Sugar Hill: The Ellington / Strayhorn Nutcracker Ballet Picks Halcyon
Business
Share:
Sugar Hill is an electric reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s classic Nutcracker, composed by jazz icons Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in 1960 and seen for the first time as a fully realized ballet at the Chicago Auditorium in December of 2023. To bring the piece to life, Lighting Designer Christopher Annas-Lee deployed 48 High End Systems Halcyon Titanium High Fidelity fixtures.
Annas-Lee explained his design was inspired by “a towering sense of whimsy.” He said, “It is a wild, fun show, full of spectacle. But it is also an essential representation of Black culture and identity, of empowerment and acceptance. I take very seriously the job of making a diverse cast look stunning and of supporting them as they tell a story everyone really needs to hear.”
About the historic venue where the piece premiered, he described the Chicago Auditorium as “the largest interior space, outside of armories, I have ever worked in, or even stood in. Towering over a steep audience rake and three balconies, the gilded arches adorned with rows of incandescent lamps make the 60’ stage look miniscule. To walk in there makes you feel inconsequential, which was I imagine the goal of the architect. The only way to do intimacy in a space that grand is with scale contrast. Fill this massive volume above the house with razzle-dazzle photonic architecture, so that you can then pull it back to emphasize the humans onstage.” In terms of gear, Christopher says, “we only used what we brought, no time for any house fixtures. This production came together very quickly; we had four hours to focus and dry tech (and Sound Designer Josh Reid was a real gentleman about sharing that time with us), followed by 14 hours with cast onstage. To get ready as quickly as possible, I asked our Associate Zachary Heffner to speed-focus the bare minimum of Lustrs while my programmer Brad Gray got the movers ship shape, and I touched up a cue sheet I had written on the flight. Then we were off to the races!”
In addition to 48 Halcyon Titanium High-Fidelity fixtures, Annas-Lee employed eight Esprites, 15 Tetra 4s, “a mess o’ Lustrs, and apparently all the available CF72s on the east coast.” The Esprites were placed on either side of the band trusses for big diagonal back washes, while the precision work was left to the Halcyons. He continued: “The Halcyon fixtures were mostly in a grid overstage, with three rows of nine plus six above the band. There was also one per dance boom, acting as a shin. This was the first time I’d done that for a full system of side light, and I don’t know how I could go back. My associate and I take bets at the beginning of a process on which fixtures will get us out of trouble the most, and it for sure turned out to be the DL/R floor Halcyons, right on either side of the foots; they proved invaluable for filling in faces while pulling dancers out from the background.”
When asked why he selected Halcyon Titanium, Annas-Lee exclaimed, “We had so many places to get to, we needed the flexibility!” Act One of Sugar Hill moves from a staid ballroom with soft candelabra washes to bustling Harlem streets, defined by boxes slicing in and out around the dancers, to an underground Jazz club (what Annas-Lee describes as ‘wild tight sexy beams’) to a pas de deux through streetlamps in the moonlight (“those tight beams … tamed by self-respect!”).
“With the Titaniums, we could do it all. A 6° to 60° zoom is just ridiculous; so fun to play with. And three levels of frost helped make that transition seamless.” He went on: “Act Two brings the full-on magic, and what better way to show that, and keep a constant barrage of new performers feeling fresh, than with big color gestures. This is why I wanted to hold the cyc back until Uncle Dross transports us, and with that swirling chaos lift up the FS Black and plunge the audience into a psychedelic cyclorama. A dramatic psychlorama… a psychloramadrama…”
Dross’ glistening white suit, courtesy of designer David Kaley, stood out nicely from that blast of rainbow. Then Annas-Lee followed David’s lead into a hue family per solo, based on popping the costumes and supporting each performer’s skin tone. Magenta for Sugar Rum Cherry, Green and Cyan for the Floreadores, and a “Simone Leigh-inspired stately gold” for Mother Sugar.
The LD said that for Act Two, “Again, the Halcyon and Lustr fixtures were key: there is no manufacturer I trust more with color than ETC. The deep red in Lustr 3s makes darker skin tones look electric onstage, and the CMY Titanium fixtures were consistently able to keep a good spectrum inside more saturate hues. You can’t hide that sort of thing when mixing deep blues with CTB or CTO … that deep-shadowed pale rose we all love will only come out of high CRI fixtures and dang, ETC never disappoints.”
About the rental shop, Annas-Lee said “Sugar Hill was my first experience with Main Light, and I was very impressed. The shop is organized, the inventory is plentiful and new, and the service is great. It’s my sincere hope that Main Light keeps to this high standard as they continue to get the customers they clearly deserve.”
In closing, Annas-Lee noted that Zachary Heffner, Joel Balthuis, Brad Gray, and the whole electrics team were essential to the success of the tight process. “It’s hard to overstate how important it is to be surrounded by people you trust, especially on a show this big going up this fast. Thanks to them, and to the designers, our director Josh Bergasse, and to the indomitable cast. This one was a blast!”
Article originally found on www.ETCconnect.com
Similar Articles
November 21st 2024
Business
Frank Campagnola Joins Main Light Tri-State as Inside Rentals and Sales Associate
Main Light is excited to welcome Frank Campagnola as an Inside Rentals and Sales Associate at the Main Light Tri-State location in Teterboro, New Jersey.
November 12th 2024
Business
Main Light Announces Tina Rath as National Sales Executive and Jeremiah Allen to Sales Operations
Main Light is excited to announce the appointment of Tina Rath as National Sales Executive with a home base in the Las Vegas office.
October 10th 2024
Business
NJ Devil Takes Over Main Light Tri-State: A Fun Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Operations
NJ Devil recently paid a lively visit to Main Light Tri-State in Teterboro, NJ, bringing his signature energy to the shop.
October 1st 2024
Rentals
Main Light Expands Inventory of Ayrton Diablo S and Rivale Fixtures
Main Light has significantly boosted its rental inventory of Ayrton Diablo S and Ayrton Rivale fixtures, further enhancing the availability of these popular lighting solutions a...
September 20th 2024
Business
Main Light Supports Chapel Street Players with High-Quality Lighting Package
Main Light had the opportunity to support the local arts by delivering a lighting package to the Chapel Street Players in Newark, DE.
September 20th 2024
Business
Main Light Supports LDG with Lighting Rental Package for 2024 Presidential Debate
Main Light proudly provided the lighting rental package for The Lighting Design Group (LDG), who handled all lighting design for the 2024 Presidential Debate aired on ABC.
September 11th 2024
Rentals
New ETC Sensor3 Dimmer Racks and Additional Halcyon Titanium Fixtures Join Main Light Tri-State
Main Light Tri-State is expanding its rental inventory with new ETC Sensor3 24 Way Dimmer Racks and additional Halcyon Titanium fixtures, available now from both their Teterboro...
August 21st 2024
Business
Main Light Hosts ADJ Lighting's 'Step Into The Light' Tour in Nashville
On August 20th, Main Light South's Nashville location became the latest stop on ADJ Lighting's highly anticipated 'Step Into The Light' tour.
July 16th 2024
Rentals
Main Light adds LumenRadio Transceivers to Rental Inventory
Main Light is further expanding its rental inventory of transceivers with the LumenRadio Stardust, Aurora, and Moonlight CRMX.
July 10th 2024
Rentals
Main Light South Expands Tyler GT Truss Inventory
Main Light South is proudly expanding its rental offerings with the addition of 60 sticks of 8ft Tyler Truss Systems LLC GT Truss, enhancing our already robust truss inventory.
June 24th 2024
Rentals
Main Light Welcomes Additional MDG ATMe Output Hazers to Rental Inventory
Main Light is pleased to welcome additional MDG ATMe Output Hazers to its rental inventory.
June 18th 2024
Rentals
Main Light Expands ROBE MegaPointe Rental Inventory
Main Light has once again expanded its inventory of ROBE MegaPointes.
May 20th 2024
Rentals
Main Light Introduces the Robe iFORTE® LTX FS FollowSpot to Its Rental Fleet
Main Light is proudly expanding its rental offerings with the addition of the Robe iFORTE® LTX FS FollowSpot.
May 17th 2024
Business
Christopher Johnson Joins Main Light as National Business Development Representative
Main Light is thrilled to welcome Christopher Johnson as the new National Business Development Representative.
May 17th 2024
Business
Main Light Welcomes Christopher Jones as SE Rental Executive
Main Light is thrilled to announce the hiring of Christopher Jones, who has joined the team as a Senior Rental Executive, based out of Main Light South in Nashville, TN.
April 2nd 2024
Rentals
Main Light Adds Martin MAC One to Rental Inventory
Main Light, a leader in providing stage lighting rentals, is thrilled to announce the addition of the Martin MAC One, a compact and versatile moving light, to their extensive in...
March 27th 2024
Rentals
Main Light Welcomes Ayrton Rivale IP65 Rated Profile Fixture to Its Rental Fleet
Main Light is proud to announce the latest addition to its stage lighting rental inventory - the Ayrton Rivale IP65 Rated Profile Fixture.
March 27th 2024
Rentals
Main Light Adds New Astera LED Fixtures to Rental Inventory
Main Light is thrilled to announce the addition of new Astera fixtures to its comprehensive rental inventory.
March 7th 2024
Business
Sugar Hill: The Ellington / Strayhorn Nutcracker Ballet Picks Halcyon
Sugar Hill is an electric reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s classic Nutcracker, composed by jazz icons Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in 1960 and seen for the first time as a ful...
February 28th 2024
Business
Randy Mullican to Depart Main Light for New Role at TMB After 27 Years of Distinguished Service
Main Light, a premier dry hire rental provider in the professional lighting industry, today announced the departure of Randy Mullican, who has significantly contributed to the c...
January 29th 2024
Demo Videos
Product Demo: Ayrton Perseo Profile IP65
Demo of the Ayrton Perseo Profile-S; a versatile, compact multi-function luminaire designed for intensive outdoor use.
January 15th 2024
Rentals
Main Light Expands Rental Inventory with Swisson Opto Splitters
Main Light, a dry hire rental provider, has announced the addition of the Swisson XSR series DMX and RDM Opto Splitters to their comprehensive rental fleet.
December 12th 2023
Rentals
Ayrton Zonda 9 FX Fixtures Enhance High Energy Home Games For the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins fans are enjoying an even more dynamic game experience this season with the installation of Ayrton Zonda 9 FX LED moving head washes beneath the new scoreboa...
December 11th 2023
Business
Main Light Sells LightScape® Product Line to LightScape, LLC.
Main Light has announced the sale of its innovative fiberoptic star drop curtain product line, LightScape®, to LightScape, LLC.
November 14th 2023
Business
Main Light Appoints Industry Veteran Brian Relph as Rental Account Manager to Strengthen Tri-State Operations
Main Light proudly announces the hiring of Brian Relph as Rental Account Manager for their Tri-State location in Teterboro, NJ.
October 23rd 2023
Business
Main Light and CCM: Illuminating the Path to Excellence in Lighting Design
Lighting can transform any art or performance, a truth well-understood by the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).
October 18th 2023
Demo Videos
Product Demo: Chauvet Maverick Storm1 Hybrid
Main Light's demo of the Chauvet Storm 1 Hybrid fixture.
October 12th 2023
Business
Main Light Tri-State: The Sole Lighting Provider Illuminating New Jersey Devils' Season
The New Jersey Devils' thrilling 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings in their season opener wasn't just a showcase of athletic prowess but also of lighting brilliance, courte...
October 2nd 2023
Business
Main Light Appoints Jerry Trotta as Operations Manager of Main Light Tri-State
Main Light Tri-State is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jerry Trotta as its Operations Manager.
October 2nd 2023
Business
Shining Light in Dark Times: TMB and Main Light Rally to Aid Zinteco Amidst Ukrainian Crisis
Amidst the unsettling events in Ukraine, TMB has recruited Main Light to take a proactive role in extending a helping hand to Zinteco, a cornerstone in Ukraine's entertainment l...
September 25th 2023
Rentals
Main Light Adds Maverick Storm 1 Hybrid to Its Rental Inventory: Chauvet’s Newest Hybrid Fixture
Main Light, a leader in premier lighting solutions, proudly unveils its newest addition to the rental inventory - the Maverick Storm 1 Hybrid.
August 28th 2023
Rentals
Main Light Adds ETC Halcyon Titanium to Rental Inventory
Main Light proudly announces the addition of the ETC Halcyon Titanium to its expansive rental inventory.
August 21st 2023
Rentals
Main Light Welcomes the ROBE Footsie 1 Tunable White to Its Rental Fleet
Main Light, a rental provider of professional event lighting solutions has introduced the ROBE Footsie 1 Tunable White to its rental inventory.
August 4th 2023
Business
Main Light Tri-State Hosts Open House for CHAUVET Professional’s Triple Header Summer Tour
On July 27th, from 2 pm to 7 pm, Main Light Tri-State in Teterboro, NJ opened its doors for an immersive hands-on experience.
June 28th 2023
Business
Executive Leadership Repositioning at Main Light, LLC and Cannon Nevada
Randy Mullican, a driving force behind Main Light's successes, will transition to Cannon Nevada as the new Chief Technology Officer.
June 12th 2023
Business
Main Light Partners with Elation Professional to provide Fuze Max Moving Series Moving Lights to Yale's Carlotta Festival
In partnership with dry-hire rental house Main Light, Elation Professional provided Fuze MAX series moving head luminaires to David Geffen School of Drama at Yale for use on the...
May 17th 2023
Rentals
Main Light Enhances Rental Inventory with Chroma Q Color Force II 72 Fixtures
Main Light, a rental provider of professional event lighting solutions, has added additional Chroma Q Color Force II 72™ fixtures to its inventory.
May 12th 2023
Rentals
Main Light Introduces the EOS Apex 10 Console at Tri-State Location
Main Light is thrilled to announce the addition of the industry-leading EOS Apex 10, ETC's gold-standard lighting control console, to its rental inventory, exclusively available...
May 11th 2023
Business
Main Light Provides USC School of Dramatic Arts with Cutting-Edge Elation Lights for Theatrical Design Program
Dry-hire rental house Main Light has partnered with the USC School of Dramatic Arts to supply Elation Professional Fuze MAX Spot™ LED moving head luminaires for use in the theat...
May 4th 2023
Demo Videos
Maverick Storm 2 Beamwash Demo
Introducing the Chauvet Maverick Storm 2 BeamWash, a tour-de-force in lighting technology, pushing the boundaries of innovation and design.
April 18th 2023
Demo Videos
MAC Aura XIP Demo Video
Today, we're excited to feature the Martin MAC Aura XIP.
April 12th 2023
Business
Main Light Tri-State Hosts Demo of the Halcyon Titanium and Lonestar by Electronic Theatre Controls
Main Light Tri-State recently hosted an open house event in collaboration with Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) showcasing the Halcyon Titanium and Lonestar lighting fixtures.
March 28th 2023
Demo Videos
ROBE MegaPointe Demo Video
In our ongoing effort to demonstrate the prowess of the cutting-edge fixtures available, we're thrilled to introduce the ROBE MegaPointe.
March 28th 2023
Rentals
Main Light Adds Chauvet Maverick Storm 2 BeamWash to Rental Inventory: A Go-To Outdoor Lighting Solution
Main Light is pleased to announce the addition of the Chauvet, Maverick Storm 2 BeamWash to its rental inventory, now available at all four Main Light locations.
February 20th 2023
Business
Main Light Opens New Location in Teterboro NJ
Main Light, LLC, a preeminent lighting rental partner, has expanded its support for its clients by opening a new facility in Teterboro, NJ, just outside New York City.
January 31st 2023
Rentals
Main Light Expands Inventory With ROBE IFORTE IP65 Rated Luminaires
Main Light, LLC, a preeminent lighting rental partner, has recently expanded its inventory with a significant amount of Robe lighting’s iForte™ luminaires.
December 5th 2022
Business
Denis O’Brien Joins Main Light West as Account Executive
Main Light’s business model as the leading industry source for dry hire equipment appeals to O’Brien, as he explains.
November 21st 2022
Rentals
Main Light Becomes One Of First In U.S. To Acquire Ayrton Zonda 9 FX Fixtures
Main Light increased its rental inventory of Ayrton lighting fixtures with the purchase of a large complement of versatile new Zonda 9 FX fixtures.
November 7th 2022
Rentals
Main Light Adds The S-Tribe Linear LED Luminaire From Portman Lights To Its Inventory
Main Light, LLC, a preeminent dry hire rental partner, has added the new S-Tribe™ linear scenic luminaire from Portman Lights to its inventory in all four Main Light locations a...
November 5th 2022
Rentals
Proteus Hybrid joins Proteus Maximus in Main Light Inventory
Industry-leading dry hire provider Main Light has added to their stock of IP65-rated lighting with purchase of the Proteus Hybrid™, Elation’s groundbreaking multi-functional arc...
October 24th 2022
Business
Main Light Appoints Silas Flores To Be Operations Manager For Main Light, East
Main Light, LLC has appointed Silas Flores as Operations Manager for Main Light, East in Wilmington, DE.
October 19th 2022
Educational
Technologies for Worship; Rental Lighting Roundtable
With Christmas just around the corner, and Easter really not that long after, plans for special productions and presentations are in full swing.
October 12th 2022
Rentals
Main Light, LLC's LightScape® Fiber Optic Drapery
LightScape® Fiber Optic Drapery, from Main Light, LLC, is an industry-leading star drop solution, filled with bright pinpoints of light that can emulate stars in the night sky.
September 28th 2022
Rentals
Main Light Expands Inventory with Addition of Robe TetraX Luminaires
Main Light, LLC, has recently added TetraX™ luminaires from Robe lighting s.
September 20th 2022
Business
Main Light Names Jim Gregory as National House of Worship Account Manager
Main Light, a preeminent dry hire firm, has promoted Jim Gregory to the position of National House of Worship Account Manager.
August 22nd 2022
Rentals
Main Light Increases Inventory with Addition of Martin MAC Aura PXL Wash Luminaires
Leading dry hire rental partner, Main Light, LLC, has continued to expand its rental inventory with the addition of Martin MAC Aura PXL wash luminaires.
August 11th 2022
Rentals
Main Light Adds Chauvet COLORado PXL Bar 16 IP Battens to its Inventory
Preeminent dry hire rental partner, Main Light, LLC, has recently added Chauvet Professional’s COLORado PXL Bar 16 luminaires to their extensive rental offerings.
August 4th 2022
Rentals
Main Light Adds More Elation Gear to Rental Inventory in Form of Fuze MAX Spot
One of the largest dry-hire rental houses in the United States, Main Light, has added Elation Professional’s new Fuze MAX Spot™ LED moving head to its growing inventory of high-...
June 22nd 2022
Rentals
Main Light Expands its Inventory with Ayrton’s Khamsin Profile Luminaires
Main Light, LLC, a preeminent dry hire rental partner, has recently added Ayrton’s Khamsin Profile luminaires to their extensive rental offerings.
June 20th 2022
Rentals
Main Light Adds to Investment in Elation Gear with Weatherproof DTW Blinders
Industry-leading dry hire provider Main Light has added Elation Professional’s DTW Blinder 350 IP™ to its rental inventory.
June 7th 2022
Rentals
Main Light, LLC Adds additional Hog 4 Consoles to Rental Inventory
Leading dry hire rental company Main Light, LLC recently took stock of new ETC Full Boar 4 consoles to add to their Hog 4 production rental inventory.
May 26th 2022
Demo Videos
ROBE LEDBeam 150 Demo Video
Main Light, your trusted partner in entertainment technology equipment rental since 1981, is excited to introduce the ROBE LEDBeam 150 to our extensive inventory of top-tier lig...
May 16th 2022
Rentals
Main Light Adds CHAUVET Color Strike M to rental inventory
Main Light, LLC, a preeminent dry hire rental partner, has recently added CHAUVET Professional’s Color STRIKE M LED strobe/wash luminaires to their offerings.
May 4th 2022
Demo Videos
Elation Proteus Hybrid Demo Video
Our latest spotlight shines on the PROTEUS HYBRID™, a design that combines versatility with unparalleled power in a 3-in-1 hybrid moving head luminaire.
April 12th 2022
Demo Videos
ETC Lonestar Demo Video
Main Light is pleased to present a comprehensive demonstration of the ETC Lonestar, a compact yet incredibly powerful LED framing fixture designed to meet the demands of small t...
April 5th 2022
Business
Main Light, South in Nashville Now Open
This week, Main Light, LLC, a preeminent dry hire rental partner, officially opened its new facility in Nashville, TN.
April 5th 2022
Business
A Conversation with Michael Cannon on the 1st Anniversary of Acquiring Main Light, LLC
I can tell you that Main Light will not be going into productions and we’re not going to be doing installations.
March 14th 2022
Business
Randy Mullican Named CEO of Main Light, LLC
Main Light, LLC, a preeminent dry hire rental partner, announces the appointment of Randy Mullican to Chief Executive Officer.
January 25th 2022
Rentals
Main Light, LLC Augments Rental Inventory with Lonestar
Leading dry hire rental company Main Light, LLC have received their first inventory of High End Systems Lonestar automated luminaires, earmarked for their Wilmington, Nashville,...
January 19th 2022
Business
Main Light, South to Open in Nashville this Spring
In early April 2022, Main Light, LLC, a preeminent dry hire rental partner, will be opening a new facility in Nashville, TN.
January 6th 2022
Rentals
Main Light Expands Inventory of GT Plus Products from Tyler Truss
All Main Light locations now have the standard 10’, 8’, and 5’ lengths in stock in addition to bases, corners, and necessary accessories.
December 18th 2021
Business
Patrick Bellino Joins Main Light East
Main Light, LLC has hired Patrick Bellino as an Inside Sales Representative.
