HOUSTON, March 21, 2008 - LD Systems and lighting designer Nic Phillips gave select USITT attendees and other guests a unique glimpse of the technical workings of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

The event called "Rodeo Backstage" included a buffet dinner on the South Terrace where guests could get a great overall view of the show's main elements.

Shawn Duan, Graham Eales, Philip Sargent, Nic Phillips, and Martin Searancke stand on the press area just behind front-of-house to see how the rodeo competition portion of the event is executed.

Later, the guests viewed the transition from competition to concert mode with the roll-out of the concert stage and lowering of the center light rig.

Closeup of the performance stage.

Full view form the South Terrace

LDS president Rob Mckinley hosted a post concert technical overview and Q&A session with the main discipline leads.

Lighting Designer John Dickson answers questions from John Swords, Shawn Duan, Philip Sargent, and Martin Searancke about the concert stage operation.

Recent notes from a few of the guests:

"Hello y’all

A special thanks to Nic Phillips of Nic Phillips Design and Rob McKinley owner of LD systems for arranging the Houston Rodeo Backstage Tour during USITT. The lighting, moving stage, pyrotechnics, audio and video rig was amazing and drew ahs from the attendees. The talented LD Systems staff provided some real insight after the Rodeo and concert. They discussed the importance of team work when working in a space like the Reliant Park Stadium with multiple acts and daily events. National recording artist Pat Green topped off the evening with LD systems programming of the High End Studios (stage), Varilites (stage truss), Synchrolites (off roof of stadium and floor) and 75+ additional moving lights in the house adding a real artistic mood to the show. The Midas XL8 digital sound console with the feel of analog blew me away. I learned a great deal and thoroughly enjoyed the event."

Scott Church
Selecon Performance Lighting
USITT member

 

“As an international visitor to Texas the Rodeo was the perfect backstage experience. The Rodeo itself, the concert and the tech stuff made for a fantastic evening. A big thanks to all the guys who took time out after the gig to brief us all on what they do”

Martin Searancke
Dream Solutions (LightFactory) Ltd.
Auckland, New Zealand

 

"The backstage tour at Rodeo Houston was a wonderful experience. It was great meeting all the hard working people behind organizing this monstrous event and how they dealt with problems along the way. It was evident that these folks have accomplished so much over the years and how they've continually risen up to the challenges that come there way. It's great to see people so passionate about what they do and strive for quality in their work. The tour was definitely something I'm glad I didn't miss."

Shawn Duan
Student, New York University's Tisch School