FALL 2011
Shining Example: Famed Lighting Designer
James F. Ingalls Visits USC By Allison Engel
Acclaimed lighting designer James F. Ingalls had a barely open window of availability, sandwiched between two projects: lighting the Kauffman and Hart play Once in a Lifetime at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, and flying to Paris to start rehearsals for Toni Morrison’s play, Desdemona, directed by Peter Sellars, with whom Ingalls has collaborated for decades.
Lighting designer James F. Ingalls (second from right) works with students and Associate Dean and Artistic Director Jack Rowe (on right) in preparation for the School’s production of Mansfield Park.
Luckily for the School of Theatre, Ingalls agreed to spend the rare eight days he had free at USC, designing the lighting for the Jane Austen play Mansfield Park, directed by Associate Dean and Artistic Director Jack Rowe, which opened October 6 in the Bing Theatre. During those days, students had an unparalleled opportunity to work closely with Ingalls during long evening and weekend rehearsals. Ingalls, who normally teaches master’s students in his role as an adjunct professor at UC San Diego, interacted with a crew that was primarily undergraduates. He exchanged emails prior to his arrival with student set designer Manuel Prieto (Class of 2012), costumer Hannah Kim (Class of 2014) and sound designer Kelsey Halverson (Class of 2013). For Ingalls, these were not “The details change, the scale of conversations with students. “To me, they were conversathe house changes, but it comes tions with designers,” he said. “I’m impressed with how down to the same idea – we’re they are doing. They’ve been very eager and positive.” presenting a story for people.” During one evening rehearsal, Ingalls and first lighting assistant Sarah Steinman (Class of 2011), a B.F.A. in theatre — James F. Ingalls design, were teaching freshman Leah Koch how to operate a light board. “It’s my maiden voyage,” said Koch, who expressed it was “unbelievable and pretty awesome” that she would be instructed by industry veteran Ingalls. Watching Ingalls’ every move in the row behind the sound board are “students who don’t have to be here,” said lighting design assistant professor Tom Ontiveros, who was responsible for bringing Ingalls to campus. Ontiveros, who received an M.F.A. in lighting design from UCSD, had Ingalls as a professor. Ontiveros said he had long wanted to bring Ingalls to campus, and picked Mansfield Park primarily because Ingalls – who spends about two-thirds of his year in theatres away from his New York City base – could fit it into his schedule. Ontiveros said, “Jim is clearly one CONTINUED ON PAGE 3