Mel Augenstein

Look Up

Ever since I can remember, I have always been looking up. Looking up at clouds, stars, lightning, the moon, and anything else the sky had to offer. Whenever I felt lost or stuck or afraid, I would look up. To see the vastness of the sky always seemed to help make my problems seem smaller. It was a way of grounding myself. When I grew up, I started looking up at concerts, theatrical shows and any other productions I attended. I loved the feeling that seeing live events gave me so much that became a lighting designer. I have spent my entire career so entranced by complex lighting designs, video and scenic elements, and the electricity and teamwork that makes these shows possible. I have designed and programmed powerful and immersive shows that connect people and help them to feel that they are a part of something bigger than themselves. It has been a beautiful career, yet somehow I began to lose myself. I was so busy looking up while I was inside that I forgot to look up while I was outside as well.