David Taylor, Noted Theatre Consultant, Dies at 48

David Taylor, the theatre consultant and lighting designer, died in Taipei, Taiwan on Monday, January 17. He was 48. He died falling from the 14th floor of the Howard Plaza Hotel. Early newspaper reports suggested that the death was a suicide; however, updated reports indicate that the police have refused to speculate on the cause of death. A full police report is said to be pending.

A popular, well-connected, and highly involved member of the industry, Taylor was born in London. He studied theatre aesthetics at the University of London, followed by attendance at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and graduate studies at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Taylor spent 21 years at Theatre Projects Consultants where he was involved in a number of acclaimed and high-profile projects, including the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, New Amsterdam Theatre in New York, Hyperion Theatre at Disneyland, Goodman Theatres in Chicago, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, San Jose and Seattle Repertory Theatres as well as new homes for the Seattle Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra and New World Symphony. His international experience includes projects in Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe and the UK, including the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas Hall in Kuala Lumpur for the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orange Tree and Tricycle Theatres in London.

In 2006, he joined the design/engineering/consulting firm Arup to lead the company's theatre consulting work in the Americas. Among his projects there was the Jerome Robbins Theatre at 37 Arts in Manhattan. He was scheduled to be in Miami next week for the opening of New World Symphony, in which he played a key role.

Taylor also worked as a lighting designer. For London's Tricycle Theatre, he lit The Gamblers, Dreyfus, The Mai, Macbeth, Wine in the Wilderness, and Water. In New York, he designed the musical Shabbatai and the New York premiere of The Workroom for American Jewish Theatre. Other credits included Lucia di Lammermoor for Lyric Opera of Kansas City, The Lady's Not For Burning at San Jose Repertory Theatre, and the Bollywood musical I Believe at the National Theatre in Mumbai. Most recently, he lit the American tour of The Great Game: Afghanistan, produced by the Tricycle Theatre, and seen at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C.; the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis; Berkeley Rep in California; and at New York University's Skirball Center, where it was presented by the Public Theatre. A return engagement in Washington saw the production staged for personnel at the Pentagon.

A statement from Arup says, 'It is with the greatest sadness that Arup advises the passing away of Mr David I. Taylor. David was Arup's global leader of Theatre Consulting, based in New York.

"David's untimely death occurred during a business visit to Taipei. He was starting a wonderful project that he had brought into Arup through his typical combination of skill, design flair, enthusiasm and commitment.

"David was a major and much-loved international name in the theatre business, both as an exceptional forward thinker and designer for the performing arts, theatre planner, technical systems consultant, and active stage lighting designer.

"David will be irreplaceable to Arup and to the theatre design industry, but most to his family, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy."

Taylor was also very involved in both ESTA and PLASA. He served as vice-president on the ESTA board for five years and was the vice chair of the new PLASA North America regional board as well as a member of the new PLASA governing body.

Matthew Griffiths, chief executive PLASA, notes that Taylor was equally well-known in Europe, both for his design and consulting work and for his participation in Showlight, the quadrennial symposium on lighting design held in various European cities. "David had a lot of friends and associates in the UK," adds Griffiths. "We will miss his wit and wisdom and his passion for the theatre industry. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family."

In a statement, Eddie Raymond, chairman of the PLASA North American board, says, "PLASA North American staff and members were devastated to learn of the passing of our colleague and very good friend David Taylor. His passing was sudden and unexpected and leaves a void in our hearts and in our organization.

"Not only was David a forward-thinking theatre professional in lighting design and theatre consultation, but he led the way with modesty, humor, and an open minded approach always considering the greater good of the industry, the myriad people who do the work and indeed the earth as a whole.

"David's warmth and humor could be counted on at every greeting, no matter how brief and far between. He was a reliable comrade in every endeavor we shared, even though he was one of the busiest people on the planet. He was always willing to lend a hand and to contribute his global point of view.

"We at PLASA in North America extend our sincere condolences to David's wife Sara and his two beloved sons Sebastian and Oliver in this most difficult moment. The loss of David from our midst cannot compare to that of those whom he loved the most. We know how dear they were to him by the stories and pictures he so lovingly shared with us.

"We too find it hard to imagine a world without David."

As mentioned above, Taylor is survived by his wife, Sara, and his sons, Oliver and Sebastian.

A prayer vigil in Taylor's memory is to be held tonight January 19 at 7pm at his church, Salem Covenant Church, in Washington Depot, Connecticut. A Facebook page, titled In Memory of David Taylor, has been established. Also, Arup has created a blog for people to post remembrances and messages to Taylor's family. It can be reached by using the URL listed below.