
ABOUT ME

My name is Ryan Peerless. I am second year BFA Lighting Design and Technology student at University of Cincinnati - College-Conservatory of Music.
I have spent the last few years working on as many productions as possible, exposing myself to a wide variety of venues, genres, and styles. Most recently, I was the Assistant Lighting Designer on Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's production of Wagner's The Flying Dutchman, and interned at ShowPro, where I served as a Lighting Design Intern. At CCM, I was the Assistant Lighting Designer on the Student Choreographers' Showcase. Last summer, I worked at The Carnegie as the Assistant Lighting Designer on Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
I approach lighting design as a medium to capture the emotional shifts, environment, and moments of change that occur in a script. I am drawn to naturalistic lighting grounded in the world of the show, while allowing select moments to stand out through bold color, isolations, or contrast. My work leans toward visual realism, with intentional departures that heighten the emotional aspects present in the story.
Color is central to my creative process. I begin with my key systems to establish the atmosphere, often centering a design around a specific color temperature and building upon it. I am especially interested in the power of adjustments along this spectrum, exploring how subtle shifts and intensity changes reshape a moment. My choices are always motivated by the story, creating an encompassing environment that supports the narrative and performance.
My process starts expansively and becomes more refined as a production evolves, stripping away elements until what remains is intentional, clear, and unifying. A lighting moment succeeds when the concept is honored and resonates with the entire creative team.
My lived experiences shape how I interpret stories and collaborate, offering grounded perspectives based on identity and observation. I draw significant inspiration from my Latin identity and culture, particularly in the intentionality and emotional depth of my work. Film and photography shape my sense of composition, while music and video games inform my understanding of rhythm and emotional pacing.
Lighting is the unifier of a production, transforming each creative element into a whole. When audiences encounter my work, I hope to elicit the same emotional response as a meaningful piece of art: creating moments or compositions that resonate on both a conscious and subconscious level.
