It is with true sadness that the American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) learned of Fred Foster’s passing after his battle with cancer. His legacy to the live performing arts industry and the venues that house them will forever be revered, and he will be sorely missed.

His training as a lighting designer at the University of Wisconsin under the late USA and New York Lighting Designer Gilbert (Gil) Hemsley was instrumental to his career. When Fred introduced a control system intended for professional lighting designers, the industry and the lighting world were transformed — and theatre consultants suddenly had access to a realistically effective tool.

Fred didn’t stop there. He took his understanding of both production and technology into light fixture design and, more recently, into theatrical stage and production rigging. He has been the man in the right place at the right time for the ASTC membership and the performance industry in general.

We all mourn his loss.

The American Society of Theatre Consultants