"I was brought in at the last moment to redo Lohengrin at the Metropolitan Opera and Rudy Kuntner, the lighting designer, got sick. I had just read it on the airplane. As soon as we landed I went out and I bought about 50 pounds of eight inch diameter chocolate chip cookies. Anybody who came to that desk and wanted to help me light, I'd give them an eight inch chocolate chip cookie. It would take them so long to eat it that I could get lighting done while everybody was busy eating chocolate chip cookies."
The Hemsley Lighting Programs' 6th annual Lighting Portfolio Review will be held March 28, 2010 at Lincoln Center, in New York City. This unique opportunity will allow graduate lighting students to enter into an extended dialogue with leading theater professionals for critique of their portfolios. The day long format allows time for informal question and answer sessions about professional life as well as networking opportunities with peers, Broadway production electricians, working designers and artistic directors.
The transition of a student to the professional world is one of the most anticipated and intimidating moments of a young designers life. Despite the years of training and hard work, the leap into the unknown can be nerve racking. The Hemsley Lighting Portfolio Review is designed to give the student a chance to meet first hand with professional designers so that they can improve their portfolios and get answers and advice from those already working in the industry.
With over 25 years of experience in offering training opportunities to young designers, The Hemsley Lighting Programs honor the life and spirit of Gilbert V. Hemsley Jr., who was dedicated to helping students in lighting and life. The Hemsley Lighting Portfolio Review continues this mission of creating
opportunities to aid students in their transition to the professional world.
The Hemsley Lighting Portfolio Review Tentative Schedule
March 27, 2010
Students will arrive on March 28 in the afternoon for check in and a tour of Lincoln Center Theaters. Saturday evening will be available for seeing performances in NY or possible seminars
March 28, 2010
9am-9:30am Coffee
An informal opportunity for students to meet with other students and theater professionals to talk about areas of common interest, answer questions about transitions to the professional world, and get to know first hand some of the inside stories of life in New York.
9:30 am-12:30 pm Review Sessions
Each student will be scheduled 4 different 40-minute review sessions. One will be a one- on-one session with a professional designer, one will be a panel of 2-3 professional designers, one with Broadway production electricians, and one will be a panel of scenic and costume designers, directors, and other theatre professionals. Each will review their portfolio and discuss their preparation for their upcoming transition to professional life. Following each final interview the student will set up their area for a group exhibit.
Lunch 12:30pm-1:30 pm
1:30pm-4pm Continued Review Sessions
4:30pm-6:00pm Designer or Design Team Panel Discussion
Industry leading professionals or the professional design team of a currently running show will conduct a group presentation followed by question and answer.
6:pm-8pm Reception and Open to the Public Design Exhibit
Application
Lighting Portfolio Review Guidelines
Students will be selected by their professors from each University.
Participants must be 3rd year Graduate students 4th year Undergraduates. will be accepted from those schools without Graduate programs or on a first come first served basis if space is available.
School Participants List due by February 15, 2009
Travel, Lodging, Food (except for March 28 breakfast, lunch, and reception) are participants responsibility.
Display area is 4' of table space and 4'x4' wall space
Electricity will be provided if requested in advance
All Faculty are invited to observe and participate
2nd year Grads can also come as observers
Please direct questions and applications to:
Mr. Mark Stanley
Resident Lighting Designer
New York City Ballet
20 Lincoln Center
NYC, NY 10023
Phone: (212) 870-4205
