Marin School Of The Arts - November 2013
         Simonds Designs has begun what we predict to be a long and creative relationship with the Marin School Of The Arts , located on the campus of Novato High School in Novato California.
 Under the direction and scenic design of Rodney Franz, I was commissioned to design the lighting for "Hello Dolly". I also created a flexible rep hang using existing conventional and L.E.D. units.

       Mr Franz was very happy with the results, and I had a great time as well. No production is created
in a vacuum. Assistant Director / Stage Manager Ali Evens was a great help. She is one that Im sure to cross paths with in her future career. Brennan Jantzen and Emmaline Monahan both gave above and beyond in the creation of this production. Special thanks to console operator Aiden Lowell and spot operator Sara Packer. I look forward to working with them all in the future.      

Martinez Opera

In may of 2012, Martinez Opera mounted the Gioachino Rossini classic "The Barber of Seville". Directed by Cesare Curzi, this was the fourth production with which Simonds Designs has had the pleasure to provide lighting design. Three members of http://www.iatse107.org/Home.html handled the console and follow spot duties. The challenging set changes were professionally executed by stage manager Shannon Dare, and assistant stage manager Ken Best.

I look forward to working with Ms. Dare and Mr. Best again in the future.

Simonds Designs Branches Out To Educational Field

Due to popular demand, Simonds Designs is now available to conduct lighting workshops in bay area high schools. Being that the roots of this craft are started in this area, it only seems fitting to give back. A recent workshop in Martinez California was a great success. Working with the student designer of the Alhambra High School production of "Grease" was a gratifying experience. Explaining how to hang a light plot, color selection, and focus techniques were part of the days curriculum. If interested, please contact us for more details.

"Pistols And Prayers"

Simonds Designs has been hired on as the lighting vendor for " Pistols & Prayers". This national tour, written and performed by H.B.O Def Poet Ise Lyfe, will run between June 17 and July 17 2011 at 408 14th Street in Oakland, California. The lighting designer is Oakland based Cristwell Muhammad.

B.A.T.S. Theatre Renovation Complete

Recently, Simonds Designs was hired as the lighting consultation/design firm in charge of the retrofit of the Bayfront Theatre located in San Francisco's historic Fort Mason. It is the long time home of the B.A.T.S. improve company. Replacing the collection of ancient fixtures with new E.T.C. s-4 and Altman units created a dramatic improvement. Upon seeing the result for the first time , artistic director John Remak was very pleased, noting that, "We really need to step up our game! ". The lighting design was created by Will Simonds. Head electrician for the project was Eric Frey. All labor was I.A.T.S.E . local 107. Simonds Designs also has the contract to maintain the system.

Production Announced For Martinez Opera Contra Costa

Simonds Designs has been contacted by The Martinez Opera Company (www.mtzo.com) to design the lighting for their upcoming production of "Lucia". The May 2010 production will be the third show that Simonds Designs has designed the lighting for. The first two were "La Traviata" in 2006, and "Madama Butterfly " in 2008. The production will be mounted, once again, at The Alhambra Center For The Performing Arts" at Alhambra High School in Martinez California. As in the past a crew of high school students will handle the electrics department of the theatre, and therefore, get the unlimited joy and benefits of my perceptions of how a full scale opera is mounted in one week. Yes, one week. The show runs for two weekends, so there is very little time to tweek with the show once it opens.

During the previous run of "Madama Butterfly", I went out to drop of my invoice for the design. After hanging out with my lighting guys, I stuck around while they did a channel check. It was then that the console decided to freeze up, and not work. Being the consummate professional that I am, I promptly said "Here's the deal. In the real world, I wouldn't be here, and you would be on your own. So, I'm not here, and you are on your own." Yes, very mean. I did stick around to watch as these kids were able to come up with another console from a local theatre company that they knew, and with the stage manager, figure out how to make some cues that stayed very close to what I had designed. To say that I was proud would be an understatement. I work with some young stage hands who I foresee in the future landing some giant jobs, where an old man such as myself will be moving too slow for them. Ahh, the monsters I've created.