Legacy We've all studied Dance History when we were in college, right? It was bunched up with our Theater and Film History classes and .. that dreaded Dance and World Cultures class. Since Modern Dance is only 100 years old, it's common for the teacher to present a "dance history tree." Like a family tree chart, Isadora Duncan taught Martha Graham taught Paul Taylor taught Merce Cunningham (I know those aren't right, it's just an example). I thought I'd present my own tree because, while I may not have understood at the time -- my teachers were pretty awesome. My guess is that your eyes will glaze over unless you are steeped in the culture. Read on and tell me what you think. My first lighting teacher was Georg Schrieber, no it's not a typo. He was my boss for seven years. He was a Yale graduate and designed for the Santa Fe Opera for 12 seasons. He taught me the meaning of gestalt in making theater. He also taught me noblesse oblige, which means essentially "nobility demands" or that if I'm a boss I have to work tonight! After a mere two years as a stagehand he promoted me to Stage Crew Chief and then to Asst. Technical Director. During the time I was ATD he was building a Dinner Theater leaving me in charge of a 2000 seat road house, I was only 26 years old. I'll never forget my first big shows; three semis, a 40 man Union crew, our house crew and the roadies -- eventually I learned to supervise, fast! I got my master's degree (MFA) in theater, my mentor and prime teacher was Doc Ballard. He was the first black lighting designer I'd ever met. (I guess it's February!) He was my boss, mentor, teacher and advisor. He'd done the NYC scene and knew the big names in New York. He was a great guy. Soon after I graduated, I got a call from the Dance School - they wanted to hire me! My boss was Cristyne Lawson. Since it's Black History month, I'll say she was a woman and black. Those issues were not issues with me, I worked for her for 15 years! She was a great boss and a good friend. Her background was that she danced for Ruth St. Denis, Martha Graham and was in the inaugural company of Alvin Ailey, she's even mentioned in his autobiography! Cristyne represents every generation of modern dance. I designed lights and sets for Cristyne for 15 years. She taught me so much about dance, I think the thing that stuck with me over all was her saying, "If it's not fun, why do it?" Of course, we were in a nightmare show at the time, lol. I have to mention Larry A. Attaway. He was the composer for Bella Lewitzky. He taught me a lot about art-making. I designed probably six of his works, the main thing he taught me was the art of critique. Brilliant man. Tina Yuan has been a major influence on my design. She was on our faculty for many years and I designed for her for many many years. Her pedigree can be found in the link, of note is that she was a principal dancer for Alvin Ailey. Let me toot my horn, my school CalArts was founded by Walt Disney as an interdisciplinary experimental art school. We are in our 35th year, 17 years for me. We are a private art college that is accredited by WASC and NASD, we've the credentials. Tuition is 30 grand just for one year! It's obscene, I know. Yet our faculty is top-notch, working artists who have actually succeeded in the art world. That I am in the mix amazes me, yet somehow I am a valued member (remember that They called Me to work here), it's a vibrant education on so many levels. If you do the math ... our first graduates (assuming 20 years old) are now 55 years old. Finally our alum's are stepping into positions of power. We are such a young school. We have Pulitzer prize winners on our faculty. I can read names I know in history books. Trust me, I'll not be in any history books -- but my pedigree is awesome. I've been taught by the best. And I pass it on to my students, we will change the world. My legacy? Well, here's the link. Fifteen years of design with some of the most interesting choreographers, musicians, composers, dancers, designers in the world today. Feel free to pull up a cup of coffee and check out the shows. Oh yeah ... I am DK in the program! And, yeah, I made the web-page too.