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FDA News

We are always working on new projects and trying to support the field in a variety of ways, and some of our completed work finds itself in the news. These are the latest stories.

A Beacon of Remembrance in the New York City sky

This year, on September 11th, as we prepare to look up in New York City for the beams of light that represent the Twin Towers, we can’t help but reflect and draw on the parallels of our own recent loss of acclaimed lighting designer Paul Marantz. This will be the first Tribute in Light our FMS and FDA teams will experience without Paul. Today, on a deeply personal level, we share in the feeling of loss along with many others in New York today.

Remembering Paul Marantz

Photo Credit: Ron Colbroth

Although our hearts are heavy, we celebrate the life of Paul Marantz — a man whose light, both literal and metaphorical, brightened every corner it touched. From the moment he first flicked a switch in a marionette workshop at age ten, Paul’s boundless curiosity and playful spirit set him on a path to transform how we experience the world around us. By eleven, he had already fashioned a miniature theater with working lights and dimmers; in his teens, he brought modern dance recitals to life with his talent for illumination. At Oberlin College, and later through graduate work at Case Western Reserve University and Brooklyn College, he honed his craft, always driven by wonder and a desire to evoke emotion through light.

Meet FDA’s new Head of Stage Rigging and Automation, Scott Madaski

Josh, Joe, Bob, Peter, Cathy, and the entire team at FDA are delighted to announce the promotion of Scott Madaski (Associate) to the Head of FDA’s Stage Rigging and Automation Department.

Building the Future: Performance Spaces

We took great pleasure in coming together with the rest of the global performing arts community for the ISPA | International Society for the Performing Arts conference. It truly was an impactful and moving experience.
Joshua Dachs offer up some salient ideas about the future of performance and performing arts venues. He was joined on the panel by Liv Aira of Jillat Sami Dance Center, Sybil Wa of Diamond Schmitt, and Todd Hensley was the moderator.

Video Thumbnail - Revolution or Evolution featuring Joshua Dachs

Revolution or Evolution | Theater Design featuring Joshua Dachs

Theater Consultant Joshua Dachs of Fisher Dachs Associates traces the historical development of theatre and asks the question, are these developments revolutionary or evolutionary.

Pictured (Left to Right): Zachary Schmitt (FDA), Robert Campbell (FDA), Laura Wagner (FDA)

Performance and Presentation Spaces: Architecture & Design Mid-Year Review

We’ve had a busy year so far here at Fisher Dachs Associates, and while we’d like to tell you every single thing we’ve done (because it’s awesome), here are just a select few for your quick consumption.

The Women Who Build Our World – Celebrating Women’s History Month

When we celebrate Women’s History Month, we recognize the accomplishments and advancements of women in our society throughout centuries of injurious adversity in the face of structural and systemic setbacks, inequality, and injustice.

Illustration of Chita Rivera, Graciela Daniele, and Jules Fisher

“Looking back doesn’t have to be painful” — Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera was more than just a star on stage, she was a force of nature who brought joy, beauty, and power to every performance. She was a master of expression, a visionary of creativity, and a champion of diversity. Most importantly, she was a dear friend to both Jules Fisher and Graciela Daniele.

Building the Future, Rooted in the Past — Afrofuturism in the Built Environment

Picture a skyscraper, a marvel of modern engineering, soaring upwards. Its gleaming facade and intricate network of beams and trusses might lead you to believe it rose from the ground in an instant, a testament to human ingenuity. But the truth, like the building’s foundation, lies unseen. Beneath the surface lies a complex history, a network of interconnected layers – bedrock, concrete, steel – each crucial in supporting the structure’s present and determining its future potential.

2023-2024 Cultural and Performing Arts Insights

We often like to reflect on the past 12 months of achievements, innovations, and the state of design for cultural and performing arts venues. These insights reflect the changing needs and preferences of the artists, audiences, venue managers and operators, as well as the observations of those of us in the industry tasked with conceiving and developing these beautiful spaces.

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