RECOMMENDATIONS

"Sasha is a godsend. I know I can hand over a script to her and she will come up with beautiful and poignant lighting designs that truly add a magical touch to whatever show we are doing. She is insightful, caring, and smart as a whip. I've worked with her on several occasions, in pressurized situations with time constraints, and her lighting is one element I never have to worry about. She helps tell the story in ways that audiences marvel at (and so do I). She is a delight, a professional, and has a calm confidence and gentle humor that works in any situation. Sasha goes above and beyond the call of duty with never a complaint. I highly recommend her."
~Johanna McKay, Director, Idyllwild Arts Summer Program

"...Actually, and this is not often said, one of the most impressive aspects of the play ["The Girl Who Would Be King"] was the lighting by Sasha A. Venola, which cast a professional glow on the entire production..."
~Joel Elkins, LA Theatre Review

"Should you be wondering whether or not you should hire Sasha Venola as a lighting designer, I would have to tell you to stop reading this letter, pick up the phone and get her name on a contract. Now.
In my quarter-century experience in the theatre I find that the majority of LDs have only one primary concern: is it lit? Which is fine, but they rarely go very much further. Ms. Venola, however, takes this idea to its artful conclusion and asks: is it the right kind of light for the play? What does the light say about this scene? What’s the tone? These things might seem to be obvious, but much like good directing, it’s harder to find someone with a real handle on it than one would think.
The work she did on my production of “The Country Wife” for Ark Theatre was nothing less than gorgeous. She took a limited lighting grid and used it to amazing effect, making the set glow like candles, then chill with moonlight, setting the feel of each scene. All this with a superb can-do attitude that was infectious.
So pick up your phone and snag Sasha Venola now before someone else gets her. Because I promise you someone will. "
~Richard Tatum, Associate Artistic Director, Ark Theatre Company

"Sasha worked in our graphics department on graphic design, graphic layout, and drafting for our press, premier, party's, and other events. I enjoyed working with her. She had a great attitude, and having her knowledge and help was immense."
~Andrew Wise, Production, Entertainment Lighting Services

“Sasha is great to work with and is an asset to any production. She is always looking to help out and is adaptable to the situations at hand. I think her design is interesting and unexpected and I think she would be an asset to any production team.”
~Jeff Davis, Technical Director and Resident Lighting Designer, Ark Theater Company

“I'm not on the faculty at UCI, but as the Supervisor of the Lighting Department at the School of the Arts, I often spend as much if not more time with the graduate students than the faculty. The time I spent working with Sasha was quite rewarding for me. Sasha is an intelligent, creative woman with an upbeat attitude. She learns quickly. She asks excellent questions, but more importantly knows when to ask them. I look fondly on my opportunity to work with Sasha, and I'm sure anyone in the position to do so in the future will do so as well. She will be an asset to any project she works on.”
~Ron Cargile, Lighting Supervisor, University of California, Irvine

“Sasha was my graduate student for three years and always showed good initiative and organization. Her design work was strong. Since graduate school she has actively pursued exciting lighting work.”
~Lonnie Alcaraz, Associate Professor of Lighting Design in the Drama Department, University of California, Irvine

“Sasha and I worked together on multiple shows and she could always be relied upon to have positive attitude and kind approach when dealing with coworkers and subordinates. Her artistic abilities are fantastic when it comes to the creative design process and I know that her graphic design and photography abilities are quite stunning.”
~Sara Broadhead, Student, University of California, Irvine

“Sasha was a very hard working student. She was very thorough and was a pleasure to work with.”
~Toby Weiner, Production Manager, University of California, Irvine