Ari is a lighting designer, programmer, and assistant from Ypsilanti, Michigan, with six years of design experience.

They have been a student at Wayne State University since 2022, and have fallen in love with the culture, art, and uniqueness of Detroit. Expected to graduate in 2026, they are focused on building connections near the city and expanding their work in Detroit’s live entertainment industry, with aspirations to design for nightclubs, music events and larger productions across the country.

Ari has designed shows and rentals at Wayne State, The Inspired Acting Company, Rochester Adams High School and Northville High School. They are currently a lighting designer and technician for Dearborn’s Michael A. Guido Theater, Detroit Public Theatre, and Rochester Community Schools.

They have also worked for WSU’s own theatre for 3 years and have been an electrician and assistant at various venues around Metro Detroit, such as The Detroit Public Theatre, The Purple Rose Theatre, The Encore Theatre, Oakland Community College, The Detroit School of Arts, and for 4WALL Detroit.

They are most eager to light productions that contain music, and enjoy lighting for dance, musicals, and busking live events. They enjoy finding creative ways of implementing color to paint contrast onstage and highlight the emotional story that is being performed. They are interested in working with artists who prioritize collaboration, empathy, and imaginative thinking.

Aside from lighting design, Ari is a skilled baker, barista, photographer and painter. In their free time, they like to learn about local and distant cultures, as well as explore the natural environment and neighborhoods around them. They also enjoy playing video games like Valorant and Legend of Zelda and listening to energetic genres of music like industrial rock, techno, and K-pop.

They also like to rehabilitate betta fish and have a 16-year-old border collie named Mocha.