The Morse Code: Decoding the Career of Iconic Lighting Designer Peter Morse

by Vickie Claiborne, Peter Morse

Overview

The Morse Code: Decoding the Career of Iconic Lighting Designer Peter Morse explores key developments and evolving techniques, processes, and technology within contemporary theatrical lighting design through the career and impact of US lighting designer Peter Morse.

Peter Morse’s career as a lighting designer spans over 50 years. He has worked with most of entertainment’s biggest artists, including Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Prince, and many more. This book documents his firsthand perspective of how the entertainment industry has changed, and it features his unique perspective on how the evolution of the lighting industry resulted in an evolution of his design and practice. More than a simple biography, this book explores the history of contemporary lighting design through Peter’s eyes and experience, tracing the evolution of technology and trends, and how one designer’s creativity impacted an industry. Each chapter explores the work of a decade and is illustrated with personal interest stories from his collaborations with iconic artists and production photography.

The Morse Code is a valuable resource for new and experienced lighting designers, students of lighting design, and those interested in the history of technical theatre.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032736150
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/12/2025
Pages:	202
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Vickie Claiborne is a designer, programmer, and training specialist in lighting and digital media and the author of the book Media Servers for Lighting Programmers. Her background in lighting design & digital media design and programming and lighting console training, spans over 30 years in the Live Events industry.

With a career that spans over 50 years, Emmy Award-winning Lighting Designer Peter Morse has worked with some of the world’s best performers,including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Barbara Streisand, Bette Midler, Carrie Underwood, Janet Jackson, and many more. He has also lent his illuminating talents to numerous production shows such as Glee, Disney on Ice, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey's The Greatest Show on Earth, as well as feature films The Bodyguard, Showgirls, and Truth or Dare.

Table of Contents

1. The 1960s: The Early Years  2. The 1970s: Exploring Traditional Techniques and Styles  3. The 1980s: Adopting Emerging Lighting Technology  4. The 1990s: A New Era for Large Format Concert Designs  5. The 2000s and Beyond: Embracing Technological Advancements in the 21st Century  6. Decoding Peter’s Design Process