A former student at Dr. Phillips High School Theatre Magnet in Orlando, Florida, has
been making creative use of GLP’s cutting state-of-the-art X4 series to light school
productions.

Michael Pagan’s interest in lighting design dates back to his school days, starting off
in the theatre world. “I became more and more interested in the art of lighting
during middle school and when I first did my internship at PRG Orlando I saw GLP’s
X4’s being tested for the first time and witnessed how much they could do,’ he
remembers.

He undertook his first design using the fixtures for Orlando Business Journal. “The
client wanted movement but we needed to keep the power consumption low, so the
impression X4 was the answer.’

He says there was much that impressed him about the fixture. “They are light
weight but have the brightness equivalent to an arc lamp. The vibrant colours,
where I can go from a pastel look to a deep saturated colour, and the large number
of patterns built in, also stood out. Personally, my favourite feature is the zoom,
which is so dynamic, going from a beam to covering a stage in colour in a matter of
seconds. It’s such a versatile light.’

As an alumnus of Dr. Phillips High School, he was invited by the school’s Theatre
director, Jason Whitehead, to design the production of Rent, the opening show of
the new season. “I specifically asked to use the impression X4 again as I had used
them on an earlier show in order to demo them to Jason. When even the fixture
stands out to the director you know it’s definitely worth it!’

PRG came across with inventory as 12 of the GLP impression X4 (grouped in three
lines of four) lit the stage. “The challenge going into this was that I knew I needed
to go from big concert rock feeling ensemble numbers, with the stage covered in
colour, to silhouette and intimate looks throughout the show,’ explains Pagan.
“That’s when the beams were caught in the haze and the whole production came
alive.’

The lighting was triggered from an ETC ION console, and with the fixture profiles
loaded “programming and setting up all my pallets was a breeze.’

After the four day season had completed Pagan quickly moved on to another show
called Songs Of A New World, where he is again using the X4 — this time as a front
wash as well as moving specials throughout the show. “Again I have been taking full
advantage of their zoom and colour.’

The LD has already been recognised for his artistry with an Applause Awards
nomination, the program designed to honour and celebrate excellence in High
School Musical Theatre. “This nomination was important because of the recognition
that the lighting had become another character in the show. It helped the audience
to feel the love, happiness and sorrow in the show — and to be recognized for this
achievement is superb to me,’ concludes the designer.