Meet André Allen | Lighting Designer & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with André Allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi André, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I went through every door that was open. I knew what my end goal was in the future, I could visually see it. I just didn’t know how to get there. I also was unaware of the obstacles ahead of me, the pitfalls, the pushback – but I could see the end. So I took every opportunity that I came across and here I am today still following the same ideals just in a more defined way.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am a professional lighting designer and I own a full in-house production studio and rental company. I design the lighting for live events, film and television. Through my art I am able to translate emotion into light. Unknown to many, my collegiate courses did not include lighting since Morehouse did not have any technical theater courses. I got my start in the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel and showed myself the ropes through trial and error lighting homecoming events, gospel concerts, and other special events. I believe that is what sets me apart from the others – I went through one door, completely ignorant to the skills and knowledge of all things lighting, and turned it into 33 years of an ongoing business that I cherish and love. Although this process has not been easy, I have appreciated each lesson and applied it to what was next for me every step of the way. The most important lesson I have learned is to be tenacious, be original, and to own your future and know you’re responsible for your own success. I hope to leave everyone with the knowledge that there is not one set path to success in life, I am well-known as a lighting designer but I am also a director, a writer, an entrepreneur, and if my heart desires to try something new then I’ll go for that as well. The opportunities are endless, it is just up to you to go after them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First and foremost, I would take my company to experience theatre at The Alliance in Downtown Atlanta or to the Southwest Arts Center in the City of South Fulton to view some of the local artists gallery. I’d follow up with a concert at the City Winery in Atlanta, and grab something to eat at one of the many delicious local restaurants – one of my favorites being Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint for some good old southern cuisine. For scenery or aesthetics, we’d visit Grant Park to take in the architecture and maybe do a stroll through the belt line to stop by some of the many shops and little galleries along the way.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mother, Rosabelle Allen. She was extremely supportive of my decisions and allowed me to think on my own. I did the opposite of everything she advised me to do and she stood with me through all of it. Even with my most profound decision being starting my business in my sophomore year of college at Morehouse. My mother has remained my biggest supporter.

Website: blacklightproductions.com

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