In Memoriam: Steven A. Helliker, 1948 - 2017

	Steven A. Helliker

Steven A. Helliker passed peacefully in his sleep on October 19, 2017 in Coral Springs, Florida. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Diane Helliker, their daughter Alaina Butler and granddaughter, Ashlyn.

Helliker held a degree in theatre education from William Paterson University of New Jersey. He was a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and sat on its Theatre, Television and Film Advisory Committee. He was also a member of Who's Who in Business Worldwide and Alpha Psi Omega honorary dramatic fraternity. Helliker developed several seminars designed to educate in the fields of theatrical and television lighting, product display, and the physics of light in general.

Helliker's solid reputation in the industry was built upon his 30-plus years of experience, which included extensive Broadway and touring experience as well as numerous consulting credits. He was also an avid and effective mentor to many young up and coming electricians and designers who now thrive and have influence in today's entertainment and architectual lighting fields. As a principal with BASH Theatrical Lighting in the New York area in the 1980s, he played a critical role in the production of projects for many national dance and theatre companies, as well as some of the first-ever show events done for large business entities, which later evolved into the huge corporate show market known today. In 1991 he moved to Orlando, Florid to start up the first BASH expansion office, and over the next seven years he built it into a major source for the region's rapidly growing lighting and production needs and helped create new career paths for all around him. Lighting and consultation credits include Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris - Broadway and National Companies; Night of the Champions; 41st, 42nd, 43rd Tony Awards; and An Evening with Shari Lewis and Frank Sinatra. Commercial credits include Product display for Bloomingdales New York; Fred the Furrier; British American Tobacco and The Lighting Professionals, and corporate shows for IBM, Worldcom/ MCI, Ford, General Motors, and many more. Helliker was also a consultant for Centennial Park in Atlanta, built for the 1996 Olympic Games.

Helliker was published in Lighting Design and Application magazine, Exhibitor Magazine, and was a contributor to Meetings and Convention magazine. He served on various panels for Lighting Dimensions International, United States Institute of Theatre Technology, and the New York Theatre League. He was a founding member and past board member of the Entertainment Services and Technology Association as well as a member of the Technical Theatre Curriculum Advisory Committee of Valencia Community College.

Business credits include positions of vice president BASH Theatrical Lighting, Inc., vice president production TRIAD Productions Inc., president BASH Lighting Services South, and vice president business development VANCO Lighting Services. He retired as president of Candela Controls, Inc. January 1, 2011.

Helliker's wife, Diane Helliker, and their daughter, Alaina Butler have chosen to establish a scholarship with the Coral Springs Charter School in Helliker's honor. Their decision to do so is twofold:

First, Helliker's love for the performing arts was profound. Coming from a theatrical background, he spent his entire working career in the theatre and various theatrical industries. He was also fiercely passionate about promoting the next generation of theatre artists, and helped many to find their place in college and eventually the theatre industry.

Second, Helliker was extremely proud of his daughter Alaina, who has been a theatre and film teacher at the school for 12+ years. Her dedication and philosophy in fostering the arts is exactly the same as Helliker's, promoting the advancement of the next generation of theatrical enthusiasts to follow their dreams with passion. In keeping with his wishes, the family is foregoing a traditional memorial service. Instead, the Saturday, November 4th performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream will be dedicated to his memory. The performance will be held in the Coral Springs Charter School theatre at 7:00pm.

For more information, or to make a donation, please email HellikerMemorial@gmail.com.