Foundation Makes 19th Annual $7,500 Contribution to the Los Angeles Opera Wally Russell Lighting Intern

The Wally Foundation has now provided annual funding to the Los Angeles Opera totaling nearly $150,000 since the foundation was formed following the untimely death of Wally Russell in 1992.

"This annual contribution has underwritten over 35 Wally Lighting Interns for the Los Angeles Opera who otherwise could not have afforded to spend the time working with the Opera to gain the experience needed to work professionally," commented Jeff Kleeman, technical director of the Los Angeles Opera. "Most of these individuals are still in our industry, and many of them are still working in freelance positions in the Opera."

"This has been an excellent partnership, and we are happy that the foundation has had the financial resources to continue the annual support," commented John Wiseman, Wally Foundation board member and CEO of Chaos Visual. "I would not be a Chaos if not for the support and mentoring that Wally provided to me years ago. He was a true visionary, and all about supporting the youth in our industry and presenting new technologies," Wiseman concluded.

The Wally Foundation also supports a similar intern program at the Canadian Opera and annually provides an award to the 'newcomer' of the year in the lighting industry and provides a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Any and all contribution to the Wally Foundation may be made at: Wally Russell Foundation, Inc. 16458 Bolsa Chica Street, #221, Huntington Beach, California, 92649, USA. Phone 714-699-3572. Email to wallyfoundation@gmail.com.