Steve Woods is chair of the MFA Entertainment Design Program at Meadows School of the Arts/SMU in Dallas, Texas. As a lighting designer he has worked around the world lighting dance for Jose Limon, John Cranko, Alwin Nikolois, Donald McKayle among others. His work includes the Kennedy Center, Theatre for a New Audience, the joyce and the Guggenheiim. He is one of the original Lumen Brothers – with David Jacques and Stan Kaye – producers of Light Talk – inspired by Car Talk – a weekly podcast now in its eighth year. As a frequent co-host, I can attest to Woods' sense of humor and clever scriptwriting abilities.
The podcast at LDI is open free to all LDI attendees.
Register for the show at www.ldishow.com and use the promo code LIGHTTALK for a free Expo Hall Pass.
Live Design: Can you describe yourself in less than 50 words?
Steve Woods: Lighting designer. Educator. Podcaster. I am that guy loves a light bulb. I am comfortable with a VarI-Lite or a trunk load of garage lights from Home Depot. Having designed more than 50 new works in a basement to a regional house to Off Broadway, it is always about the challenge. And being smarter than the light.
LD: Please give a brief overview of your training/education/career path.
SW: I became interested in design while in college, as my school was on the quarter rather than the semester system, I’d typically work in the profession six months each year and attended school the other six. It was an opportunity to put into practice what I was learning.
LD: Please describe your most recent project.
SW: Recent work includes Sam Shepard's play Action, prepping a work by playwright Gracie Gardner, Saturn Return, and in conversation to design a remount of David Bowie's Lazarus (Black Star).
LD: What are you teaching at LDI and who is your target audience?
SW: I will be one of the hosts of the annual Light Talk: Live At LDI podcast. I am teaching the art of networking, making new friends, and how to fun talking about lighting.
LD: What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date?
SW: Staying current with technology is always top of the list.
LD: What is your advice for people just getting into the industry?
SW: Be honest, be kind, watch and listen. And learning that every seat in the house deserves the best show possible, even that extreme sightline seat.