Meet Jayson Tomasheski of JBT Theatrical Design in Lake Worth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayson Tomasheski.

Jayson, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
For over 20 years, I have been involved in the performing arts industry. My passion started when I was a senior in high school, and experienced my first taste of “backstage life.” You could find me pushing cases, running cable, and pretty much laying low to see how the real tech professionals executed their craft.

One day, the time came when I was asked to hang a light; and from then on I knew that lighting design is what I wanted to do. I wanted to be in an environment that had a beautiful mixture between art and engineering. (Although, I am not an engineer by any stretch of the imagination!)

I fell deeply in love with how so much mechanical movement has to take place in order to put on a show. Then small jobs became bigger ones, and the opportunities to grow kept coming. So, I kept practicing, watching, reading, and learning. Ultimately, this path lead me to become a Technical Director at a small theater in Boca. After being there for seven years, I became a resident lighting designer and Master Electrician at a venue in Delray Beach. Five years later, I continue to serve there today.

Throughout my career path, I have had some pretty incredible mentors to guide me, shape me, and exchange ideas and practices. I’ve been very blessed, to surround myself with knowledgeable professionals who have a wealth of expertise. The knowledge handed down to me is what continues to shape me as an artist and installer to this day.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The live entertainment business is a tough business no matter how skilled you are, or how long you have been doing it.

One of the largest struggles is the sacrifice of personal time. My industry is not built on a “9 to 5, Monday – Friday” model. When you work in entertainment, you work when everyone else is not working. This means that your weekends and holidays are usually spent away from your friends and family. When I am home from an event, I am usually in my office starting to work on the next project. My favorite time to program lighting for a production happens to be late at night when no one else is around. (It creates a peaceful space for me to be creative.) Obviously, this cuts into personal time with loved ones. Also, I commonly have to work around rehearsals and other departments that are involved with creating a production.

Another noteworthy challenge concerns the cost of technical equipment. To maintain a high level of quality in lighting design, you must invest in state of the art lighting instruments, tools, and software. Clients do not always understand the value of maintaining these expensive resources.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with JBT Theatrical Design – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
JBT Theatrical Design is a production company dedicated to providing theatrical solutions, of superior quality, through hard work and enthusiasm, concentrating on all elements of live production design.

We are not only designers, however! We also offer a multitude of other services from drafting and programming to event photography. (For example, if client has lighting that is not working properly or is need of an operator, then they are welcome to contact us.)

Past projects include set design and installation pieces for a local church, event design for festivals and car shows, and project management for technical or rigging systems in entertainment venues.

What sets my business apart from others is our network of industry professionals, which enables us to take on projects of any caliber and guarantee excellence.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our future plans are to expand on our business model and the core values that have given us the opportunities thus far. We are looking to expand our creativity into the world of architectural lighting, as I feel that is going to be the next frontier in design.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jbttheatricaldesign.com
• Phone: 561-261-4158
• Email: jbttheatricaldesign@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jbttheatricaldesign
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jbttheatricaldesign

Image Credit:
Julia Rose Andreasen

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