Redlands Theatre Festival Lights Up with Recent Donation

Things are suddenly brighter and more focused at the Redlands Theatre Festival, the recent recipient of nearly $13,000 in donated lighting equipment from 4Wall Entertainment in Las Vegas. The donation, arranged by former RTF member Buddy Pope, and now senior project manager for 4Wall Entertainment's systems division, began use this summer when the festival opened its season on July 11. "4Wall Entertainment has provided the Redlands Theatre Festival with valuable lighting equipment and, in doing so, has enhanced the ability to bring its productions up to current standards and state of the art theatrical technology," said festival founder and producing director Cliff Cabanilla. "We are extremely grateful for this very generous donation and appreciate the gesture very much," he said. "4Wall Entertainment has given the festival tools with which to enlighten live productions and bring even greater appreciation and excitement for audiences to share." Former RTF member Pope said he worked at the festival for a few years during and after college and has always wanted to "pay it forward" to a program that helped him set a course on a career in the theatrical lighting industry. "I am truly thankful to work for an employer that understands the value and importance of community theater," Pope said. "Programs such as RTF are a starting point for many of us to begin careers in entertainment, be it on stage or behind the scenes." Michael Cannon, 4Wall president and CEO, approved the donation and helped to work out the details. "4Wall has strived to donate to a number of theater programs over the past few years, focusing on those with ties to our current employees. Theater is a huge part of our industry that we are proud to support," he said. Pope said the fixtures he selected will help in lighting all the festival's shows in repertory this summer. The equipment allows festival technical staff greater lighting ability and flexibility, RTF's Cabanilla said. "They throw a much more concentrated light in areas that paint the actors and sets, giving the lighting designers greater ability to convey a total picture of what authors and directors are seeking in translating the script to live stage," he said. The 42nd anniversary season of the Redlands Theatre Festival runs through Aug. 23. Curtain time for the six plays and musicals and one concert is 8:30 p.m. This year’s season again celebrates the old and the new, as well as the tried and true, with six shows including Dolly Parton's "9 to 5: The Musical," the musical "Romance Romance," the drama and dance presentation "Through Wonderland," the funny and riveting "Other Desert Cities," Steve Martin's comedy "The Underpants," and a reprise of last year's hit “Love, Loss, and What I Wore.” In addition, there will be a one-night only concert, "Down on the Corner," on Aug. 17, featuring the RFT Band and Singers.