Bandit Lites Brings Immersive 360-Degree Lighting Experience to Dude Perfect's Squad Games Tour

	"The entire arena comes alive with massive audience lighting, aerial beam effects, strobes and video, making every fan feel like they're part of the celebration rather than just watching it," says Felps.

The sports and comedy group Dude Perfect's Squad Games Tour features a rig supplied by Bandit Lites, used by production manager and lighting designer Mason Felps, of 46 Entertainment, to transform arenas into fully immersive, 360-degree competition experiences.

Produced by 46 Entertainment, led by president Nathan Baugh, the Squad Games Tour represents the most ambitious live production in Dude Perfect's touring history. Rather than relying on a traditional stage, the show unfolds across the arena floor, placing fans on every side of the action and demanding a lighting design capable of following the excitement wherever it happens.

Having partnered with Dude Perfect since the group's early arena tours in 2021, Bandit Lites has supported the production as it has evolved from a traditional end-stage presentation into this year's ambitious in-the-round experience. With competition taking place across the entire arena floor, the lighting design has become an essential storytelling tool -- connecting every seat to the action while seamlessly shifting the atmosphere from high-stakes competition to celebratory spectacle.

"This year's Squad Games Tour is our biggest leap yet," says Felps. "Earlier designs centered around a traditional end-stage format with a thrust, using lighting primarily to support the performance area. Now we've transformed the entire arena floor into the competition space with full 360-degree seating. From a lighting perspective, that completely changed the design philosophy. Instead of directing attention to one stage, every fixture now has to work harder to define multiple performance areas, light the audience, and create immersive looks from every angle. It's less about lighting a stage and more about lighting an experience."

That philosophy is especially evident during the show's grand finale, where lighting becomes a central part of the audience experience.

"One of my favorite moments is the show's finale," Felps shares. "After nearly two hours of nonstop competition and energy, we wanted to create a moment that felt larger than life. The entire arena comes alive with massive audience lighting, aerial beam effects, strobes and video, making every fan feel like they're part of the celebration rather than just watching it."

Because the production unfolds throughout the arena, flexibility is critical to maintaining momentum and ensuring every audience member feels engaged.

"Bandit's rig gives us the flexibility to accomplish that every night," continues Felps. "The combination of powerful beam fixtures, audience lighting, strobes and washes allows us to instantly shift the atmosphere from an intense competition to a full arena celebration. The crowd becomes part of the show, and that's always the biggest payoff."

"More than anything, we want families to leave feeling like they experienced something together, not just watched a show," says Felps. "Dude Perfect has always been about bringing people together through competition, creativity and fun. The lighting supports that by constantly adapting to the story being told. Sometimes it creates the intensity of a championship sporting event, while other moments are designed to feel playful and larger than life."

Designing a show in the round also meant ensuring every guest, regardless of seat location, remained connected to the action.

"Since the production happens in the round, every seat has to feel connected to the action," Felps explains. "That challenge drove every design decision. If a kid leaves inspired to go outside and invent trick shots with their friends, or a family spends the ride home talking about their favorite moments, then we've accomplished exactly what we set out to do."

"Working alongside Mason Felps, Nathan Baugh and the incredible team at 46 Entertainment has been a fantastic partnership," says Bandit Lites chair Michael T. Strickland. "They continue to push creative boundaries while never losing sight of the audience experience. We're proud that Bandit has been part of Dude Perfect's touring journey since the early arena tours and grateful for the opportunity to help bring this exciting production to life."