ASHTABULA —
While working for one of the nation’s premiere lighting and stage technologies companies, Vincent Lighting/MainStage of Cleveland, lighting specialist Tim Dorman has plenty of long days. He often travels 700 miles a day, and 18-hour days are common. Dorman covers Ohio north of Columbus, Pennsylvania to State College, northern West Virginia, and all of Michigan.
Closer to home, he works Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra; the Terminal Tower; the ‘Q,’ home of the Cavaliers; much of Playhouse Square; Cedar Point’s Tower of Power; and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Despite his grueling schedule, Dorman still finds time and energy to provide cutting-edge lighting and stage technology to Ashtabula and Lake counties through his own company, Dorman Digital Arts. A question worth asking is how? And why? It’s clearly a labor of love.
“I do a lot of this stuff because I like to,” Dorman said. “And there’s no one else around here doing it.”
Dorman said he found a niche for Dorman Digital Arts here because local people find it affordable. Many local schools and community theatres just don’t have the budgets to go with a big theatrical lighting company. He meets the need by creating his own digital technology, and the results are incredible.
“I wrote my first code for controlling lights by adapting music software 16 years ago,” he said. “Since then I’ve done some pretty amazing things adapting inexpensive software.”
Not only does he adapt and convert software, he builds stagecraft works of art out of anything, even scrap metal and old machines. The changing illuminated jukebox he created for the Ashtabula Arts Center’s production of “All Shook Up” was built from things he found in his garage. It’s impossible to tell that it is not a $5,000 item.
“Necessity is the mother of invention,” Dorman said. “Especially for Dorman Digital Arts. I’m forced to be creative.”
Dorman is creative, and his work ethic strong. He does only architectural exterior lighting for Vincent Lighting/MainStage, but for Dorman Digital Arts, he does everything for digital stage lighting and theatrical props. His clients include the Ashtabula Arts Center, the Fairport Dance Academy, Edgewood Senior High School and the Ashtabula County Engineer’s Bascule lift bridge, among others. He shoots and edits professional video, builds high-quality stage and lighting equipment and creates preprogrammed light shows.
“Because dousers (black out devices for projectors) were so expensive, I built my own,” he said. “I handmade the electronic marquee signs for the Ashtabula Arts Center’s production of “Hairspray” and “All Shook Up,” and did the preprogrammed light shows for the Bascule Bridge.”
In his day job for Vincent Lighting/MainStage, Dorman is studying hard for a stage certification exam through the Entertainment Technician Certification program. But in the long years he’s worked as a student journeyman for the Youngstown and Cleveland Agora stages, he’s already learned enough to impress local audiences and while pleasing directors with professional-quality technology they can afford.
Also a musician, singer and songwriter, Dorman’s work can be experienced at www.timdorman.com. Dorman’s digital stage technology will be featured in Edgewood Senior High School’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
The show is 7 p.m. March 1; 2 and 7 p.m. March 2; and 2 p.m. March 3 at Edgewood Senior High, 2428 Blake Road, Ashtabula Township.
Local News
Related Photos
-
WARREN DILLAWAY / Star Beacon TIM DORMAN does a lot of lighting work for plays at Edgewood High School and the Ashtabula Arts Center.
Discussion
Tim Dorman finds niche for digital arts in Ashtabula County
- Local News
-
-
Local group proposes charter form of Ashtabula County government
County government could see a big change if a local group is successful in getting a proposed charter form of government on the November ballot.
-
Black bear takes a stroll on Ashtabula street
“Once upon a time, there were three bears ...”
-
Happy ending in Cleveland gives hope to Ashtabula County people seeking missing loved ones
The amazing rescue of three Cleveland women held captive for 10 years is proof one can never stop searching for a missing person, local law enforcement officials said.
-
Kingsville Public Library creative writing class honors Suzanne Byerley at reading
Chuck Becker’s voice was strong and clear as he read the words of his dear friend Suzanne Hartman Byerley.
-
Conneaut’s two museums ready for holiday openings
Conneaut’s two historical museums are ready to reopen this holiday weekend, a sure sign of summer’s arrival.
-
GOTL tourist, author to sign books Saturday
With a hot dog in one hand and a pen in the other, tourist turned author Wendy Koile will sign copies of her historical reference “Geneva-on-the-Lake: A History of Ohio’s First Summer Resort” at Eddie’s Grill on Saturday.
-
GOTL to host monster carnival starting this evening
Geneva Township Park will benefit from a monster of a carnival this weekend, complete with bands, rides and food.
-
Ashtabula County commissioners award local firm bid for Harpersfield booster station project
A local firm was awarded the bid for the Harpersfield Township booster station project, Tuesday.
-
Jefferson hires new leader for schools
The Jefferson Area Local School District completed its search for a superintendent Tuesday, hiring one of its own to lead the district.
-
Ashtabula County gets a new logo
The Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau has been working for the past year on developing a brand for the county, and Wednesday, that brand was revealed.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Local group proposes charter form of Ashtabula County government
