Butch Allen, the award-winning industry professional, recently joined TAIT, the global group of designers, fabricators, engineers, and innovators for live and location-based experiences, as Vice President, Global Project Development. Over the last thirty years, Allen has worked with Jennifer Lopez, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Dancing with the Stars Live, America’s Got Talent Live, Ozzy Osbourne, and Black Sabbath. His recent collaborations with TAIT have been on projects with Tears for Fears, New Kids on the Block and Eric Church.
When his appointment was announced, Butch Allen said, “Working alongside my TAIT colleagues all these years I’ve learned that we share a mutual passion for pushing the envelope of what one can do with storytelling in the real world. TAIT’s unique skill sets and proficiency in working with the top talent set us apart, so we can solve problems in a way that no one else can.”
Allen spoke to Live Design about his career in the industry, what he wants young people entering the industry to know, and where he hopes the industry is going.
Live Design: How did you get involved in this industry in the first place?
Butch Allen: I grew up next door to the now-demolished Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in New York. Seeing the buses and trucks lined up outside our apartment window was a fascination and an obsession. I found my way to the technical theater department at SUNY Fredonia then fell into the roaring club band scene in western NY. It was truly back of the truck to front of house. My first jobs were all as an LD, which is not as glamorous as it sounds. Back then LD was an acronym for “lights and drums.”
LD: You have worked with some of the biggest live performers in the US. What are some of your favorite projects?
BA: Each project holds a place in your heart. I continue to look at my career like a garden full of different types of flowers. All beautiful. All special in their own way. My fondest memories are the people I’ve met, collaborated with, and toured with who are now all part of a giant global family.
LD: Why are you leaving design work now? Was there a specific event that inspired you to change course?
BA: I had time to think about my future during our long shut down. Ruminate obsessively is more accurate, to be honest. For the first time in years, I had time to think about where I had been, where I wanted to go, what was important to me, and continue the search for how I best can contribute to the industry that has brought so much joy to my life.
Being offered an opportunity to be part of the team at TAIT is a chance to start dreaming of new things, having a fresh perspective, and sharing my experience in an extremely creative environment. I’ve been so fortunate. Everyone dreams, and I’m gobsmacked that my dreams continue to come true. I’m so excited and grateful.
LD: What are you most excited about in your new role?
That’s not an easy question at all. There’s so much to be excited about.
- Having my eyes opened and seeing the wide world of projects that the TAIT Group serves. I am thrilled to play a small role in what it takes to create the moments that move people across the globe that we are privileged to contribute to.
- Being introduced to, and working with, the amazing people who make up TAIT, productionglue, Thinkwell, ITECEntertainment, and Kinesys is simply an honor.
Side note/Confession: After years of considering myself a wealth of knowledge and experience, I’m now humbled by the truth. The truth being that I have so much more to learn. Luckily my new colleagues are so knowledgeable, dedicated, committed to their craft, and without hesitation share their deep experience with me. Inspired by that, I now have new goals: to hone my abilities; appreciate the integrity, which is the base that supports this mighty tree; and incorporate benevolence as I wander through this journey.
LD: What advice would you give to people joining the industry now?
BA: This reads like some infomercial inspirational banner junk ad-I know-but bear with me. Our industry is experiencing a generational change across all disciplines. The time to dedicate, commit, and engage is now - doors are open now. Reach out and grasp this moment.
By no means did I start my career designing shows. I started in the back of a truck with my friend Jimbo Neal. From the back of that truck, we met the best production managers, tour managers, designers, and technical crews who graciously took the time to encourage and teach us. I cannot stress this enough: be inquisitive, understand how important it is to contribute positively, chuck your predispositions out the window, and get ready to live the dream.
LD: What is the biggest change you have seen in the industry since you began?
BA: Long needed and some very welcome diversity to our teams. There is a long way to go, but you can clearly see the future unfolding in real time.
LD: Where do you think the industry is headed?
- Without question our industry is beginning to laser focus on sustainability. Our industry's impact on the environment is an obvious and primary challenge. Post pandemic I’m also understanding how important a sustainable lifestyle is for our colleagues both mentally and physically. We all benefit from a commitment in working together to advance our best intentions and practices in both areas.
- Constantly committing to the safety for our co-workers, our clients, and their customers.
- I started with PAR cans and Lekos as a lighting designer and grew into having discussions about networking challenges because our productions are holistically communicating digitally across all departments.
- Come join our industry and bring your fresh viewpoint, encourage your imagination, and strap in. Be the new eye and the fresh voice. Now quit reading this and get after it.