While growing up in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan a career in professional theatre was never really a thought and New York seemed like such a far-off place. Fast-forward a few decades, and I have spent almost 10 years touring the world with 8 different productions, and have spent three years managing the lighting systems for a 4-venue experimental performing arts center outside of Albany, NY.  With all of that under my belt, I have just embarked on my latest professional adventure; a cross-country relocation to my new professional home as the Head Electrician at the American Conservatory Theater’s Geary Theatre in San Francisco, CA.  Over the past fifteen-years, I have fostered a unique blend of photographic knowledge and theatrical lighting design that allows me to truly understand the nuances present on the theatrical stage. This unique skill set helps me to understand a wide variety of production settings; to best capture images that will continue to document productions and characters for years to come, and to create thoughtful dynamic imagery in the real world that borrows the aesthetic from the theatrical stage.

Theatrical Production Technician

I began my career in professional theatre and lighting while working as a student with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts Local #274 in East Lansing, MI and a decade later, I have worked in countless theatres and performing arts spaces around the globe. After moving to the NY Capital Region, I continue to work in the arts in a local Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center and with IATSE Local #14 as an ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician.

Theatrical Lighting Direction & Design

Lighting Design, both collegiate and professional, was the focus of my time in East Lansing, Michigan while studying at the Michigan State University Department of Theatre. After attaining my B.A. degree in theatre with an emphasis on Production in 2004, I decided to move into a professional career in which I could work along-side world-class designers and learn as much as I could along the way. Having learned more than I ever could have imagined from the designers, associates, assistants and production teams along the way, I am excited to focus more on theatrical design as my career continues to evolve.

 

Theatrical Photography

 

I have had the distinct privilege of photographing some excellent touring Broadway productions; with cast and creative teams that are some of the biggest talents in the industry. Productions photographed include The Wizard of Oz, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat starring Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young, and the first national tour of the TONY™ award winning musical, MEMPHIS starring Bryan Fenkart and Felicia Boswell. Imagery of these productions and more are located on my photography website by clicking the button below.

 

dswalecphoto.com