Lighting engineer talks to Vernon students

VERNON — Sean Beach, a New York City-based lighting designer, assistant, and moving light programmer, stopped in to the Black Box at Vernon Township High School recently to visit the acting and theater tech students, bringing lots of visual treats like schematics and video of some of his recent work.
He talked to the students about his own journey from high school to becoming a Broadway lighting designer. He told them it was never easy and there were many times when he was just scraping by, but that he had the drive and the hustle and wouldn't take no for an answer. In the beginning, Beach printed out his résumé and just started knocking on stage doors hoping someone would pass his information onto the lighting booth; luckily, one day he got a call that started his career. From that point on he's worked on Broadway shows such as A Bronx Tale, Aladdin, Rock of Ages, and Motown, as well as the hit movie Pitch Perfect.
His passion about art and how light shapes our world has led him to work professionally on projects encompassing theatre, film, dance, concerts, and corporate events. Students were excited to hear from a professional who never gave up on his dream. Beach, who holds a BFA in Lighting Design from the North Carolina School of the Arts, shared tips of the craft as well as inspiring them to pursue their passions.