Meet the Alabama Native Tapped as Stage Designer for TWG 2022

By Barnett Wright

The Birmingham Occasions

Lyndell T. McDonald is prepared for the World stage.

McDonald, a Montgomery, Ala. native and assistant professor and technical supervisor on the College of Alabama, is the individual accountable for creating and facilitating staging and manufacturing props for the opening and shutting ceremonies for the World Video games 2022, which happen within the Birmingham metro space from July 7-17.

“I’m grateful to work with a workforce of devoted professionals and artists, to showcase our state to the world,” mentioned McDonald. “I developed my ardour for technical manufacturing and artwork by means of the tutorial {and professional} experiences that I’ve had on this state, and with the ability to create a stage for this occasion has been an honor of a lifetime.”

The World Video games is an 11-day worldwide multi-sport occasion organized with the help of the Worldwide Olympic Committee. An anticipated 3,600 elite athletes from over 100 international locations will compete for gold in additional than 30 sports activities.

Whereas rising up in Montgomery, Ala., McDonald attended Booker T. Washington Magnet Excessive Faculty, the place he started to study all points of technical manufacturing for stay performances.

A two-time graduate of The College of Alabama, he earned his bachelor of arts diploma and masters in effective arts diploma in design and technical manufacturing and has been employed by UA since 2005.

Along with his roles at UA, he’s additionally the proprietor of a lighting and manufacturing design firm, 2L7, LLC.

“It has been a pleasure working with Lyndell all through this course of,” mentioned Dr. Henry Panion, Creative Director for The World Video games Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony. “He’s remarkably gifted in all issues manufacturing and has performed a significant position in ensuring that every one parts of the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony come collectively.”

McDonald has designed a stage reflective of Alabama’s historical past whereas showcasing some it’s most proficient performers.

“As an educator I’m all the time trying to find methods to develop and study,” mentioned McDonald. “I’ve been engaged on productions, in some capability, for over 20 years and this expertise has pushed me as knowledgeable and as artist”.

The stage, designed by McDonald, was crafted to offer each performers and the viewers with a novel and memorable expertise. The ceremonies will likely be a as soon as in a lifetime expertise, not just for the artists who’re performing, but in addition for the viewers.

“Our aim was to carry producers and artists collectively to point out the world simply how a lot expertise is correct right here in Alabama,” says Rashada LeRoy, Govt Producer of The World Video games Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony. “Lyndell’s ardour for the humanities and expertise in producing world class occasions will assist make The World Video games expertise unforgettable for all in attendance.”

Performers on McDonald’s stage embody Lionel Richie, Yolanda Adams, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Bo Bice, Sara Evans, Taylor Hicks, Jamey Johnson, Nelly, Pastor Mike Jr., Martha Reeves, Sheila E., Ruben Studdard, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Price The Wait, Yung Bleu and extra.

Funk legend, Rock & Roll Corridor of Famer Bootsy Collins serving as Grasp of Ceremonies.

McDonald has labored for a number of corporations and organizations together with: The College of Alabama, Alabama State College, the Up to date Choreographers Collective (COCO) Dance Pageant in Trinidad and

Tobago, the American School Dance Affiliation, the Alabama Shakespeare Pageant, the American Ballet Theatre, the Up to date Choreographers Collective Dance Pageant, the American School Dance Affiliation, Theatre Tuscaloosa, Opera Birmingham, Birmingham Ballet, and the Alabama Undertaking. As well as, he’s a member of the IATSE native 78 stage union.

Tickets will be bought for each occasions at www.twg2022.com.