Jon brings to FDA a unique understanding of the theatre building and its operations from his experience in both theatre production and performing arts administration.
His familiarity with the artistic, technical and operational requirements of theatre facilities informs his work developing stage dimming systems, architecturally integrated lighting positions, concert and repertory light plots, and advanced computerized lighting controls. He designs lighting systems for a wide variety of performance spaces that both feature the latest digital technologies and follow time-tested practices.
Significant projects include lighting design of the “Mostly Mozart” Festival at Avery Fisher Hall; state of the art lighting systems for a new 2,000-seat opera house for the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto; a fully- automated concert lighting rig for the new Nashville Symphony Hall; and the systems for a three-theatre Guthrie on the River complex under construction in Minneapolis.
Presently he is working on a permanent venue for Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian Casino in Las Vegas; the new Henry Miller's Theatre on Broadway; renovation and expansion of Alice Tully Hall and the Julliard School at Lincoln Center in New York City; and an experimental media performing arts center including a 1200-seat concert hall, 400 seat theatre, and two studio theatres at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
Prior to joining FDA, Jon consulted with another well-regarded theatre design firm, principally designing systems for academic and professional theatres nationwide. Additionally, he worked as a consultant in the offices of Webb Management Services, a New York City-based firm specializing in performing arts project feasibility studies, business planning and strategic planning for the arts.
Jon's production work includes lighting design for drama, modern dance, musical theater, concerts and electronic music festivals. He has worked as a sound designer and engineer for regional theater and as a staff member of the University of California, where he also supervised sound, lighting and digital media for the Performing Arts Center at the Santa Cruz campus. Additionally, he has experience in production, company, and stage management for professional and educational theater and music organizations.
Jon received his M.A. in performing arts administration from New York University, and his B.A. in Theatre Design and Technology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Copyright 2001 Fisher Dachs Associates