My Theatrical lighting designs and projects I have worked on can be found on my other website
Light It in Red : Showtime Project
Due to the pandemic thousands of people who work in the entertainment industry have been out of work for over a year now. Light it in red is an organisation that was put together along with #wemakeevents to highlight the difficulty the industry and its workers are facing.
the Light it in red campaign inspired by Germany’s #NightofLight2020 encouraged companies from all across the events industry to light buildings and event locations in red on 6th July 2020 to draw attention to the dire situation in the events industry and make a statement that can’t be ignored.
Over 670 buildings and structures were illuminated including Buxton Opera House my local theatre where I worked fulltime as a lighting technician and designed a number of the young company productions between 2013 – 2015 and was due to work there as a freelancer again in March 2020.
I was proud to be a part of the event and help set up the lighting provided by LiveLX
On Tuesday 11th August we did it again. In support of #WeMakeEvents RED ALERT campaign lighting 725 venues, buildings, objects and homes.
Between 15th – 19th March 2021 the Light it in red campaign asked the live events industry to come together in a show of solidarity for all those still working or training and those who have had to walk away due to personal and financial hardship. Showing hope and support to all those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, for those that have lost family members, for those that have lost homes and livelihoods and for those that have put their lives on hold. Using the emblem of a heart to do so we were asked to do this in any way we could. Either by using a logo that Light it in red had created themselves or anything we had around the house. The idea was that we could show support, still feel part of something using the resources we had to hand without breaking any restrictions or spending any money.
During in the third lockdown I have been taking part in Practical Art History Classes ran by wonderful artists Anna FC Smith and Klaire Doyle. The classes consist of learning about a different artist each week and taking part in three tasks that mirror the artists own work. One of the artists we had previously learnt about was Yayoi Kusama an incredible Japanese Contemporary Artist. I had seen one of Kusama’s instillations at the Guggenheim in Abu Dhabi in 2015 ‘Infinity Mirrored Room—Filled with the Brilliance of Life‘ an immersive instillation that is filled with mirrors, lights and water leaving you surrounded with endless reflections of what feels like the universe. One of the tasks we had during the session was to create a room of our own using a cardboard box. being a lighting designer I went for a lightbox. This is what inspired me to create Showtime. Released at showtime (7:30pm) everyday it is a story of how myself, my collaborator Sound Designer Hannah Griffiths and many others in our industry have felt during this year.
Rachel E Cleary 