In May 2014 the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers, in conjunction with the Association of Lighting Designers, announced the creation of an annual award as part of their support for education and training in the field of entertainment lighting, for those Lighting Designers who are at the start of their career.
The first winner of the prize is Elliot Griggs who will be presented with his prize at PLASA London 2014. He will also be invited to attend one of the Lightmongers' dinners where award recipients are acknowledged.
The judging panel of professional theatre lighting designers was impressed by the overall quality of the work submitted by all of the entrants, but Elliot was chosen as the unanimous winner.
ALD Chairman Peter Mumford was one of the judging panel. He said, "Elliot presented a very good portfolio with an interesting choice and range of projects, as well as a good selection of images to support his descriptions of how and why he made his creative decisions in each production."
To be eligible to enter the competition, lighting designers have to be in the early stages of their career and working in live performance (theatre, concert touring, dance corporate events etc.). It must be no more than five years since their first paid, professional, credited lighting design.
Mike Simpson of Philips represented the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers at the judging session. "It was clear that Elliot has achieved a large body of work since graduating and has chosen to submit examples that best reflect his thoughtful approach to supporting and creating productions that look different in each case."
When informed of his win, Elliot commented, "I'm absolutely thrilled. This really did come as a complete surprise, so much so I had to pause the technical rehearsal session I was in! I just want to thank the production photographers (Richard Davenport, Stuart Allen and Peter Marsh) who consistently manage to truthfully capture my designs. We, as lighting designers, are completely at their mercy."
The presentation of the prize takes place on Tuesday 7 October 2014 on the Theatres' Trust Stage - stand R40 in the main hall - at 2.30pm. Elliot's submitted portfolio will be on display on the ALD stand - T64 - throughout the duration of PLASA London 2014.
(Jim Evans)
