The tour's stage / scenic concept was a triumvirate creative process evolved by Chris Kuroda, production manager Chris Gratton and stage designer Nick Demoura. Grande, on her first full production tour, was integrally involved with the process.
Chris Kuroda's starting point for the lighting was a 60ft wide LED video wall, centre stage that parts in the middle for entrances and exits. With this massive lightsource already dominating the visual horizon, he needed exceptionally bright lighting sources and opted for Robe's BMFL Spot.
The BMFL Spots and Pointes are dotted all over the rig, positioned on a series of diamond-shaped pods over the stage and audience, and on various trusses.
It's his first design with BMFLs. He decided to go with them after receiving a demo from Robe Lighting Inc. soon after the fixture was launched.
The BMFLs are used to produce lots of aerial graphics together with zoom effects and prism looks, their sheer brightness making them stand out. "They work extremely hard throughout the set" says Chris, adding "we're delighted ... they are our 'elegant' lights."
Twenty-four of the Pointes are deployed on two side trusses flown two feet off the stage either side in the traditional 'shin buster' position, while the rest are dotted around in the pods. The near circular shape of the pods means the Pointes' twisty movements and looks can be maximized.
Ahead of the Ariana Grande tour, Chris and long-time programmer and associate Andrew Giffin rented space in Fort Lauderdale, FL, where Chris is based, and completed three weeks of pre-visualization. They had a Pointe and a BMFL in the space with them as they started programming the grandMA2 console.
Chris, Andrew and Chris's lighting director on the road for Ariana, Nick Van Nostrand, had all worked together previously on Justin Bieber's last Believe tour.
This process was followed by two weeks of production rehearsals at Long Beach Arena in southern California.
Chris, in conjunction with Production Manager Chris Gratton, also chose the pyro and lasers, and video was designed by Nick Millitello. The lighting contractor is VER.
(Jim Evans)
