~ about ~

From an early age I was struck by the allure and spectacle of live performance. I grew up in the theatre, taking part in school and church productions. To me, nothing was more exhilarating than a live play or concert. I can clearly recall going to my first live concert, The Beach Boys. Hearing the rhythm of song and seeing lights enhancing the mood of the music against the backdrop of the band, I began connecting the dots between the performers out front and the other world behind the curtains. The aesthetics of all the parts and pieces working together with the presentation blanketed by scenery, lights and atmosphere made a lasting impression. I knew what I wanted to do for a living – explore the art of production design.
I started lighting “professionally”, as many do, working with club bands where payment might have been a small amount of cash or beer. Academically, I graduated with a degree in theatre from Boise State University in Idaho, taking part in a related internship and independent studies as part of my curriculum. I also gained hands-on training as a student stagehand and designer working with professional productions at the arena and performing arts center on campus. Through this experience I was able to work and learn from notable production designers, some of whom are close personal friends today. Out of college I began touring the world with bands such as Van Halen, The Who, Prince and BB King, again working with many well-respected industry designers as I continued to hone my own design skills.
To date, I have had a 40+ year career designing for dance, theatre, concert, corporate theatre, broadcast/film, architainment and a myriad of other special projects. To me, each design is a work of art; the sets are my canvas, lighting is my palette of paints, and intensity, shadow, and color are the brush strokes.
I strive to create and hope to offer a fresh look to any project, while adding unique accents from the “tools” and “techniques” I’ve collected over the span of my career. I endeavor to bring new life and vision to each production with enthusiasm, from pre-planning through finished product. I love what I do for a living and find it personally rewarding. I consider myself privileged to call this business my profession as well as my passion.
I am equally blessed to have been married for 30+ years to my beautiful wife. We have 4 amazing children. I enjoy spending time with my family, fishing, target shooting  and noodling on my guitars.
~ GS