Christina Rupp
Lighting Designer, Master Electrician
On a path to a career in the medical industry, a visit to a music festival in college changed Christina Rupp’s life. Mesmerized by the creativity and impact of live production, she recognized its healing potential and found her calling. A designer that challenges the norm, she embraces positivity, growth, innovation, and the lessons that come with every challenge. With an open mind and a determination to push beyond her comfort zone, Rupp believes in continually learning, creating meaningful experiences, and leaving a lasting impression.
Meet Christina
Where did you grow up and what were your early years like? Did you always see yourself working in a creative field?
Growing up in Fallston, Maryland, I transitioned from homeschooling in my early years to public school, where I became highly involved in competitive sports like lacrosse, soccer, and basketball. I was taught from a young age that the medical industry was the most reliable path to a stable career. At the time, I had no exposure to the live events industry—having never attended a music festival or concert, save for the occasional musical. Guided by the desire for stability, I enrolled at Elizabethtown College to major in biomedicine.
How did your path to becoming a lighting designer come about? Do you remember when you first became enamored with lighting?
Honestly, it wasn’t until I got to college, started taking art classes alongside my bio-med prerequisites, and found my friend group that I really started living. One day, a friend turned to me and said, 'Let’s go to Moonrise Music Festival—we can volunteer so we don't have to pay for tickets.' I said yes, not realizing it was about to completely change my life. When we got there, I was in absolute awe. The creativity, the way the entire production moved together—it blew my mind. Seeing how the lights and colors controlled how the crowd felt and engaged was a revelation. I realized in those moments creating that shared, visceral energy felt more psychologically impactful than treating a physical injury in a hospital bed. Nothing compares to that feeling. I had been struggling to find my purpose in my major, but before I even left the festival, I knew this was my calling. I went back to campus, became a double major in Theatre and Studio Fine Art, graduated in 2018, and never looked back. I kicked things off with an internship at EventEQ, worked full-time for a bit, and then took the plunge into freelance work.
Are you an independent LD or do you work through a design firm? How do you typically hear about a project?
I'm currently an independent LD and Production Electrician running my own company, PDX Productions. Most of my gigs come through word of mouth—whether that's from colleagues I've collaborated with or other production companies I've worked alongside over the years. I do still reach out to places with my portfolio, but these days, I'm usually the one being contacted when someone needs lighting services.
When you begin designing for a show, what usually inspires your lighting approach first?
I always start by looking at who the show is for and what message we're trying to send. I really try to dial in on exactly what the client’s vision is. From there, I just let the design flow. The more we can communicate about what they want and need, the better I can capture the exact energy and vibe the show is supposed to have.
What makes a lighting design feel successful to you?
While many elements contribute to a successful design, the ultimate measure is the audience's experience and perception. Were they engaged, and did the environment evoke a response? From a designer’s perspective, however, success also means delivering a cohesive, functional rig that challenges the norm. It requires asking: Did the team learn something new? Did we grow our skills? Did we try an innovative approach that paid off? Even if there were setbacks, did we fail forward and grow from the experience? If the answer is yes, I consider that a truly successful event.
From the beginning of a project to launch event, what is your favorite part of the journey?
Overall, the entire production process is mesmerizing to me. I love everything from the initial conceptual discussions to the first rounds of designs and revisions. Watching the renderings come to life is incredibly rewarding, but as intimidating as it can sometimes be, the build is often my favorite phase. It introduces challenges that serve as teaching moments and create growth opportunities for the entire crew, at every level. Ultimately, there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing a project you have worked so hard on leave a lasting impact on the audience.
What skills beyond creativity are most important for succeeding as a lighting designer?
Leadership, compassion, understanding. Being kind goes a long way, especially when communicating with your crews. There is more than one way to get to the finish line most times, so be open minded.
You designed the lighting for the Army–Navy Gala last December and used the Elation Paragon fixtures on that project. Do you feel a need to stay current with the latest lighting technologies and equipment?
I definitely feel the pressure to keep up with the latest tech—which is tough in an industry that's constantly evolving and so heavily driven by it! But I make a huge effort to always learn something new and keep growing my skills. I do a lot of my own research and hands-on testing before I decide to actually bring a new product or software into my workflow.
Are there any recent advances in entertainment lighting that you feel are especially noteworthy?
The evolution of LEDs in lighting design has long been a talking point, but the technology has truly hit its stride. We are seeing a major influx of LED fixtures with IP65 ratings, giving designers the freedom to deploy high-performance lighting across a much broader range of environments. As traditional lamped fixtures phase out, LEDs provide a vastly expanded color palette to bring creative visions to life, while IP65-rated durability delivers the weather resistance needed for dynamic, uncompromised outdoor designs.
What are your highlights so far in 2026, and what are you working on at the moment?
I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of exciting events this year, serving as a Lighting Designer, Production Electrician, and LED Engineer for clients spanning pharmaceuticals, higher education, and esports and many more. Additionally, I've designed for various musical acts across multiple settings, from nightclub performances to special one-off shows. Currently, I am exploring new creative approaches to my design process, while updating my MA3 show file and optimizing my Vectorworks drafting and engineering workflow.
Is there something you’d like to accomplish in this industry that you haven’t already?
Moving forward, I am eager to explore more opportunities within the music sector of the industry, which is a true passion of mine. I am also driven to change negative perceptions surrounding live events by introducing positivity and innovative ideas. Furthermore, I want to create educational opportunities for newcomers, as there is currently a lack of entry-level outlets and education. My ultimate goal is to create meaningful, wholesome experiences that leave a lasting impact on audiences while continuing to push the creative boundaries of our industry. Honestly, the best part is, I’m just getting started.
What do you like to do when you’re not doing lighting?
When I’m not behind the console, I’m basically always on some kind of adventure or side quest. I’m a big believer in the value of experiences and connections, so I check out a lot of live music—whether I’m with a group or just going solo—and hit up a festival whenever I can. But honestly, when I’m off the clock, I mostly just love hanging out with my dog; she’s the absolute best. We’re usually up in the mountains camping and hiking, or I'm rounding up my friends for some crazy outdoor adventures.
What’s something about Christina Rupp that people might find surprising?
Lately, I’ve been on a mission to overcome my fears. I’ve really realized how much fear holds people back from everyday decisions, causing us to miss out on chances to better ourselves or experience things we never imagined we could. Ironically, even though I'm up in boom lifts and climbing trusses at work all the time, I still had a huge fear of heights and falling. But I decided that 2026 is all about breaking past those controlling fears, so I took them head-on and did the Ouray Via Ferrata and the Moab Rope Swing. There are seriously no words to describe staring out over a 400-foot drop—looking up, not down, obviously! —counting to three and just jumping. It sounds insane, but it was probably one of the best things I've ever done. I can't wait to go again. Bottom line: do it scared!