KNOXVILLE, TN – More than 5,250 graduates celebrated commencement at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville under a lighting system donated from Bandit Lites. The ceremonies took place over three days at Thompson-Boling Arena and consisted of graduates from 45 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico and 23 countries.
Bandit donated a flown truss lighting system that included motors, trussing, lights, and draping. The system featured 140 fixtures including Vari-Lite 3000 Spots, GRNLite LED moving head washes, Chauvet ColorDash Batten Quad-12, Chauvet ColorDash Blocks and Thomas 9-lite DWE moles.
“As a graduate of UT, as well as serving on multiple boards for many years, it is an honor and pleasure to give back and turn this proud day into a great experience.” says Bandit Chair Michael T. Strickland. “The best and the brightest walk across that stage and take their place as the next generation of leaders in our world!”
VL 3000 Spots illuminated the sign language interpreter, announcer, and orchestra while the remaining ones projected the Power-T and gobo patters along Bandit’s white Spandex backdrop. Bandit’s GRNLite moving washes supplied the upstage, downstage and ramp washes.
“This year, we added more to cover extra areas where the graduates wait to have their name called on camera; streaming live to video screens in the arena,” said Bandit Lites Project Manager Giff Swart.
ColorDash Battens were used to up-light draping while the ColorDash Blocks were used to up-light on stage greenery. Thomas 9-lite DWE moles were hung on the US and DS trusses to help illuminate the graduates seated on the arena floor.