Jeremy Choate, Designer and Light Artist, Dies at 33

Jeremy Choate, a Houston, Texas-based lighting designer and light artist has died, the victim of a hit-and-run traffic accident. He was 33.

The Houston Press quotes Jennifer Wood, artistic director of Suchu Dance, a local company where Choate often worked, as saying "The victim in this accident died this afternoon leaving behind two young daughters. He was a loved and respected member of the Houston arts community and we are devastated."

Choate's light art work has been featured in many galleries. He also designed lighting for theatre productions at such companies as Stages Repertory, Hits Theatre, and Horse Head and for the opera companies Mercury Baroque and Rice Opera. He was a resident designer at Big Range Dance Festival, Suchu Dance, Dance Houston, Dance of Asian America, and Uptown Dance, among other companies

A suspect in the accident has been identified and arrested. Choate, who was riding a motorcycle at the time of the event, was not wearing a helmet, according to the Houston Chronicle. The newspaper also reports that was on his way to a cast party for Hope Stone Dance Company's "Wreck-we-umm."

In a statement quoted by the website Houston Culturemap, "Jeremy had an uncanny ability to diffuse stressful situations," Louie Saletan, Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex managing director, says. "He was amazing at scanning any situation, he could identify who was getting too tight and bring a sense of peace and calmness. He was the father figure that let everyone know that things would be OK.

"He would work beyond his job description. If there was a need, he would just take care of it before anyone asked or noticed. Jeremy could get done in 30 minutes what others would take six hours to accomplish."

According Houston Culturemap, "It's expected that Choate's daughters will live with his ex-wife, with whom he shared custody. Details about his funeral service have not been announced."