| Luc Lafortune | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 1958 Montreal |
| Nationality | Canada |
| Field | Lighting design |
| Website | http://www.luclafortune.com |
Luc Lafortune (born September 1958 in Montreal, Canada) is an award-winning lighting designer for the entertainment industry as well as one of the original designers of the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil. He works in both conceptual and technical development, having collaborated with the likes of Franco Dragone and Mark Fisher.
Luc Lafortune studied at Dawson College, and then McGill University, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in Arts. He later obtained a second bachelor's degree, in Fine Arts, this one however from Concordia University, under the tutelage of Don Childs, who now chairs the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas.
Upon graduation, he went to work for Cirque du Soleil, embarking on their first tour, Le Grand Tour, a 13-week stint across rural Quebec, which was organized in conjunction with the celebrations marking the 450th anniversary of the discovery of Canada by French explorer, Jacques Cartier. Since then, Lafortune has designed numerous Cirque du Soleil shows. His résumé includes the shows Le Cirque Réinventé (We Reinvent the Circus), Fascination, Nouvelle Expérience, Saltimbanco, Mystère, Alegría, Quidam, O, La Nouba, Dralion, Varekai (co-designer), Zumanity and Kà.
Many internationally successful artists have also called upon his talents. He has worked with No Doubt, The Eagles, Gypsy Kings, and The Dixie Chicks. In 2002, he worked with Peter Gabriel, designing the lighting for his world tour entitled Growing Up.
In recent years, Lafortune has consulted for companies such as Dentsu Incorporated of Japan, one of the largest advertising agency brands in the world, as well as The Boeing Company, in Seattle, Washington. He is also a sought-after speaker and sits on the Board of Directors of the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas.
Luc Lafortune has won numerous awards for his work. In 1992, his design for the show Saltimbanco earned him a Drama-Logue Award. In 1994, he received the Lighting Dimensions International (LDI) Lighting Designer of the Year Award. In 1997, his work alongside Michael Keeling on Martin Professionals' The Atomic Lounge won the LDI Award for Best Light Show. In 1998, he received an EDDY Entertainment Design Award for his lighting design for the show O, as well as a THEA (Themed Entertainment Association) Award, in 1999. In 2004, his name appeared on the list of “50 People of Influence in the Entertainment Industry”, as compiled by Live Design Magazine. And in 2005, he was honored with the USITT (United States Institute of Theatre Technology) Distinguished Achievement Award in Lighting Design.