Chris Reade
Lighting Designer / Production Designer
KYVA Design, LLC
www.kyvadesign.com
A Howard Ungerleider lighting design for Rush was the inspirational spark that ignited Chris Reade’s career in lighting and production design. A lifelong learner who is grateful for the support and connections he has made in the lighting community, this 2022 CMA Touring Award winner has forged a successful career collaborating with an array of artists from Jon Pardi and Dierks Bentley to Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony.
Meet Chris
Do you remember when you first became enamoured with lighting? What fascinated you about it?
Absolutely! I saw Rush in concert and I was amazed. I had to learn more about it all, which led me to an article about the tour and introduced me to Howard Ungerleider. I was inspired then, and I still am to this day by Howard and his art.
What fascinated you about it?
I think the fascination was that it was the first time I really experienced feeling the music visually. It felt like it belonged, as if it was a visual interpretation of the emotion of the song.
When you think back on how you learned your craft, what do you see as the most important factor?
The most important thing for me has been other lighting professionals. The support, sharing of knowledge and creativity has been invaluable to me, and I'm so grateful. I still try to learn regularly, and I think we never stop learning as technology changes so much over time. It's never boring that way.
How have your designs changed over the years and have the advances in lighting technology had a hand in that?
I'd like to think they've gotten more impactful. More bridging an old school look of design with new technology. The opportunities for expression have expanded with technology improvements for sure. It's a lot different than the days of the wall of par cans, gel and acl's.
Product development happens quite quickly in this industry. Do you feel a need to be on the cutting edge as far as using new technologies and how do you stay up-to-date with new lighting technologies and techniques?
I don't feel the need to be on the cutting edge. That being said, I do love newer, brighter LED's and that technology. I like re-introducing older instruments into designs as well because I think sometimes we are moving forward so fast that we overlook some really cool instruments. Staying up to date with new tech for me is either through reading, word of mouth or seeing it firsthand.
You’ve worked with a diverse number of artists and have served a number of roles in your career. What aspect of lighting do you enjoy the most?
Y'know, I enjoy the technical parts of programming and running the show and making it all come to life. I've had the opportunity to collaborate and learn from Bruce Rodgers on the design side of things over the last decade as well, and that is so mind expanding and fun. I love it all!
Have you used Elation much in your career? I know you used the Artiste Mondrian and Monet on Jon Pardi’s tour a few years back. Is there anything in the new Elation catalog that you’d like to try out?
Yes, and I'm a fan of Elation for sure! I'd really like to get my hands on the new Proteus Brutus instrument. That thing looks intense!!
What do you like to do when you’re not doing lighting?
I embrace hanging out with my family when the opportunity comes along and I really enjoy traveling to other countries and experiencing other cultures and their architecture. It's really become an important part of my life outside of work and home.
