Home


 
James Dewey
Lighting Designer | Programmer | Technician

My name is Dewey - James Dewey.  I am a professional Lighting Designer, Technician, and Manager with formal education in Mechanical Engineering.  I have diverse experience, and a broad skill set ranging from production planning and management to creative problem solving.  I specialize in lighting design for concerts, festivals, and events, but can also plan and manage them. 

I am currently based in Cleveland, Ohio, but I’m willing to travel.  I have a valid Ohio Driver’s License and current US Passport with no travel restrictions.



Experience

I will break this down into sections starting with a basic timeline and then details organized by role/skill set.

Timeline
Roles: Many...
Freelance Designer, Manager, Technician2003 - Present

Key Projects & Accomplishments:

Roles: Lighting Designer & Director, Production Planner, Electrical Technician
Vertical Sound2014 - 2018

Key Projects & Accomplishments:

Roles: Lighting Designer, Touring LD
The Werks2008 - 2014

Key Projects & Accomplishments:

Roles & Skills
Programmer/Operator

I've never met a lighting controller that I can’t figure out (except for that old Strand MX theater console...). I am most experienced and proficient on GrandMA and Avolites, but also know my way around Hog, ETC, Leprecon, and Champsys. I have programmed and run hundreds of shows on MA2 consoles and OnPC rigs over the last 5 years and countless more on Avolites over the past 10.

Lighting Designer/Director

I have designed and directed lighting for everything from variety shows and theatrical productions to concert stages and festival site lighting.

2D/3D CAD/Modeling

I am versed with many industry standard CAD tools including but not limited to:

     ∙  Vectorworks  ∙  AudoCAD  ∙  SketchUp  ∙  MA3D

Production Management

Designing productions should also involve to some degree, knowing how to manage them and how different parts work together.  I have years of experience managing the production of many types of events, both big and small, on paper and in real life execution.

Entertainment Electrician

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} ETCP Certified. Being a lighting designer and technician involves a lot of work with electricity.  I have a firm understanding of electrical theory and over a decade of experience applying that knowledge.  I know how to calculate circuit loads and distribution when designing  and implement safe practices when building a rig.

Lighting Technician

As a lighting tech, I bring all my skills to the table.

Troubleshooting & Repair

I have literally been fixing things all my life.  I grew up on a farm where if it broke, you fixed it 3 times yourself before bothering to call someone else.  I have a very mechanical and technical mindset that allows me to easily understand how things work.  Whether its the whole lighting rig, a single moving light, the bus generator, a brake light on the trailer, or anything in between, chances are I can figure it out.

Swiss Army Knife

If you're not familiar with the term, here's a link... Essentially, there isn't much that I can't do

Education
Associates Degree in Applied Science
University of Akron

Mechanical Engineering Technology

A.C.T. Lighting

Specialized training for Grand MA 2 and Dot2 lighting consoles

References

Available upon request.