Tens of millions of Americans raved about Joe Biden’s speech last night.
Many also raved about the music playlist, fireworks and drone display.
No one even mentioned the lighting.
But the reason all those people were able to see the president-elect — and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris — so well, outside the hard-to-light Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, was Andrew Lott.
The view from Andrew Lott’s lighting board. (Photo/Andrew Lott, via Staples Players)
At Staples High School, the Class of 2009 alum served as lighting director for many Players shows. He continued his studies — and lighting — at the University of Michigan.
Andrew went on to work at the Spoleto Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, the Public Theatre, Shakespeare in the Park and Lincoln Center.
He spent 2 years as lighting director for “CNN Tonight.” He now works nationally on a wide variety of events.
Last year, he returned to Westport to run a lighting workshop for Staples Players.
No one notices a lighting director (unless he screws up). But last night, as many Americans envisioned a brighter future, they saw it — with perfect clarity — thanks to Westport’s own Andrew Lott.
(Hat tip: Fred Cantor)