Archive for the Uncategorized Category

It’s not very often that I will admit I am feeling nostalgic.  Although I’m more sentimental than I let on.  Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of working a benefit held at 8500 Euclid Avenue – the former home of the Cleveland Play House.  I spent many years in various capacities at the old House of Play, and luckily had some time to aimlessly wander my old stomping grounds.  It seemed every square foot sparked a memory.  Every backstage area, hallway, and stairwell had its own story about my time there.  I’m sure I’m not the only one.  Entering the vacant theatres was sad and almost sacred – like visiting the grave of a long lost friend. Seeing the spaces so lifeless was sobering. However, each space brought back memories of wonderful creative teams and productions from years past. Some of my favorite memories are of the Children’s Series

Back in 2003, when the Case Western Reserve University MFA program made Cleveland Play House their home, I designed a production of Twelfth Night in the historic Brooks theatre with a fantastic creative team.  We were all familiar with how one another worked through the creative process and were truly in sync.  Challenges were overcome through collaboration, and the show turned out brilliant. I recently had the pleasure of designing the lighting for the CWRU/CPH MFA production of Twelfth Night now running in the Helen Theatre at Play House Square.  Having been involved with the program for many years, I was thrilled to be asked back and a bit nervous to be part a new team in a new space.  What if we didn’t click?  What if my process drove them crazy?  After all, it has been over seven years since I had designed for CPH.  What if they had

When selecting vendors for your event, there is the option of a one-stop shop or a specialty shop.  This blog post explains the benefit of selecting the best all around fit of services.  From Scratch Weddings blog written by Lighting Designer James Bedell.  You can find the entire blog post here.  ~Beth Reyes, Lead Production Technician Solus Lighting LTD Wedding DJs are necessarily limited in the lighting statements they can make.  The typical DJ has a stock of lighting they’ve purchased as part of an inventory. Financially speaking, they treat these lighting elements just like audio gear. By investing in this equipment and building a rental fee into their contract price they pay back the cost of the gear and eventually begin making a profit. By investing in what they see as universal gear, they will rent it over and over again until they recoup their investment. The problem with that

High school, undergraduate or post-graduate…YOU DID IT!  After the formalities of the ceremonies are over, it’s time to get down and have a great time with your family and friends.  Whether your graduation party is in a ballroom, a private residence or in a tent – we can help you get your party started and keep it rocking all night long! Solus Lighting LTD specializes in special event lighting, and nothing is much more special than celebrating your entrance into higher education or the work force.  Lighting can help enhance the theme of your graduation party and can offer color support in your former or future school colors.  We customize our lighting designs for every event, and work with you or your event planner to make your vision come to life.  Having a true lighting professional on site for the party is essential to get the best & most out

Spring awakens the senses to new beginnings.  Now that April is here, many people are looking forward to a major event – Commencement.  Graduation Ceremonies are tradition to mark a milestone achievement, and, for many, mark the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.  Colleges and universities are continually expanding their curriculums to offer more majors and degrees for undergraduate, graduate, post graduate, and trade certifications.  This expansion has increased graduating class sizes.  Commencement ceremonies are being held in larger and larger facilities – tents, auditoriums, convention centers, and arenas.  Friends and family members attend to watch their loved one cross the stage and receive their hard earned degree.  With these ceremonies taking place in larger facilities, technology is needed to ensure the occasion can be clearly seen and heard.  Sound reinforcement and image magnification (IMAG) are often used to ensure each walking member of the class can be

The Ides of March is upon us, and although the snow will still occasionally fly here in Northeast Ohio, spring is just around the corner.  Spring kicks off a wide variety of fund raising events throughout the area ranging in size and scale.  Development and marketing departments have been working since last year’s campaigns in colleges, universities, theatre companies, museums, and hospitals (among others) to ensure as many philanthropic dollars flow their way as possible.  This is no easy task with so many wonderful causes and non-profit organizations throughout the greater Cleveland area.  So, what works?  As with any event, know your audience.  Once you know what makes them tick, it’s easy to target what will impress them.  Sometimes, this is in the venue selection and décor.  Other times it is with food or entertainment.  We have been lucky enough to light several high profile fundraisers.  We have seen that

Being in the middle of winter makes us think of wedding traditions.  What?  Now?  In February?  Yes!  As we’re sure you all know, we are coming out of the winter bridal show season.  Now that there has been some time to digest all of the information that was out there at the bridal shows, it’s time to think of what is most important to feature on the big day.  So we start to think about how we can incorporate some heritage wedding traditions.  We decided to put together this blog post with some links that we found on some wedding traditions from around the world.  If you would like to find out how we can incorporate your traditions through lighting at your wedding visit our website or give us a call.  Enjoy!     ~The Solus Lighting LTD Team We all know the saying “something old, something new, something borrowed,

The Special Event (TSE) in Chicago did not fail to impress.  I was lucky enough to begin the week attending ISES meetings, retreats, and sessions before the convention kicked off.  What I found most inspiring was the passion ISES members have.  We had the pleasure of getting to know several chapters throughout the Midwest and beyond – some are struggling and others thriving.  This opened up a great dialog amongst chapters and ISES leaders creating a wonderful collaboration to inspire all of us.  I know for a fact the ISES Cleveland chapter came out with exciting programming ideas for next year.  You can read more about ISES Cleveland’s TSE experiences here.    Lighting isn’t a large part of the exhibit floor or educational sessions at TSE (we go to LDI to get the latest on gear).  I use the show floor for my own research.  I love seeing what inspires