Four Questions with Anne Militello
Vortex Lighting/MODE Studios
Renowned lighting designer Anne Militello brings many years of experience in architecture, theater, concert tours, theme parks and light art installations to her role as principal designer/producer for MODE Studios. Her award-winning, world-class portfolio spans the globe, featuring scores of ultra-prestigious architectural, live and themed entertainment projects.
Anne is also a widely recognized fine artist with a career spanning all aspects of creating with light. Through her stage collaborations with Sam Shepard, David Lynch, Maria Irene Fornes, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Placido Domingo, Robert Plant, Pearl Jam and many others, her lighting designs have illuminated the world’s leading entertainment venues, including Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, Royal Albert Hall, Public Theater, Canadian Opera, Seattle Opera, and Staples Center.
What was the first concert that you ever attended?
I snuck into Procol Harem’s afternoon soundcheck when I was 11. They were playing in my Catholic grammar school’s auditorium in Buffalo that the priests rented to ‘hippies’ on the weekend. I fell in love with all of it, and knew I wanted to make this my life’s work.
How does music inspire your work?
I find it hard to do any creative exercise without the right music in the background. Both of my recent productions were a tour de force of visuals and sound — a perfect and good play of darkness.
What was your favorite musical production in the past 18 months,?
Massive Attack in LA and the Philip Glass opera Atlas at the LA Opera
Why are you excited to attend NAMM 2020?
Good conversations, good energy, and extremely cool new, unusual musical gadgets. I like the chaos of the soundscape on the showroom floor.
For more information about Anne's work, please visit https://vortexlighting.com.