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Chauvet fixtures illuminate “Newsies” at Broward Center

Clifford Michael Spulock, of CS Lighting, lit the Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of “Newsies” earlier this summer at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For his design, Spulock concentrated on the show’s newspaper theme.

“When you think of a newspaper at the end of the 19th century when this play takes place, you think black print on a white background, as well as sepia toned photos”, he says. “So, my main goal was to use more sepia and white tones, as well as shadowy space to get the feeling of an older movie/newspaper. My more vibrant colors come out for the big dance numbers and to accent more intense moments of the show, but the overall tone fits the newspaper mood.”

Helping Spulock achieve this effect was a collection of 44 Chauvet Professional Maverick, Rogue and Colorado fixtures. Playing a critical role in washing the stage with colors were the 22 Colorado 2 Zoom Tour fixtures in Spulock’s rig. Arranged on four electrics over the stage, the RGBW units were used to project different combinations of redolent hues over a massive set piece.

Adding to the color-scape was the light from six Rogue R2X Wash fixtures. “Using my R2X washes as side lights, I was able to keep the actors lit while still keeping the shadows and gobo breakups present within my design”, says Spulock. “If I were to use a lot of standard color washes like in a normal theatre lighting plot, many of the dark spaces and shadows that were critical to my look would have disappeared.”

A pair of Maverick MK2 Profile fixtures and an equal number of Rogue R1X Spots were positioned on catwalks and were essential to helping Spulock break up the stage with gobo patterns. “Gobo breakups were a main part of my design for this production”, he says. “Being able to have a full stage of multiple different patterns with different colors really gave me many design options to choose from. I then used tight spots and moving washes to help direct the attention to where the action was happening.”

The show was directed by Patrick Fitzwater and choreographed by Trent Soyster. Scenic designer was Kelly Tighe. “Kelly deserves a great deal of credit for creating a set that was multifunctional while also taking lighting into consideration”, notes Spulock. “On one side, it was covered with a scrim that could be front lit to make it feel like we were in a theatre or Pulitzer’s office. Once I lit it from behind, the audience could see steps and scaffolding with newsboys dancing all over it.”

(Photos: Chauvet Professional/CS Lighting)

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