In Memoriam: Tammy Smith

	Tammy Smith

Tammy Smith, director of lighting design at Lightswitch, died on March 24. The cause was cancer. She was 58.

A native of Aurora, Illinois, she attended St. Paul's Lutheran School and Oswego High School, where she first got involved in theatre. She graduated with a degree in technical theatre from Illinois State University. She began her professional career with an internship at Opryland in Nashville, then returned to Illinois to work at Upstaging. She then joined Lightswitch as a designer, eventually becoming director of lighting design. She also maintained her own design company, TLS Designs, Inc.

A statement from Lightswitch says:

"Tammy Smith created innovative and distinctive design solutions for more than thirty years, and in doing so, left an indelible mark on our industry. A bold, animal-centric lighting approach for a marine show at the Shedd Aquarium? Done. A massive, story-driven spectacle for the 2002 Winter Olympics? Done. Memorable product launches, immersive experiences, and beautifully crafted museums and galleries? Done, done, and done. "Combining lighting, production, and scenic design, Tammy had a rare ability to weave everything together into experiences that surprised and delighted - blowing minds without blowing the budget. Years of real-world, battle-hardened experience made her a nimble, fearless, and deeply committed collaborator who always showed up fully and expected the same of those around her.

"She was also a trailblazer. In an industry that hasn't always made space for women, Tammy didn't wait -- she led. She opened doors, set standards, and championed those who followed, particularly young women finding their way into the field. Her impact there will be felt for years to come, and we were so proud to have her as part of our team.

"Her passion for visual design was balanced by a love of photographing the natural world. As Tammy put it, 'Embracing the wonder of light in the natural world keeps my work fresh and grounded.'

"A phrase printed on a Lightswitch jacket she was given came to embody the spirit of Lightswitch for her: 'Organizations brave enough to unleash the creativity of their human talent will triumph.'

"Tammy lived that. And she leaves behind not just extraordinary work, but a higher bar for all of us."

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations in her name can be made to the Oswego Public Library Children's division, 32 West Jefferson St, Oswego, Illinois, 60543, or the Fish Food Bank, FISH of McHenry, PO Box 282, McHenry, Illinois, 60051.