Nashville-based technical production specialist UpLight Technologies recently deployed the new Avolites D7 console to anchor the lighting design for the debut season of the Pro Cheer League. Produced by Varsity Spirit and broadcast nationally across the US via the ION Television network, the first season of this high-octane competition reached more than 5 million unique viewers.
The series’ production and lighting designer was David Surbrook, owner and creative director of UpLight Technologies. Joining him at the helm was lighting programmer and operator André Huff, who was thrilled to put the new console through its paces.
"David had already specified the D7-215 on the project when I was brought onboard," says André. "But I would have chosen it anyway!"
As the world’s first professional cheerleading platform for elite athletes aged 18 and older, the Pro Cheer League is a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled spectacle. Touring across five different cities and venues, the lighting design had to pull double duty: meeting slick, clean broadcast television requirements while retaining enough visual headroom to deliver the massive, high impact "WOW" moments that cheerleading demands.
"The goal with the lighting was to create plenty of big visual moments while ensuring the athletes remained the central focus," explains David.
To achieve this, the team utilized a robust rig of 164 fixtures — a dynamic mix of automated moving lights and LED sources — running across 32 universes on the D7. The set design seamlessly integrated lighting with extensive LED video walls. Fixtures framed the main screens, filled negative spaces along the back wall, and blended into the motion graphics to create a cohesive, deep visual environment for the cameras.
At the core of the rig were 32 x Robe BMFL Wash fixtures, providing flawless, high-quality illumination across the entire competition floor. This setup ensured optimal visibility for broadcast cameras while minimizing shadows during complex, high-level aerial stunts.
With an aggressive touring schedule that sometimes required loading into an arena, shooting a show, and loading out essentially within a single day, programming efficiency was paramount. Empowering designers and operators to maximize short setup windows has always been a cornerstone of the Avolites philosophy, and the D7 proved to be an invaluable asset.
"I absolutely love the speed at which you can work on an Avo," David enthuses. "The tactile layout and intuitive workflow are areas where Avo has always excelled, and I totally appreciate the approach to building effects using features like the Pixel Mapper and Key Frame Shapes."
While the two-hour show followed a structured broadcast script, the nature of live sports required plenty of room for spontaneous execution. Team color palettes and winning moments needed to be highlighted and echoed instantly during big plays and scoring moments.
"Being spontaneous and staying on your toes was essential for this hybrid style of show," notes André. "For programming and busking lighting on the fly, this was definitely an Avolites space!"
To ensure absolute network reliability for the live broadcast, a second D7-215 was deployed on-site as a full tracking backup, though the primary console performed flawlessly throughout the run.
For David, the D7-215 hits the sweet spot for modern touring productions, offering a premium control surface without the massive footprint.
"For me, it is the perfect combination of hardware and software. It has everything you need and nothing you don’t," says David. "It’s a highly efficient work tool – super compact and portable enough for one person to easily handle, yet it still delivers all the motorized faders and high-end screens you expect from a flagship console."
UpLight Technologies has been investing in Avolites since 2011, consistently adding nearly every model of the brand’s lineup to their inventory. The team acquired the D7-215 from Avolites North America as soon as it hit the market, and immediately put it into service. André has also trusted Avolites as his console of choice for the last 15 years.
With the massive success of Season 1, production plans are already expanding for Season 2, and the crew is considering the possible integration of the D7’s video control capabilities.
"Avolites spotted a real gap in the market when developing the D7 range," David concludes. "The product series has created a massive buzz in the industry. It’s exciting to see so many people turning their heads toward Avo again."
Currently, UpLight Technologies houses an expanding fleet of Avolites consoles in their inventory, supporting both their own premium design projects and nationwide rentals.
Tech shots by UpLight Technologies/show shots courtesy Pro Cheers League