Bandit Lites Welcomes New Integration Lighting Technicians Austin Hall & Tyler Ransdell
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Bandit Lites is pleased to announce the addition of Austin Hall and Tyler Ransdell as Integration Lighting Technicians at its Knoxville location.
Both Hall and Ransdell bring diverse backgrounds in live entertainment, theatrical production and systems integration to Bandit Lites’ Integration Department, where they will contribute their technical expertise while continuing to expand their skills through large-scale entertainment projects.
Hall’s journey into the entertainment industry began at just 14 years old during his freshman year at Muscle Shoals High School, where he discovered a passion for the theatrical side of live entertainment. During his junior year, he began working as a technician for the company providing production services to the school, gaining his first hands-on experience behind the scenes and developing the technical foundation that would shape his career.
After graduating in 2020, Hall continued building his experience and industry relationships, including through a friendship and mentorship with Technical Director John Jackson of Florence High School. Following the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned to the industry in 2021 when he joined Sutherland Sight and Sound. During nearly four years with the company, Hall gained experience across multiple areas of production, including systems integration and live production, while working with a variety of artists and regional events.
In 2025, Hall and his wife relocated to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where they both joined Dolly Parton’s Stampede for the season. Hall served as a Lighting Technician, gaining additional experience in large-scale theatrical production. Following the season, Hall began looking for an opportunity that would allow him to continue growing in the industry while expanding his experience in systems integration.
That search ultimately led him to Bandit Lites after connections within the industry introduced him to Chris Barbee.
“What initially attracted me to Bandit Lites was the company’s strong reputation and the respect it has earned throughout the live entertainment industry,” said Hall. “Having worked in different areas of production, I understood the significance of Bandit’s role in the industry and the quality of work the company is known for.”
As an Integration Lighting Technician, Hall will bring his experience in theatrical lighting, live production, systems integration and technical production to Bandit Lites’ Knoxville Integration Department.
“What excites me most about joining the team full-time is the opportunity to continue growing within the industry, expand my knowledge and technical skills, and learn from the experienced professionals at Bandit Lites,” Hall explained. “I’m excited to bring the experience I’ve gained throughout my career while continuing to develop and take on new challenges as part of the Bandit team.”
Ransdell brings a similarly diverse technical background to the Integration Department. His introduction to the entertainment industry began in seventh grade when he discovered theater, eventually earning a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Northern Kentucky University.
Following college, Ransdell spent four years working in rental and production before transitioning into systems integration, where he spent the next five years developing his technical expertise. His experience across both production and integration provides him with a well-rounded understanding of the technical demands involved in bringing entertainment systems from concept to execution.
“I’m excited about getting to work on fun and unique large-scale projects with a team of people dedicated to the industry,” said Ransdell. “I’m also looking forward to meeting and collaborating with clients and other disciplines.”
Outside of his professional work, Ransdell continues to explore a wide range of technical disciplines, including 3D printing and modeling, coding, PCB design, welding and fabrication.
For both Hall and Ransdell, Bandit Lites’ commitment to its employees was an important factor in joining the company. Hall noted that the combination of health coverage, an 8% 401(k) match, paid time off, holidays and other programs demonstrates Bandit’s investment in its employees both professionally and personally.
“For me, having that kind of support and stability is especially valuable in an industry that can require a lot of travel and flexibility,” said Hall. “It gives me confidence that Bandit is focused not only on the work we do, but also on taking care of the people who make that work possible.”
With backgrounds spanning theatrical production, live events, rental, systems integration and technical production, Hall and Ransdell bring complementary skill sets to Bandit Lites’ growing Integration team. Their combined experience will support the company’s continued commitment to delivering innovative, reliable and technically sophisticated entertainment systems for clients around the world.