Project Brief

Install a temporary projection show called ENCHANTED ILLUMINATIONS including two separate performances (CHRISTMAS WISHES and SUGARPLUM SPECTACULAR) that rotate every 30-45 minutes across the three-night Christmas in Davidson event. CHRISTMAS WISHES introduced Davidson's first appearance of live dancing performers throughout a projection installation for the event.

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Involvement Throughout the Process

In mid-November, Sigmon Theatrical contracted me to surface map and operate ENCHANTED ILLUMINATIONS in early December. The production team arrived the day before the first night of Christmas in Davidson to install the media system. I worked alongside Creative Director, Projection Designer, and Choreographer Caleb Sigmon to align media content to the facade of Davidson's store-fronts.

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After the first night of the event and communicating with Caleb about how to enhance the experience for guests, we decided our answer was to create interstitial projection content between each performance. I then spent the night and the following day animating in After Effects to create 5-7 second sequences that played every eight minutes.

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Design Challenges & Adaptation

One of the primary challenges during CHRISTMAS WISHES was maintaining consistency and clarity in a live, outdoor performance environment that featured immersive dancers interacting closely with projected media. As with all live experiences, no two performances are identical, and even small fluctuations can ripple across creative and technical elements. This required a heightened level of awareness, flexibility, and anticipation to ensure projections, performers, and pacing remained aligned throughout each show.

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Midway through the run, unforeseen audio issues emerged, resulting in levels that varied between being too loud and too quiet for both performers and guests. In response, I stepped into a communication role, acting as a point of clarity between the production team and the audience. While this responsibility extended beyond my original scope, it reinforced the importance of calm, clear, and empathetic communication in high-pressure situations. By maintaining a composed presence and proactively relaying information, we were able to reduce confusion, ease tension, and keep the guest experience intact despite technical challenges.