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An Interview With Brian Lynch

Lighting Designer, Cry It Out

Three new moms from different backgrounds bond over parenting babies. Simple? Friendship, marriage, careers are anything but simple in Cry It Out, a comedy with dark edges. Cry It Out takes an honest look at the absurdities of navigating women’s choices, family life, and job security in modern day America.

What is your theatrical background? What is your history with Theatre B?

I started building sets and hanging lights in high school and have been doing technical theatre full-time ever since. I hold a BFA in Theatre from NDSU where I specialized in lighting design. I have been freelancing in a variety of technical theatre disciplines since 2013. Shae Hittman contacted me to do the scenic design for “Hand to God” in 2017 and since then I have been designing lights and sets for B whenever my schedule allows.

What does a lighting designer do?

Practically speaking, a lighting designer at Theatre B coordinates the hanging and focusing of lighting equipment in cooperation with the Technical Director and Set Designer. I pick the lights, I hang the lights, I plug in the lights, I color the lights and then I turn them on at just the right moment. From an artistic standpoint, a lighting design will enhance costumes and set to create a complete environment on stage. Good lighting can provide movement, pacing, and emotion to the story told on stage.

What part of the design process do you find to be the most fun? What about the most challenging?

Every design is different and provides different joys and challenges. In general, the best part of a design is the process of making the final lighting looks on stage. The challenges come when the show has specific needs. For example, multiple locations, multiple times of the day, simulating weather or other special effects. Each show brings its own hurdles.

Is there a specific aspect of the Cry It Out design that makes you really happy or proud?

I am happiest supporting the director’s vision for the show. As we put it together, I will be most proud of the opportunity to contribute to and enhance the work of the rest of the artistic staff.

What is something an audience member should pay attention to when they see the show?

This show is a great one to watch for the details. The props, costumes, sound, and set are all rich with detail and storytelling in the margins.

Anything else about you or the show that you would like to share?

My wife Clare Lynch is also a frequent Theatre B collaborator and a spectacular actor, and I would not be where I am today without her.