Joey Sadler
By Selina Setrakian
Well before founding Light + Dark , a lighting and production firm , and subsequently becoming its president and creative director , Joey Sadler needed to fill a course credit . Surely a high school theatre class would be a fun and easy way to an art credit , thought a teenage Sadler , unaware of the impact his decision would make . Soon enough , Sadler found himself being propelled further and further into the unfamiliar yet lively world of theatre , with technical production in particular compelling him .
“ We had a really great teacher and head of the drama program who quickly changed my opinion on theatre ,” explains Sadler . “ I found whenever I was in class , I was always gravitating towards lighting . He noticed that , and so , when it came time to pick a university , he suggested Ryerson ’ s technical production program and I went from there .”
For a handful of years after graduating Sadler worked on lighting for Princess Cruises . Eventually , feeling an interest in working on lighting design for touring bands , he packed his bags and headed for Toronto .
Over the course of six months , Sadler found his first touring band and set out on the road . Of the many he would subsequently work with during this time , the one he recalls the most fondly is Hey Rosetta !.
“ They happened to be one of my favorite bands so I approached them , offered my services for free on their first show in Toronto and said , ‘ If you like what I ’ m doing , we can work together ’. They ended up being my longest touring client ,” explains Sadler . “ When they decided to split , they did a series of final shows that were pretty special and very emotional . I ’ d never really been a part of something like that before , where the audience members are crying , the band members are having a great time , and people are singing and laughing . It was very special .”
More than anything , the experience further taught Sadler all the ways to prepare for the unknown . “ Oftentimes you arrive in venues that can ’ t support your gear , can ’ t fit all your equipment , or don ’ t have what you need . So , you need to make decisions day to day on what to cut , what to change , or where to put things ,” he explains .
Once Sadler had done practically every type of tour imaginable , from van to bus to club to arena , he decided to switch gears and start working more in the television and corporate world . This would prove to be incredibly beneficial , as through his time working for a variety of shows , the MuchMusic Video Awards , and other televised events , Sadler received a call that led him to his current lighting design job on Canada ’ s Drag Race .
In a time when work is incredibly scarce , the job is something of a blessing to Sadler . Since a majority of his work was in the live world , the pandemic struck hard forcing him to downsize his team . He attributes his survival career-wise during this difficult time as a result of the successful year he had prior to it .
Naturally , like everyone else in the industry , Sadler cannot wait for things to ease on clients and for work to pick up . “ I want the world to reopen . I want COVID to get under control . I want everyone to come
out of this , safe and healthy . Of course , we want business back and to get back out on the road and see our friends , our team , and our clients ,” says Sadler .
Of course , he still fears there are new trials to overcome in the coming months , as many in the roster of people he ’ d hired moved on to other industries during the pandemic and may not return .
Nonetheless , with a rich set of experiences already in his pocket , lighting horse shows , auto shows , television studios , corporate events , environmental installations , and even shooting a DVD with Shawn Mendes live at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles – it does not seem a stretch to say Sadler is more than well-equipped for whatever work comes his way .
For now , he ’ d like to support his clients and the industry through this rough patch in whatever way he can . As for his firm , he ’ s got his eye set on taking things even further and surpassing his previous success .
In the meantime , when Sadler ’ s off work he can be found spending time with his husband and their dog Buckley , a lab / rottweiler mix , alongside cooking , training in crossfit , and playing a bit of guitar .
Selina Setrakian is a freelance writer and former Editorial Assistant at Professional Lighting & Production .
Fall 2021 | 35