UNCSA Lighting Design and Technology

Our last senior Spotlight is Aidan Piontak!

Aidan Piontak is a lighting technician and programmer from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He will be the Production Electrician for Cyrano De Bergerac, with past credits at UNCSA including A Little Night Music, Ballymore, Man of La Mancha, Frankie and Johnny at the Claire De Lune, The Nutcracker ‘21, and The Wild Party, as well as being a co-Production Electrician for Photona: Reflections.

Outside of UNCSA, he has worked as the Assistant Lighting Supervisor for The Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, and as an R&D Product Assurance Intern at Electronic Theatre Controls.

After graduation, he plans on pursuing a career as a technician for live events and touring.

Next up, we have Lexi Roth!

Lexi Roth (she/they/he) is a lighting designer from Los Angeles, California with a focus in lighting theatrical events. Their past work at UNCSA includes: A Little Night Music (Lighting Designer), Fefu and Her Friends (LD), The Last Five Years (LD), Ballymore (Assoc. LD), Twelfth Night (Assistant LD), and Director’s Festival 2023 (LD). In the Spring, they will be assisting on The Moors and designing The Revolutionists.

After graduation, they hope to move to New York and start working with upcoming writers/directors on developing new theatre pieces in smaller venues. She also hopes to assist and learn from current lighting designers to further expand her understanding of lighting as an art form.

Our next Senior Spotlight is Jade Caric!

Jade Caric is a lighting designer from Wilmington, NC. She is currently designing Cyrano de Burgerac and was a plot developer on this years Photona. Her past design work at UNCSA includes Frankie and Johnny in the Clair De Lune, Spring Dance, and Fall Dance. This past summer she was an intern at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. She enjoys working in all kinds of live entertainment but hopes to pursue design work in concerts or themed entertainment after graduation. She would like to thank all her friends, family, and faculty for all their support.

Next up, we have Sarai Powers!

Sarai is a lighting designer and programmer from Dallas, Texas. She is the Production Manager for this year’s Photona Reflections, following her role as Assistant Production Manager in Photona Vision 2024. Some of her recent and upcoming works include Choir Boy (Lighting Designer), Les Belles Souers (Lighting Designer), Winter Dance 2026 (Lighting Designer), Moors (Programmer), and Fall Opera Scenes (Programmer). Sarai spent this past summer working for the Spoleto Festival as a member of their Special Projects electrics team. She has also been hired by the Dallas Theater Center for a number of shows as an electrician and spotlight operator.

After graduation, Sarai hopes to join a tour as an electrician or spotlight operator. She enjoys all aspects of lighting design and technology and wishes to explore all areas throughout her career. She would like to thank her family, friends, and all current and past mentors for believing in her and pushing her to achieve her goals.

Our next Senior Spotlight is George Janikula!

George is a lighting technician from Waverly, Minnesota specializing in live events and system integration. He is the co-Production Electrician for Photona Reflections. Past work at UNCSA includes: Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue (Production Electrician); Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Production Electrician); Die Fledermaus (Programmer). Outside of UNCSA George has served as the Head Electrician at Maine State Music Theatre, Integration Specialist Intern at Bandit Lites, and Lighting Intern at Gopher Stage Lighting.

After graduation George hopes to find opportunities in system integration and touring. He is thankful for the support of his family, instructors, classmates, and is excited for what is to come.

Next up, we have Noah Welby!

Noah is a lighting designer and programmer specializing in live events and theater. He is the lighting designer for Idomeneo (Winter Opera 2026), and is a Lighting Designer and Plot Developer for this year’s Photona. Past work at UNCSA includes: A Little Night Music (Programmer); “night-light” (Fall Dance 2025, Lighting Designer); Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Lighting Designer); Spring Dance 2025 (Programmer); Coppélia Suite (Winter Dance 2025, Lighting Designer); The Wild Party (Associate Lighting Designer); Fairview (Programmer). Additionally, Noah has served as Lead Venue Electrician at the Spoleto Festival’s Cistern Yard, and is currently designing lighting and projections for Opera Neo in San Diego.

After graduation, Noah hopes to assist and learn from other lighting designers in opera, dance, and musical theater. He is consistently looking for new opportunities to deepen his skills by combining his own discoveries and interests with the wisdom of others in the field.

More at noahwelbylighting.com.

Our next Senior Spotlight is Abigail Bouck!

Abigail (Abby) Bouck (She/Her) if from Traverse City, Michigan, and has a primary focus in Lighting Design. Her recent shows include Elliot a Soldiers Fugue and The Nutcracker. She is now starting on her design for Of Sorcery & Songbirds and assisting Amith Chadrashaker for Playmakers Macbeth. She is excited to have the opportunity to work with a well know Lighting Designer and do her last design for the school. After graduation, she hopes to move to New York City to continue her journey in designing and assisting for Theatre, Opera and Film. She would like to thank her parents and sister for always supporting her and being there for her when things were hard. She would also like to that all the lighting mentors she has had throughout her whole education.

Our first Senior Spotlight! Cameron Toler.

Cameron Toler is a lighting programmer and electrician from Wilmington, NC. His recent and upcoming Production Electrician work include Les Belles Sœurs, Choir Boy, and Idomeneo. Following graduation, he hopes to to join a tour as an electrician and followspot operator. Cameron extends his wholehearted gratitude to his friends and family for their constant and unwavering love and support.

Meet Emily Stanton! She is a first year lighting student from Charlotte, North Carolina. Check out some of her past work above and get to know her a bit more below.

Q: What do you hope to do after graduating?
A: I hope to continue to get to work with so many amazing people in this industry!

Q: What is your favorite thing about UNCSA so far?
A: I love that I get the chance to work with so many talented people who are all so driven to create new and impressive pieces of theatre!

Meet Delara Jameh! She is a first year lighting student from Dallas, Texas. See some of her previous work above, and learn more about her below.

Q: What do you plan to do after you graduate?
A: I hope to either go on tour with a band or theatrical production and movie to New York, and later on open my own experimental theatre company.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about UNCSA so far?
A: Being able to be with people who who challenge me to be the best version of myself.

Meet Remus Johnson, a first year lighting student from Raleigh, North Carolina! See below to learn more about him.

Q: What do you hope to do after you graduate?
A: I hope to continue working in the theater industry, primarily as a programmer or designer. That being said, I enjoy all aspects of lighting and just hope to continue working in this field!

Q: What is your favorite part about going to UNCSA?
A: My favorite part of UNCSA so far has been being involved with a variety of productions at all times. Being in all the different theaters has been a great experience and I’m excited to continue working and learning as I go!