Lighting designer for theatre, comedy, and live events
All the designers deserve attention for the simple but versatile scenic design (Beowulf Boritt), lighting (Rui Rita, Jake DeGroot), and sound design and composition (John Gromada). Fly is as near to an immersive experience as I’ve seen on stage.
Andrea Braun
Fly
Mostly, the magic is created not by the story itself, but by the way it is told. It is a beautiful piece of art, weaving an innovative, interactive set (created by Beowulf Boritt) and lights (co-designed by Rui Rita and Jake DeGroot) with actors who soar through the air without ever leaving their Eames navy chairs.
Donna Parrone
Fly
Scenic designer Beowulf Boritt, projection designer Clint Allen, and co-lighting designers Rui Rita and Jake DeGroot have taken us to a window on the world we’ve never been, and it’s a stunning achievement.
Lynn Venhaus
Fly
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting a modern masterpiece with their soaring production of Fly … and the technical achievements are spectacular. I’m probably going to run out of superlatives before I finish this review, so bear with me as I gush on about one of the most amazing examples of “action” theatre that I’ve had the privilege to witness.
Chris Gibson
Fly
Strictly from a visual standpoint, “Fly” might be the most exciting piece that the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has ever mounted on the Browning Mainstage…[and] much of the credit for this production’s emotional grip and beauty belongs to director Khan and his gifted team.
Judith Newmark
Fly
Rui Rita and Jake DeGroot add dramatic splashes of lighting, that enhance forays into battle, with the key underpinning of John Gromada’s dramatic sound design and original compositions. Toni-Leslie James dresses the men in the outfits of World War II fighter pilots.
Mark Bretz
Fly
The lighting is moody and atmospheric, and complemented by video projections that powerfully recreate the feeling of flight, particularly during maneuvers such as rolling, diving, or attacking enemy planes.
Tina Farmer
Fly
John Gromada’s sound design and Rui Rita and Jake DeGroot’s lighting are impressive, and costuming by Toni-Leslie James is authentic and sharp.
Christopher Reilly
Fly
What makes “Fly” standout, in addition to its excellent, passionate cast and historic story, is it’s very ambitious multimedia staging. The use of video and special lighting design are highly effective.
Harry Hamm
Fly
Solid production values abound: Steven Kemp’s set is functional yet evokes various venues quite well. Sarita Fellows’ costumes are appropriate to the time; the boys’ uniforms hearken to the Brown Shirts worn by proto-Nazis a couple of decades later. Jake DeGroot’s atmospheric lighting really sets a mood as it directs our eyes to various parts of the stage.
Ruth Ross
Spring Awakening
Audience members stomped their feet in approval for almost a solid minute. Now that’s a reaction…Jake DeGroot’s dramatic lighting made the number even more exciting.
Peter Filichia
Spring Awakening
