4Wall Partners with Hemsley Lighting Programs to Support Young Designers

4Wall New York recently continued its partnership with the Hemsley Lighting Portfolio Review by hosting an automated lighting demonstration as well as assisting with the organization of a product showcase for the participants.

Now in its ninth year, the Annual Lighting Portfolio Review offers graduate students a chance to have an extended dialogue with leading theater professionals as well as the chance to receive critique on their portfolios. This year's incarnation brought 32 students from 20 universities across the country to New York.

For the fourth consecutive year, 4Wall New York played host to the students and faculty of the program for a night of automated lighting demonstrations held inside the 4Wall shop. The night featured a lecture led by designer Dave Grill as well as programmer Paul Sonnleitner.

In addition to reviewing fixtures and learning valuable programming tips, the students were able to get an inside look at the planning and execution of Grill's design for the Pan Am Games.

The organizer of the Portfolio Review, NYC Ballet resident lighting designer Mark Stanley, says, "This valuable seminar continues to be a highlight of the Portfolio Review weekend and allows students a unique opportunity to view a wide range of equipment in side by side comparisons, as well as hear from top designers and programmers about their work."

As a new addition to the review experience, 4Wall also helped to organize a product showcase event during the weekend that included products from ETC, Phillips, Chroma-Q, Chauvet, Rosco, and more. This event gave the students direct contact with manufacturer reps to discuss their latest products.

4Wall senior vice president of business development Al Ridella, says, "The Portfolio Review is a place where we can help to shape the next generation of designers and programmers by exposing them to leaders in their field. In addition to the knowledge they gain at this event, they also begin relationships that will help them throughout their careers. We are always honored to have a role in that experience."