We have been fortunate to speak with and learn from many lighting and scenic design professionals over the years, with careers ranging from film and video to live entertainment and architainment and beyond. Explore our library of City Theatrical interviews below, with the most recent interviews listed first.
Browse by year of interview:
Featured ◾ 2024 ◾ 2023 ◾ 2022 ◾ 2021 ◾ 2020 ◾ 2019 ◾ 2018 ◾ 2017 and earlier ◾ All Interview Archive (2001 through current)
(Listed in reverse chronological order)
Featured June 2024 Interview: Cheyenne Mendoza, Technical Director, VPAC
Cheyenne Mendoza is a Technical Director based at the Vilar Performing Arts Center (VPAC), which is uniquely located slopeside at one of the world’s premier winter sports resorts, Beaver Creek, Colorado, USA. City Theatrical had the opportunity to talk with Cheyenne backstage during “Spring Skiing” season to find out more about his career, what it’s like to light shows in the Rocky Mountains, his favorite performances at the VPAC, and why he prefers to use City Theatrical’s GLP beam control accessories with his X5 light fixtures.
Interview page![QolorTopix podcast interview with Jay Woods QolorTopix podcast interview with Jay Woods](/images/default-source/case-study/slide2.jpg?sfvrsn=2837c700_0)
QolorTOPIX Podcast Episode 4 featuring Scenic Electrics Engineer Jay Woods is available now.
Listen now![Cheyenne Mendoza Backstage square lr Cheyenne Mendoza Backstage square lr](/images/default-source/case-study/cheyenne-mendoza-backstage-square-lr.jpg?sfvrsn=f2f670d1_5)
Cheyenne Mendoza, VPAC
June 2024 Interview with VPAC's Technical Director Cheyenne Mendoza, based in Colorado, USA.
Interview page![Andrew Nikel at PLASA 2008 square Andrew Nikel at PLASA 2008 square](/images/default-source/website-images-/andrew-nikel-at-plasa-2008---square.jpg?sfvrsn=9667e7a3_2)
Andrew Nikel Memorial
April 2024 interview re-post from the 2020 retirement interview with City Theatrical sales professional, Andrew Nikel, upon his passing.
Interview page![Rob Scarborough Headshot Rob Scarborough Headshot](/images/default-source/case-study/robert-scarborough-csc---headshot-sq.jpg?sfvrsn=1e104e28_3)
Robert Scarborough CSC
January 2024 Designer Interview with Robert Scarborough CSC, Director of Photography, based in Toronto, Canada.
Interview page![Gary Fails, President of City Theatrical Gary Fails, President of City Theatrical](/images/default-source/website-images-/gary-fails-president-of-city-theatrical.jpg?sfvrsn=1dcd1405_4)
Gary Fails
December 2023 Interview with Gary Fails upon his retirement from City Theatrical, after founding the company 37 years ago.
Interview page![Anne Dresbach portrait Anne Dresbach portrait](/images/default-source/case-study/anne-dresbach-by-a-priori-photography-square.jpg?sfvrsn=8a772f83_3)
Anne Dresbach
August 2023 Designer Interview with Anne Dresbach, Boston-based Lead Lighting Designer and Project Manager at VDA Inc.
Interview page![David Grill square David Grill square](/images/default-source/case-study/david-grill-square.jpg?sfvrsn=725d5d41_3)
David Grill
June 2023 Designer Interview with five-time Emmy Award winning lighting designer, who lit Bob Fosse's Dancin' Broadway.
Interview page![Steve Ramsey Steve Ramsey](/images/default-source/case-study/steve-ramsey-square95b0ac39473045668e8ca2784d5ce700.jpeg?sfvrsn=7080e95f_2)
Steven Ramsey
March 2023 Chief Lighting Technician Interview with NYC-based Steven Ramsey on his career in film lighting.
Interview page![Jennifer Schriever, Lighting Designer Jennifer Schriever, Lighting Designer](/images/default-source/icons/jennifer-schriever-2022.jpg?sfvrsn=1e444cf3_3)
Jennifer Schriever
August 2022 Designer Interview on recent Tony Award nomination for A Strange Loop.
Interview page![marcus doshi lighting designer marcus doshi lighting designer](/images/default-source/case-study/marcus-doshi-square.jpg?sfvrsn=e2d9b333_0)
Marcus Doshi
January 2022 Designer Interview with Marcus Doshi on projects and his new book release.
Read Interview![kevin barry kevin barry](/images/default-source/case-study/kevin-barry-lr.jpg?sfvrsn=908794d7_0)
![Mitchell fenton Mitchell fenton](/images/default-source/case-study/mitchell-fenton.jpg?sfvrsn=c00e7f6f_0)
![jeff croiter jeff croiter](/images/default-source/case-study/jeff-croiter-2021-sq.jpg?sfvrsn=e64c914d_0)
![Yuki Nakase Link Yuki Nakase Link](/images/default-source/case-study/yuki-nakase-link---square-sm.jpg?sfvrsn=a854cfcd_0)
![mike baldassari mike baldassari](/images/default-source/case-study/mike-baldassari-photo-med-2018-square.jpg?sfvrsn=420f1e18_0)
![Jack Weir Jack Weir](/images/default-source/icons/jack-weir-square-crop.jpg?sfvrsn=9b22864f_0)
![Tim Deiling Tim Deiling](/images/default-source/case-study/tim-deiling-square.jpg?sfvrsn=546c4a1a_0)
![Allen Lee Hughes Allen Lee Hughes](/images/default-source/case-study/allen-lee-hughes-square.jpg?sfvrsn=a9762b51_0)
![Ken Billington at Waitress Japan Tour from New York Ken Billington at Waitress Japan Tour from New York](/images/default-source/case-study/ken-billington-at-waitress-japan-tour-from-new-york-small.jpg?sfvrsn=680bcf69_0)
![mitchell-fenton mitchell-fenton](/images/default-source/website-images-/mitchell-fenton.jpg?sfvrsn=3facee6a_0)
![Ben Stanton Ben Stanton](/images/default-source/icons/ben-stanton.jpg?sfvrsn=8db2e63a_0)
![Matt Gordon and Mick Smith Matt Gordon and Mick Smith](/images/default-source/icons/matt-gordon-mick-smith-square2.jpg?sfvrsn=1018bafa_0)
![Ken Billington Ken Billington](/images/default-source/icons/ken-billington-square.jpg?sfvrsn=dcf4b8d0_0)
![Michelle Poley Michelle Poley](/images/default-source/icons/michelle-poley-in-situ-square.jpg?sfvrsn=c854a414_0)
![Matthew Adelson square Matthew Adelson square](/images/default-source/website-images-/matthew-adelson-square.jpg?sfvrsn=8b0780fe_0)
![Bradley King Beowulf Boritt-Square Bradley King Beowulf Boritt-Square](/images/default-source/website-images-/bradley-king-beowulf-boritt-square.jpg?sfvrsn=fc7c8683_0)
Bradley King and Beowulf Boritt
June 2020 Interview on Flying Over Sunset on Broadway.
Read Interview![isabella byrd square isabella byrd square](/images/default-source/website-images-/isabella-byrd-square.jpg?sfvrsn=b299770b_0)
![jane-cox-photo-by-evan-alexander-square jane-cox-photo-by-evan-alexander-square](/images/default-source/website-images-/jane-cox-photo-by-evan-alexander-square.jpg?sfvrsn=5b73eef3_0)
![Andrew Nikel at PLASA 2008 square Andrew Nikel at PLASA 2008 square](/images/default-source/website-images-/andrew-nikel-at-plasa-2008---square.jpg?sfvrsn=9667e7a3_2)
Andrew Nikel
April 2020 Retirement Interview with City Theatrical USA Sales Team Member.
Read Interview![japhy weideman headshot japhy weideman headshot](/images/default-source/website-images-/japhy-weideman-headshot.jpg?sfvrsn=67ddc276_0)
![Martin Chisnall - square Martin Chisnall - square](/images/default-source/website-images-/martin-chisnall---square.jpg?sfvrsn=9b9ce3bd_0)
![Tim-Deiling-square Tim-Deiling-square](/images/default-source/website-images-/tim-deiling-square.jpg?sfvrsn=27fb845e_0)
![Jay Woods Square Jay Woods Square](/images/default-source/website-images-/jay-woods-square.jpg?sfvrsn=b3cfe16_2)
![Andrew Voller square Andrew Voller square](/images/default-source/website-images-/andrew-voller-square.jpg?sfvrsn=aa82b3ac_0)
Andrew Voller
August 2019 Interview with this UK-based designer and creator of Moving Light Assistant software.
Read Interview![June Abernathy - square June Abernathy - square](/images/default-source/website-images-/june-abernathy---square.jpg?sfvrsn=3fdaef63_0)
June Abernathy
June 2019 Interview with this Author of The Spotlight Operator's Handbook.
Read Interview![Al-crawford-portrait Al-crawford-portrait](/images/default-source/website-images-/al-crawford-portrait.jpg?sfvrsn=84cbe0ca_0)
![Quinn-McDonald-and-Jack-OConnor Quinn-McDonald-and-Jack-OConnor](/images/default-source/website-images-/quinn-mcdonald-and-jack-oconnor.jpg?sfvrsn=f2e64347_0)
Quinn McDonald and Jack O'Connor
February 2019 Interview with Next Generation designers
Read Interview![Tyler-Micoleau-and-Scott-Pask-Square Tyler-Micoleau-and-Scott-Pask-Square](/images/default-source/website-images-/tyler-micoleau-and-scott-pask-square.jpg?sfvrsn=7b7c8d22_0)
Tyler Micoleau and Scott Pask
November 2018 Conversation on LED Tape with designers of The Band's Visit on Broadway.
Read Interview![Tom Lenz square Tom Lenz square](/images/default-source/website-images-/tom-lenz-square.png?sfvrsn=fe560e44_0)
![Phil Widmer square Phil Widmer square](/images/default-source/website-images-/phil-widmer-square.jpg?sfvrsn=e3a1f336_0)
![JR Sample JR Sample](/images/default-source/icons/jr-sample.jpg?sfvrsn=f89dcf43_0)
![Andrew Voller square Andrew Voller square](/images/default-source/website-images-/andrew-voller-square.jpg?sfvrsn=aa82b3ac_0)
Andrew Voller
September 2016 Interview on developing Moving Light Assistant software.
Read Interview![Jake-DeGroot-Square Jake-DeGroot-Square](/images/default-source/website-images-/jake-degroot-square.jpg?sfvrsn=e0c3ac8_0)
![Alex Passmore Alex Passmore](/images/default-source/icons/alex-passmore-square.jpg?sfvrsn=1cce0e85_0)
![Erin-Giblin-Tillikum-Crossing Erin-Giblin-Tillikum-Crossing](/images/default-source/website-images-/erin-giblin-tillikum-crossing.jpg?sfvrsn=8aff49b7_0)
![Chris Kurtz interview curious dog Chris Kurtz interview curious dog](/images/default-source/website-images-/chris-kurtz-interview-curious-dog.jpg?sfvrsn=a7293abf_0)
![Pip Biancamano Pip Biancamano](/images/default-source/icons/pip-biancamano.jpg?sfvrsn=60be9d23_0)
![Jamie Burnett Terra Tractus Jamie Burnett Terra Tractus](/images/default-source/website-images-/jamie-burnett-terra-tractus.jpg?sfvrsn=a7da2ca4_0)
![Soren-Dalgaard-Square Soren-Dalgaard-Square](/images/default-source/website-images-/soren-dalgaard-square.jpg?sfvrsn=39afad3d_0)
![Alex Fogel Alex Fogel](/images/default-source/website-images-/alex-fogel.jpg?sfvrsn=7932d696_0)
![George Balanchine George Balanchine](/images/default-source/website-images-/george-balanchine.jpg?sfvrsn=b22135b9_0)
![Adam-Lampel-Square Adam-Lampel-Square](/images/default-source/website-images-/adam-lampel-square.jpg?sfvrsn=9ae8a7f0_0)
![jeff croiter jeff croiter](/images/default-source/case-study/jeff-croiter-2021-sq.jpg?sfvrsn=e64c914d_0)
![Jules fisher peggy eisenhauer Jules fisher peggy eisenhauer](/images/default-source/website-images-/jules-fisher-peggy-eisenhauer.jpg?sfvrsn=4d3786af_0)
![Dawn-Chiang-Square Dawn-Chiang-Square](/images/default-source/website-images-/dawn-chiang-square.jpg?sfvrsn=9d711a19_0)
Dawn Chiang
February 2011 Interview with one of the most talented Lighting Designers and Theatre Consultants.
Read Interview![Ivan-van-Perre-Jnr-Square Ivan-van-Perre-Jnr-Square](/images/default-source/website-images-/ivan-van-perre-jnr-square.jpg?sfvrsn=409fd03f_0)
Ivan van Perre Jr
December 2010 Interview with this Broadway Stagehand turned Inventor.
Read Interview![Ken Posner Ken Posner](/images/default-source/website-images-/ken-posner.jpg?sfvrsn=88cf67a7_0)
![Adam-Klein-Square Adam-Klein-Square](/images/default-source/website-images-/adam-klein-square.jpg?sfvrsn=7b1d8ff8_0)
![Paul-McLeish-Square Paul-McLeish-Square](/images/default-source/website-images-/paul-mcleish-square.jpg?sfvrsn=dbbdbfeb_0)
![Eric Schultz Eric Schultz](/images/default-source/website-images-/eric-schultz.jpg?sfvrsn=86a47a6a_0)
![Roger-Desmond-Square Roger-Desmond-Square](/images/default-source/website-images-/roger-desmond-square.jpg?sfvrsn=e61e2f77_0)
![Greg-Husinko-Square Greg-Husinko-Square](/images/default-source/website-images-/greg-husinko-square.jpg?sfvrsn=685ddada_0)
Greg Husinko
October 2007 Interview on being Production Electrician at LeReve, Las Vegas.
Read Interview![Fred Foster ETC Fred Foster ETC](/images/default-source/website-images-/fred-foster-etc.jpg?sfvrsn=58063385_0)
Fred Foster
September 2001 Interview by Gary Fails, on the late Fred Foster's role as the CEO of ETC.
Read InterviewAll City Theatrical Interviews
Title | Size | |
2021-04 City Theatrical Designer Interview with Lighting Designer Allen Lee Hughes | 728 KB | Download2021-04 City Theatrical Designer Interview with Lighting Designer Allen Lee Hughes |
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2021-02 City Theatrical Designer Q and A: Ken Billington on Waitress The Musical Japan Tour | 1077 KB | Download2021-02 City Theatrical Designer Q and A: Ken Billington on Waitress The Musical Japan Tour |
2021-01 City Theatrical Interview with London-based Lighting Designer Peter Small | 796 KB | Download2021-01 City Theatrical Interview with London-based Lighting Designer Peter Small |
2020-12 City Theatrical Designer Q and A: Mitchell Fenton, Associate Lighting Designer for Pippin Australia | 2049 KB | Download2020-12 City Theatrical Designer Q and A: Mitchell Fenton, Associate Lighting Designer for Pippin Australia |
2020-11 City Theatrical Designer Q and A: Ben Stanton, Lighting Designer for A Christmas Carol Live | 426 KB | Download2020-11 City Theatrical Designer Q and A: Ben Stanton, Lighting Designer for A Christmas Carol Live |
2020-10 City Theatrical Conversation with Matt Gordon and Mick Smith of Eastern Lighting Design | 1399 KB | Download2020-10 City Theatrical Conversation with Matt Gordon and Mick Smith of Eastern Lighting Design |
2020-09 City Theatrical Reopening Story: SLEEPLESS London, a Q&A with Lighting Designer Ken Billington | 1335 KB | Download2020-09 City Theatrical Reopening Story: SLEEPLESS London, a Q&A with Lighting Designer Ken Billington |
2020-09 City Theatrical Interview with Lighting Designer Michelle Poley, Founder of LightCue | 1391 KB | Download2020-09 City Theatrical Interview with Lighting Designer Michelle Poley, Founder of LightCue |
2020-08 City Theatrical Interview with Godspell Lighting Designer Matthew E. Adelson | 1203 KB | Download2020-08 City Theatrical Interview with Godspell Lighting Designer Matthew E. Adelson |
2020-06 City Theatrical Conversation with Tony Award Winning Designers Bradley King and Beowulf Boritt, on Flying Over Sunset | 1414 KB | Download2020-06 City Theatrical Conversation with Tony Award Winning Designers Bradley King and Beowulf Boritt, on Flying Over Sunset |
2020-05 City Theatrical Interview with Lighting Designer Isabella Byrd | 1208 KB | Download2020-05 City Theatrical Interview with Lighting Designer Isabella Byrd |
2020-04 City Theatrical Interview with Jane Cox | 902 KB | Download2020-04 City Theatrical Interview with Jane Cox |
2020-03 Retirement Interview with City Theatrical's Andrew Nikel | 1539 KB | Download2020-03 Retirement Interview with City Theatrical's Andrew Nikel |
2020-01 City Theatrical Interview with Lighting Designer Japhy Weideman | 779 KB | Download2020-01 City Theatrical Interview with Lighting Designer Japhy Weideman |
2019-12 City Theatrical Interview with ABTT Technician of the Year 2019 Martin Chisnall | 580 KB | Download2019-12 City Theatrical Interview with ABTT Technician of the Year 2019 Martin Chisnall |
2019-10 City Theatrical Designer Interview with London-based Lighting Designer Tim Deiling | 838 KB | Download2019-10 City Theatrical Designer Interview with London-based Lighting Designer Tim Deiling |
2019-09 City Theatrical Interview with Jay Woods - Consultant, Lighting Designer, and Planner | 1547 KB | Download2019-09 City Theatrical Interview with Jay Woods - Consultant, Lighting Designer, and Planner |
2019-08 City Theatrical Interview with UK-based Lighting Designer and Programmer Andrew Voller | 1287 KB | Download2019-08 City Theatrical Interview with UK-based Lighting Designer and Programmer Andrew Voller |
2019-08 City Theatrical Interview with Andrew Voller on Moving Light Assistant software | 278 KB | Download2019-08 City Theatrical Interview with Andrew Voller on Moving Light Assistant software |
2019-06 City Theatrical Interview with June Abernathy, Front Light Supervisor and Author of The Spotlight Operator's Handbook | 819 KB | Download2019-06 City Theatrical Interview with June Abernathy, Front Light Supervisor and Author of The Spotlight Operator's Handbook |
Quick links to interview pages: