Blog Example- Fourth of July= Light Magic

This summer I was fortunate enough to be picked to be the design fellow in the area of lighting for Chautauqua Theater Company. They set up for a 9 week season in western New York at the Chautauqua Institution which is situated on a beautiful lake. It a great mix of small town life paired with a crazy work schedule at the theater. This area was so beautiful, lush green forests and the sparkling lake framed by an ever changing water colored sky. Every time you stepped outside it was different too with storms always rolling through, a lighting designers dream to see how different the same place could look through the effects of Mother Nature.

But one of the most spectacular sights I encountered was on the Fourth of July. It is tradition along the lake that for every Fourth of July people gather at the lakes edge and light flares to create "the ring of fire" along the lake. The flares give off this bright punch of vibrant red so you can see them all the way across the lake. Everything near the lakes edge goes from the pitch black of the night to glowing so bright it almost looks like everything near the lakes edge is on fire. And just when you think the lake could not sparkle any more from the dancing flames a fireworks display is launched over the lake. The added colors reflecting off the water really pulls at your heart strings and it reminded us all how important it is to be thankful for our freedoms. For one moment in the midst of this magical display you can feel the crowd forget the imperfections and problems of our nation while they enjoy standing together to celebrate all the good that we have. I love that light has this power over our emotions to take an ordinary night and fill it with passion and love that brings an entire town together.