Tess Falcone is a freelance production and lighting designer, programmer, and operator, based out of Denver, Colorado. She went to college for biology and minored in theater, where she spent a lot of time working in the scene shop.
Though she loved working with animals after her graduation in 2010, she went to some concerts where she met a few industry professionals who taught her the ropes in lighting. She was hooked, and has been touring ever since. After finishing up an arena tour with Weezer (co-designed by Tess and Dan Hadley) this summer, she will be heading out on tour as lighting designer for Jimmy Eat World (also co-designed with Hadley) and Ben Folds later on in the summer months.
Check out more at www.tessfalcone.com and on instagram @tessfalcone. 

Favorite concert or live show you’ve attended as a fan (not for work)?
I've probably made it too public about how much I love Justin Timberlake's light show, but it is always second to none. The 20/20 Experience tour was phenomenal and easily the best light show I've ever seen. Every time I see the new thing they've come up with, I'm so impressed. They had Tait make growing grass this last tour!

Is there anything you try to do every off day?
On a typical day off, I try to run. Then find some good, hipster coffee from guys with ironic mustaches. Then find an art museum. I like to get out and see the cities I'm in, and having a destination really helps give my walks a bit of purpose.

What are one to three work-related tool(s) you can’t do without? (Computer, gear, tool, phone app, etc.)?
Steven Smith tea to keep me rarin' to go through long, overnight programming sessions. My MacBook Pro for all of my Vectorworks-ing (and iMessage to complain to all of my friends about the subsequent frustrations with Vectorworks). And when I'm on a grandMA2, a Bobino magnet pen! I take so many notes during shows and I love having a pen at the ready at all times. I also have started to keep a Nerf dart gun in my workbox in case I need to get that tall guy to stop standing right in front of me for the whole show...

Are there any standard industry practices that you’d like to change?
Only because I just had something happen, so it’s fresh in my mind... industry-wide misogyny and ridiculously inappropriate comments are some of the most frustrating things to me. There is this lack of accountability in our industry where crewmembers get in trouble for being terrible people, or for not doing their jobs, or some combination of the two. And they still get hired for more gigs. As women, we see and hear some of these horrible comments, and we don’t say anything because we don’t want to be “the problem”. It is remarkably disheartening, and it would be fantastic if the people in positions of power would not allow these things to go unchecked.

Since you began working in this industry are there any concepts or practices you’ve implemented that have had a positive impact on your work (reduced stress, saved time, etc.)?
When I first started working in this industry I had this idea that *I* was the professional and that *I* was hired to make sure that the lights were on point. I didn't listen to feedback and I was a veritable know-it-all. This attitude was SO detrimental to my work, and my life. And the best part, looking back now, is how much of a dummy I was back then! You can learn things from everyone- even if it is how not to do something. Some of the work I am most proud of has been done while working with other people. Now I try to pay attention to everyone else around me, and how they're doing things, to see if I can do things in other ways, or be a better co-worker and collaborator.

Where do you see the industry going in the next 5-8 years?
Bigger and brighter, baby! Technology changes so rapidly, so I know the brains behind all of it will be trying to completely change our world and our daily lives. But at the end of the day, in lighting at least, there are always some things that I doubt will change: the brighter the show, the darker the blackout. Sometimes it's more fun to see how the two play together with all of the shifting technology than it is to just have to put your sunglasses on to be able to endure a show!

What ruins your day at a show?
Unprofessionalism, people not giving 100%, and touring crew being rude to local stagehands.

What improves your day at a show?
Positive attitudes, good catering, and puppies!

Our industry isn’t as glamorous as often perceived. What continues to motivate you to work such long hours and be away from home for extended periods of time?
Gosh, I love this job. I love the sense of teamwork and camaraderie that exists in our industry. I love to travel. I love music. And I love running lights. Beautiful, well-timed cues just get me going. I love the art of it. I also adore some of the people who work in our industry! I'm proud to be on the same team as them and call them my friends.

How do you stay connected to home while away (or do you)?
I'm not as good about keeping in touch as I'd like to be, but I get some good use out of FaceTime, and I text a lot... I try to do a reasonable amount of social media-ing as well, so that my friends and family can feel like they're not as disconnected from me as I know it can be when I'm gone for months at a time. Facebook can be really awful... but I'm sure glad to be able to use it to keep in touch with people over large distances!

What's the most important thing in your suitcase?
It's not in my suitcase, but the soccer ball in my FOH workbox is pretty clutch. Whenever I am having a more trying day, I will take it out and kick around. It can make any day so much better, and it's great for bonding with other crew who are just hanging around.