What a wonderful honor to have a gobo in the Rosco catalogue that I designed! I’m excited to see how designers use this in their work. DREAM COME TRUE, thanks Rosco!
Click on the link below to read about the making of this gobo!
Al Crawford wins inaugural Knight of Illumination USA Award! /
It was an incredible honor to win the inaugural Knight of Illumination USA Award. This award represents more than two decades of work lighting dance professionally. Dance will always be my first love and it inspires and informs me constantly in my other work. It was also humbling for it to be sponsored by ETC and to be presented onstage to me by the late Fred Foster, whom I considered to be one of the greatest influences on our industry. I’m so glad I got to have dinner with Fred that evening. This sword will always remind me of him.
Alvin Ailey Tours with ETC /
Check out one of Al's first features in Lighting and Sound America! This piece from 2002 offers a glimpse into the world of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's touring staff and rig.
Al Crawford Lights Dreaming Of Lions At BAM /
This feature in Live Design showcases Malpaso Dance Company from Havana, Cuba, performed Dreaming Of Lions at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Harvey Theatre, March 1-5, 2017, with lighting by Al Crawford.
Portrait in Black and White: Al Crawford Lights Awakening /
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In this article, Lighting and Sound America details Al's design for Awakening for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He discusses the music's impact on the design of the piece and the process behind designing the LED wall.
Finding a Different Kind of Life in the Lights /
“While what Crawford did may seem logical... what he did was exceptional, especially for someone who was just 15 at the time.”
This feature examines Al the high school student! Having spent his formative years at Interlochen Center for the Arts, his Alma Mater recently featured him in this piece that details his journey through their program. From actor/dancer/performer to lighting designer, click below to read about Al the teenager.
This School This City: Al Crawford /
Al discusses his time at UNCSA, the faculty members and classes that influenced him most, and the major influence that UNCSA had on his career.
NJPAC Gala - Vari*Lite VL4000 Spot /
Light and Sound America celebrates Arc3's use of the Vari*Lite VL4K at NJPAC's 2014 Gala, Nothin' Like A Dame. Click below to read about why this fixture did everything we needed and more!
in 1: The Podcast #23 Al Crawford /
Check out Al's interview with Cory Pattak for the phenomenal in 1: the podcast
In One features theatrical designers from many fields, from lighting to scenery to costume design, and more! Emulating the casual conversations shared by designers throughout their process, Pattack offers an opportunity for listeners all over the world to learn about the "magic makers" that bring so many worlds to life.
In this episode Al shares all; from what its like being on tour to with Ailey, to the ins and outs of designing for the White House State Dinners during Obama's presidency and so much more!
Lighting Design Alumnus Al Crawford Joins UNCSA Board of Trustees /
“Al Crawford brings to the board of trustees not only his own experiences as a UNCSA alumnus, but the perspective of an artistic innovator, a successful entrepreneur, a respected mentor and teacher, and a collaborative leader who can work across disciplines, genres, and geographies.”
Read about Al's recent appointment to the the board of Trustees at his Alma Mater, University of North Carolina School of the Arts
ETC Revelations from the Road: Touring with Alvin Ailey /
The final piece in this four part series published on ETC's blog focuses on Al's journey with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. From maintaining his relationship to finding the delicate balance in keeping Revelations true to Nicholas Cernovich's design (even after seeing the piece more than 7000 times), this interview covers it all.
Lighting Dance Africa at BAM /
Live Design chats with Al about the lighting design for DanceAfrica festival at The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and his history with the festival.
ETC Masters of Live Design: Al Crawford /
Al teams up with ETC for an episode of Masters of Live Design
In this webcast he discusses his history with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, how the design can inform the storytelling in dances, the lighting fixtures he prefers and why he prefers them to name a few
Register with Live Design to enjoy this Webcast
ETC Master Class "The Art of Light: Breaking the Barriers of Lighting Design" /
This special session, presented by Al Crawford, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Arc3design, will provide a discussion of the art of lighting design as it is relates to hybrid design for not only, theater, dance and broadcast but a broader mindset and process for non-traditional performances, unique venues, visual art, and mixed media projects, cross genre installations.
Casting Light: The Entertainment Lighting Podcast /
Al Crawford: Designer, Business owner, Educator, Empire Builder
Check out this episode of Casting Light featuring our very own Al Crawford!
Hosts Jason Marin and Theresa Unfried discuss Arc3 and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater with Al. Tune in for more about how Al chooses fixtures for a facade, his involvement with the Gilbert Hemsley Lighting Fellowship, and what excites him about lighting technology!
Exploring The Choreography Of Light The Purpose and Expression of Light /
Learn more about Al in this two part interview with Harman!
In Part 1, Exploring the Choreography of Light, he elaborates on his childhood in North Carolina and Michigan, the difference between his position as both Lighting Director and Lighting Designer at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and the evolution and maintenance of Ailey's plot through the two decades he's been with the company.
In Part 2, The Purpose and Expression of Light, Al discusses the relationship of light and dance, the spirit behind his work, and some of the driving forces behind his various projects.
The Feeling of Light /
In this spotlight interview with Chauvet, Al elaborates on "the emotional dimension of lighting as well as a host of other subjects from getting inspired at the start of projects to the art of collaborating with others."
Read on to learn about Al's background as a dancer, design tactics and what keeps him inspired!
Spotlight:On - Roya Abab, Senior Lighting Designer - Arc3design /
One of the reasons I wanted to begin a blog was to have the opportunity and format to talk about some of the people that I get to work with. So often, the associates, stagehands, technicians, shop account managers, vendors, etc rarely get recognized. My hope is that Spotlight:On will be a regular place to celebrate some of these uber talented folks in my life.
Roya Abab, born in Seattle WA, is the Senior Lighting Designer at Arc3design as well as the Associate Lighting Director at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She has worked with Arc3design for 6 years and Ailey for 4. She quickly has become a key player at both companies, bringing a sharp wit and extreme skill set to her projects.
Roya did her lighting design training at the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts under Norman Coates.
Roya is absolutely the person you want at your side as your partner. She has a keen eye for design that is rooted in a broad love and knowledge of visual art. Her passion for food, culture, her Persian heritage and art makes her a perfect design teammate. She has become a driving creative force in the growth of Arc3design.
In four years, Roya has toured with the Ailey company to Russia, Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Spain, and Israel, mounting the lighting for Ailey's first company in some of the top theaters in the world. At Ailey, she manages the vast Ailey repertory paperwork, supports the guest designers and produces the plots that light up this great organization.
At Arc3design, she has positioned herself to be the person that knows everything about my work. She is highly influential in design development and implementation of projects across all genres. She is truly respected by my clients and vendors alike. When I tell clients that Roya will be there, you can see them physically become at ease.
Roya continues to freelance in her 'oh so often' free time. She is an excellent programmer of ETC EOS and GrandMA consoles of projects on any scale.
Roya is one of the special ones I have no doubt we will be watching for years to come.
- Al