Live Design

Live Design is a monthly digital trade magazine, owned by Penton, that covers the latest projects and gear in live entertainment, including theatre, film, concerts, opera, ballet, architainment, and more. It originated as Lighting Dimensions, which combined with Theatre Crafts. Until December 2013, it was a print magazine, but has since converted to a free app with monthly issues for Apple and Android devices.Live Design is geared towards aspiring and established designers in the disciplines of lighting, audio, projection, and scenery. The magazine also manages its own website.Live Design is affiliated with the LDI trade show, and hosts the Live Design Master Classes and Envision Symposium.

In March 1967, the first issue of Theatre Crafts was published by Emmaus, PA-based Rodale Press, which was owned by J. I. Rodale. Marshall Ackerman was Theatre Crafts’ first publisher. The magazine focused on news of theatre design and its technology. Theatre Crafts began with a free circulation to high school and college drama instructors. Geared towards the offstage performers, the magazine featured “how-to” articles from theatre designers of costumes, lighting, sets, and more.

In 1969, C. Ray Smith became the editor for Theatre Crafts and shaped it into a more professional magazine for the theatre industry. In January 1970, Patricia MacKay joined the editors. Theatre Crafts grew from strictly theatre, to covering film, concerts, theme parks, retail shops, television, opera, and architecture.

In June 1977, Theatre Crafts’ sister publication, Lighting Dimensions released its first issue. The magazine focused on lighting and design in concerts, theatre, film, and architecture.

Patricia MacKay bought Theatre Crafts from Rodale Publishing in 1982. Theatre Crafts then acquired Lighting Dimensions in February 1986.

MacKay organized a trade show for the entertainment industry called LDI. It made its debut in Dallas, Texas in 1988 with over a hundred exhibitors and 3,000 attendees. It has run each year ever since.

On its 25th anniversary in 1992, Theatre Crafts became TCI to include international coverage, and also redesigned to tablet size.

In January 1996, Intertec Publishing of Overland Park, KS, which eventually became Penton after numerous transitions, acquired TCI, Lighting Dimensions, and LDI.

Eventually, TCI became Entertainment Design. Entertainment Design and Lighting Dimensions were merged into Live Design in December 2005.

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