weR BRIGHT

Where I Started

As a member of RPI's school spirit club, weR, in my sophomore year, I was chosen to direct the tree lighting ceremony, weR BRIGHT. I had exactly one month before the event.
That year, the President of the school announced that she'd like to feature the event as her kick off to the school's 200th Year celebration.

What I Did

Conceived and proposed a more ambitious, show-style event, and pitched it to the club, the maintenance staff, and the Office of the President of RPI for approval.
Recruited talent to work through the technical aspects.
Chose a soundtrack.
Worked with the Office of the President, and the Alumni Office which was directly supervising the project.
- For example, I talked with representatives from the President's Office to choose a viewing area for the audience.
Organized work parties to hang the lights and prepare the show area.
Worked with the maintenance staff to arrange for power, equipment, and yes, briefly shutting off most of the lights on the academic quad.
Started my own advertising campaign to bolster the club's existing work.
Many other details, like waterproofing, safety preparations (such as cord and electricity considerations), and meetings.

All in all, there was not a single day of that month when I did not work on this project. It was probably the most exhausting one I did at RPI for that reason, but it was extremely rewarding and paved the way for future shows.

Impact

Despite having to make compromises with my technical team and the beauracracy of the school, I was able to keep the essence of the original vision intact.
My tech advisers, club, and I were able to provide a 5 minute dancing light show for roughly four hundred people at the event.
The President, my club, and many other members of the RPI community were very pleased with the outcome.
The Student Union later contacted me to direct their 125th Anniversary Show based off of my work on weR BRIGHT.