation that sparked their interest. Little did they know, this accidental discovery would lead them to a successful career in lighting design.
The Bug Bites: A Lasting Passion
Ahmed vividly recalls the satisfaction of their first show, a feeling that hooked them and kept them engaged ever since. Their journey from a Marquette graduate with a double major in digital media and theatre arts to an accomplished lighting designer in Milwaukee is an inspiring tale.
A Lighting Designer's Role: Creating Atmospheres
But here's where it gets controversial... Lighting designers are often seen as the cinematographers of theatre, with the power to control the audience's focus and experience. Ahmed describes their role as shaping the atmosphere, ensuring each moment is felt as intended by the director. It's a creative process that involves a lot more than just flipping switches.
The Process: From Script to Stage
Ahmed's process begins with reading the script and collaborating with the director to ensure a shared creative vision. They then dive into architectural drawings and computer-aided design to plan the placement of lighting instruments. The math behind it all is intricate, ensuring each light beam serves its purpose. From there, they program the lights, deciding on colors and timing, making it a multi-stage creative journey.
Challenges and Achievements
Ahmed shares their pride in working on "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity," a wrestling play that presented a unique challenge due to its scale. They also mention a hyper-realist production where they had to engineer a solution to hang lights above a ceiling installed over the stage. These experiences showcase Ahmed's adaptability and creativity.
Marquette's Impact: Freedom to Explore
And this is the part most people miss... Marquette Theatre offered Ahmed a sense of freedom to explore various aspects of theatre. They entered Marquette as a student with an interest in lighting design but also got to act and direct, giving them a well-rounded understanding of the entire process. This freedom, Ahmed believes, is what sets Marquette apart and informs their lighting design practice even today.
Advice for Aspiring Theatre Artists
Ahmed encourages current and prospective theatre students to take ownership of their experiences. The theatre program, they say, is what you make of it. If you're passionate about pursuing theatre professionally, give it your all, as this dedication will lay the foundation for a successful career in the industry.
So, what do you think? Is lighting design an often-overlooked but crucial aspect of theatre? Do you agree with Ahmed's take on the role of a lighting designer? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
