City Theatrical Exclusive Interviews


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.

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QolorTopix podcast interview with Jay Woods

QolorTOPIX Podcast Episode 4 featuring Scenic Electrics Engineer Jay Woods is available now.

Listen now



2024 Interviews:




Cheyenne Mendoza Backstage square lr
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 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
Robert Scarborough CSC

January 2024 Designer Interview with Robert Scarborough CSC, Director of Photography, based in Toronto, Canada.

Interview page


2023 Interviews:




Gary Fails, President of City Theatrical
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

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

June 2023 Designer Interview with five-time Emmy Award winning lighting designer, who lit Bob Fosse's Dancin' Broadway.

Interview page
Steve Ramsey
Steven Ramsey

March 2023 Chief Lighting Technician Interview with NYC-based Steven Ramsey on his career in film lighting.

Interview page


2022 Interviews:




Jennifer Schriever, Lighting Designer
Jennifer Schriever

August 2022 Designer Interview on recent Tony Award nomination for A Strange Loop.

Interview page
marcus doshi lighting designer
Marcus Doshi

January 2022 Designer Interview with Marcus Doshi on projects and his new book release.

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2021 Interviews:




kevin barry
Kevin Barry

December 2021 Q&A on RadioScan at Company Broadway.

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Mitchell fenton
Mitchell Fenton

November 2021 Q&A with this Australian-born designer.

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jeff croiter
Jeff Croiter

October 2021 Q&A on Freestyle Love Supreme.

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Yuki Nakase Link
Yuki Nakase Link

July 2021 Interview on Seven Deadly Sins in NYC.

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mike baldassari
Mike Baldassari

June 2021 Interview on After Midnight at the Signature Theatre.

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Jack Weir
Jack Weir

June 2021 Interview on Death Drop London.

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Tim Deiling
Tim Deiling

May 2021 Interview on SiX re-opening on the West End.

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Allen Lee Hughes
Allen Lee Hughes

April 2021 Interview with this legendary lighting designer.

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Ken Billington at Waitress Japan Tour from New York
Ken Billington

March 2021 Interview on Waitress The Musical Japan Tour.

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Peter Small
Peter Small

January 2021 Interview with this London-based designer.

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2020 Interviews:




mitchell-fenton
Mitchell Fenton

December 2020 Interview on Pippin Australia.

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Ben Stanton
Ben Stanton

November 2020 Interview on A Christmas Carol Live.

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Matt Gordon and Mick Smith
Matt Gordon / Mick Smith

October 2020 Interview with Eastern Lighting Design.

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Ken Billington
Ken Billington

September 2020 on reopening SLEEPLESS London.

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Michelle Poley
Michelle Poley

September 2020 Interview on LightCue and work at CBS.

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Matthew Adelson square
Matthew E. Adelson

August 2020 Interview on Godspell in the Berkshires.

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Bradley King Beowulf Boritt-Square
Bradley King and Beowulf Boritt

June 2020 Interview on Flying Over Sunset on Broadway.

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isabella byrd square
Isabella Byrd

May 2020 Interview with this New York-based designer.

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jane-cox-photo-by-evan-alexander-square
Jane Cox

April 2020 Interview with this New Jersey-based designer.

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Andrew Nikel at PLASA 2008 square
Andrew Nikel

April 2020 Retirement Interview with City Theatrical USA Sales Team Member.

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japhy weideman headshot
Japhy Weideman

January 2020 Interview with this New York-based designer.

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2019 Interviews:




Martin Chisnall - square
Martin Chisnall

December 2019 Interview with ABTT Technician of the Year 2019.

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Tim-Deiling-square
Tim Deiling

October 2019 Interview with this London-based designer.

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Jay Woods Square
Jay Woods

September 2019 Interview with this New York-based designer.

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Andrew Voller square
Andrew Voller

August 2019 Interview with this UK-based designer and creator of Moving Light Assistant software.

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June Abernathy - square
June Abernathy

June 2019 Interview with this Author of The Spotlight Operator's Handbook.

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Al-crawford-portrait
Al Crawford

April 2019 Interview with this Founder and CEO of arc3design.

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Quinn-McDonald-and-Jack-OConnor
Quinn McDonald and Jack O'Connor

February 2019 Interview with Next Generation designers

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2018 Interviews:




Tyler-Micoleau-and-Scott-Pask-Square
Tyler Micoleau and Scott Pask

November 2018 Conversation on LED Tape with designers of The Band's Visit on Broadway.

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Tom Lenz square
Tom Lenz

May 2018 Interview with this New York-based Production Designer.

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Phil Widmer square
Phil Widmer

April 2018 Interview with this LD for LIVE and Eyewitness News on CBS.

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JR Sample
JR Sample

January 2018 Interview with this Touring Professional.

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2017 and Earlier Interviews:




Andrew Voller square
Andrew Voller

September 2016 Interview on developing Moving Light Assistant software.

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Jake-DeGroot-Square
Jake DeGroot

September 2016 Interview with this New York-based designer.

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Alex Passmore
Alex Passmore

September 2016 Interview on the Ed Sheeran Tour.

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Erin-Giblin-Tillikum-Crossing
Erin Giblin

February 2015 Interview on lighting the Tillikum Crossing.

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Chris Kurtz interview curious dog
Chris Kurtz

December 2014 Interview on the Curious Incident of the Dog at Nighttime.

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Pip Biancamano
Pip Biancamano

September 2014 Interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

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Jamie Burnett Terra Tractus
Jamie Burnett

July 2014 Interview on lighting the Terra Tractus.

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Soren-Dalgaard-Square
Soren Dalgaard

March 2014 Interview with Denmark-based lighting technician.

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Alex Fogel
Alex Fogel

December 2013 Interview with this Broadway Moving Light Programmer.

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George Balanchine
George Balanchine

July 2013 Interview on In the Wings.

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Adam-Lampel-Square
Adam Lampel

April 2013 Interview on Aquafog at Phantom of the Opera.

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jeff croiter
Jeff Croiter

June 2012 Interview with this New York-based Lighting Designer.

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Jules fisher peggy eisenhauer
Peggy Eisenhauer

November 2011 Interview with this Tony and Drama Desk Award Winner.

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Dawn-Chiang-Square
Dawn Chiang

February 2011 Interview with one of the most talented Lighting Designers and Theatre Consultants.

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Ivan-van-Perre-Jnr-Square
Ivan van Perre Jr

December 2010 Interview with this Broadway Stagehand turned Inventor.

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Ken Posner
Ken Posner

October 2010 Interview on the life of this talented Lighting Designer.

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Adam-Klein-Square
Adam Klein

March 2010 Interview on being an American living and working in London.

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Paul-McLeish-Square
Paul McLeish

November 2009 Interview on working at the National Theatre, London.

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Eric Schultz
Eric Schultz

October 2009 Interview on being a House Electrician in New York City.

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Roger-Desmond-Square
Roger Desmond

June 2009 Interview on being on tour with a Broadway show.

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Greg-Husinko-Square
Greg Husinko

October 2007 Interview on being Production Electrician at LeReve, Las Vegas.

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Fred Foster ETC
Fred Foster

September 2001 Interview by Gary Fails, on the late Fred Foster's role as the CEO of ETC.

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All City Theatrical Interviews

Title Size
2019-04 City Theatrical Interview with Lighting Designer Al Crawford, Founder/CEO of arc3design 634 KB Download2019-04 City Theatrical Interview with Lighting Designer Al Crawford, Founder/CEO of arc3design
2019-02 City Theatrical Interview with Next Generation Lighting Designers Quinn McDonald and Jack O'Connor 1375 KB Download2019-02 City Theatrical Interview with Next Generation Lighting Designers Quinn McDonald and Jack O'Connor
2018-11 City Theatrical Conversation on LED Tape with the Tony Award Winning Designers Behind The Band's Visit on Broadway 1635 KB Download2018-11 City Theatrical Conversation on LED Tape with the Tony Award Winning Designers Behind The Band's Visit on Broadway
2018-05 City Theatrical Interview with Scenic Designer Tom Lenz 1360 KB Download2018-05 City Theatrical Interview with Scenic Designer Tom Lenz
2018-04 City Theatrical Interview with Phil Widmer from LIVE and Eyewitness News on CBS 465 KB Download2018-04 City Theatrical Interview with Phil Widmer from LIVE and Eyewitness News on CBS
2018-01 City Theatrical Interview with JR Sample, Touring Professional 549 KB Download2018-01 City Theatrical Interview with JR Sample, Touring Professional
2016-09 City Theatrical Interview with Jake Degroot 6324 KB Download2016-09 City Theatrical Interview with Jake Degroot
2016-09 City Theatrical Interview with Alex Passmore on Ed Sheeran Tour 1723 KB Download2016-09 City Theatrical Interview with Alex Passmore on Ed Sheeran Tour
2015-02 City Theatrical Interview with Erin Giblin on the Tillikum Crossing 2987 KB Download2015-02 City Theatrical Interview with Erin Giblin on the Tillikum Crossing
2014-12 City Theatrical Interview With Chris Kurtz on Curious Incident Of the Dog at Nighttime 13754 KB Download2014-12 City Theatrical Interview With Chris Kurtz on Curious Incident Of the Dog at Nighttime
2014-09 City Theatrical Interview With Pip Biancamano 1376 KB Download2014-09 City Theatrical Interview With Pip Biancamano
2014-07 City Theatrical Interview with Jamie Burnett About Terra Tractus 17968 KB Download2014-07 City Theatrical Interview with Jamie Burnett About Terra Tractus
2014-03 City Theatrical Interview with Soren Dalgaard, Light Technician 996 KB Download2014-03 City Theatrical Interview with Soren Dalgaard, Light Technician
2013-12 City Theatrical Interview with Alex Fogel, Broadway Moving Light Programmer 1038 KB Download2013-12 City Theatrical Interview with Alex Fogel, Broadway Moving Light Programmer
2013-07 City Theatrical Interview with George Balanchine 457 KB Download2013-07 City Theatrical Interview with George Balanchine
2013-04 City Theatrical Interview with Adam Lampel on Aquafog at Phantom of the Opera 1249 KB Download2013-04 City Theatrical Interview with Adam Lampel on Aquafog at Phantom of the Opera
2012-06 City Theatrical Interview with Jeff Croiter 1153 KB Download2012-06 City Theatrical Interview with Jeff Croiter
2011-11 City Theatrical Interview with Peggy Eisenhauer 569 KB Download2011-11 City Theatrical Interview with Peggy Eisenhauer
2011-02 City Theatrical Interview with Dawn Chiang 694 KB Download2011-02 City Theatrical Interview with Dawn Chiang
2010-12 City Theatrical Interview with Ivan van Perre Jr, Stagehand-Inventor 1338 KB Download2010-12 City Theatrical Interview with Ivan van Perre Jr, Stagehand-Inventor