Aaron Black’s collection of work runs the gamut of disciplines from lighting design for dance, theatre and opera to production design and art direction for film and television to thematic large-scale design for leading family amusement parks.
As a lighting designer acknowledged as one of the up and comers in his field, he was awarded an Audelco Award for DREAM ON MONKEY MOUNTAIN as well as a Lucille Lortel Award for outstanding lighting design for FUNNYHOUSE OF A NEGRO, both for the Classical Theatre of Harlem. Mr. Black has left an indelible mark in New York with credits ranging from MEDEA to TROJAN WOMEN to HECUBA for Friendly Fire Theatre at 45 Below, to the world premiere of ALMOST BLUE at the Flatiron Theatre to the Summer Play Festival at the new 42nd Street Theatres; SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE, the U.S. premieres of PINK/2004 and CROOKED in 2005. The World U.S. premiere of Benadict Mason’s ASKO PARADISO, FIFTH MUSIC: RESUME WITH C.P.E. Bach for Alarm Will Sound at Columbia University, and, WAITING FOR GODOT for the Classical Theatre of Harlem which earned him his second Audelco Award nomination.
His worldwide Opera credits include THE RETURN OF ULYSSES for Chicago Opera Theatre, ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO for Opera Omaha, MADAMA BUTTERFLY for Opera Bilbao, Spain, TURN OF THE SCREW for Pittsburg Opera, MIRANDOLINA and RISERS TO THE SEA/A DINNER ENGAGEMENT for the Manhattan School of Music, A DIARY OF ONE WHO VANISHED for the Bard Music Festival, Gloriana Opera Company, and the much anticipated Phillip Glass’ ORPHEE for Glimmerglass Opera and the ILE DE MERLIN for the 2007 Spoleto Festival.
Showing a great propensity for diversity Mr. Black’s lighting design credits also include the tour for PRINCESS SUPERSTAR - New York Magazine’s; Single White and Famous the story of a Sicilian-Jewish rapper dance music diva, the US premiere of THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG for the Two River Theatre Company, ART Institute, and the world premiere of THE PUZZLE LOCKER by the Obie Award winning playwright W. DAVID HANCOCK at the International Theatre Program at University of Rochester where Mr. Black is also an Associate Artist.
As a production designer and art director with featured projects as the MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS (03, 05 & 06), FROM THE TOP on PBS, the NEW YORK CITY 9/11 COMMEMORATIONS for the Mayor’s Office of New York City (04, 05 & 06) VH-1 STORYTELLERS: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, and the 2006 FUSE FANGORIA CHAINSAW ARWARDS. Mr. Black has also worked repeatedly with NBC & the Oxygen Network on varied music specials, CMT, FUSE Networks, MTV Special Events, and various other industrial events. Additionally close to Aaron’s heart was his involvement in helping thousands of struggling children learn to read with the nationally distributed educational FLETCHER’S PLACE TELEVISION SHOW where he also served as live action director.
In Architecture his designs have been observed by millions of people each year who have visited theme parks, wildlife parks, aquariums and museums in the United States and Europe. He has created the interior and exteriors for such projects as AKBAR’S ADVENTURE TOURS 4D SIMULATION RIDE featuring Martin Short and Eugene Levy for Busch Gardens Tampa, ALPENGEIST ROLLER COASTER for Busch Gardens Williamsburg, SHIPWRECK CAFÉ for Sea World San Diego, JOURNEY TO ATLANTIS for Sea World Orlando and other projects for Sesame Place, Sea World San Antonio and Water Country USA.
Mr. Black is an Associate Artist at the International Theatre Program, University of Rochester where he serves as a designer, mentor and lecturer. He is a member of the International Thespian Society and the Educational Theatre Association. He has been a guest lecturer at NYU’s School of Education and Fordham University and is a member of United Scenic Artist 829. His work has been featured in numerous publications and editorials including the New York Times, Entertainment Design Magazine, Journal of Lighting Designers and Engineers Association of Japan, American Theatre Magazine, and numerous Roller Coaster / Amusement Park publications.
Mr. Black holds a Certificate from the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts in California, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Conservatory for Performing Arts at Webster University in Saint Louis and a Master of Fine Arts from Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.
Mr. Wierzel has worked with artists from diverse disciplines and backgrounds in theatre, dance, new music, museums and opera on stages throughout the country and abroad. OPERA: includes productions with the companies of Paris, Tokyo, Toronto, Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, Houston, Seattle, Minnesota, Virginia, Chicago Lyric, Chicago Opera Theatre, Florida Grand, Washington, Glimmerglass and N.Y.C.O. REGIONAL: includes productions at Arena Stage, A.C.T. San Francisco, Shakespeare Theatre DC, Chicago Shakespeare, Hartford Stage, Westport Country Playhouse, Long Wharf, Goodman Theatre, Yale Rep, California Shakespeare, The Guthrie, Mark Taper Forum and Berkeley Rep, among many others. DANCE: Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co., Doug Varone, Donna Uchizono, Sean Curran, Alonzo King, Lyon Washington DC; Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Shakespeare Theatre DC; Hartford Stage, Long Wharf Theatre; Goodman Theatre; The Guthrie; Mark Taper Forum; Geva Theatre; Actors Theatre/Louisville; Old Globe/San Diego; Laguna Playhouse; Yale Rep and the Berkley Rep, among many others. 
