Explore Elation PARAGON’s role in Hamlet at Mark Taper Forum

Center Theatre Group’s modern Hamlet blends film noir lighting and Elation PARAGON fixtures for an immersive experience

Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Hamlet, has been given a modern take by Robert O’Hara at the Mark Taper Forum in downtown Los Angeles. In this production, the well-known play blends video with new scenes and characters with lighting design by Tony Award nominee Lap Chi Chu. To help realise the show’s visual concept, Chu turned to Elation’s award-winning PARAGON LED framing profile moving head.

With a younger audience in mind, the creative team leaned into a stylised visual approach. “We were looking to do something exciting and new,” Chu noted. “The lighting and design mandate was film noir, and I was looking for dynamic, single-source lighting to capture that feel.”

Five PARAGON M fixtures were used in overhead positions throughout the 739-seat space. The units delivered standout features, like prism effects and dual frost. The set – a drained luxury pool surrounded by Spanish architecture – was bathed in saturated blue and teal-green tints. The PARAGON's colour mixing system enhanced this palette and helped dramatise the show’s transitions.

Beyond creative flexibility, the fixtures also met the show’s technical needs. The team praised the quiet operation, compact size and ease of use of the system. These properties were critical for the subtle and precise performance.

O’Hara’s adaptation at the Mark Taper Forum demonstrates how classic works can be reimagined through modern technology. With Elation’s PARAGON fixtures, the production achieved a distinctive visual style that matched the director’s vision and captivated audiences.

Following its success on this production, the Elation's technology also played a central role on the Cambria Tour, where its multi-functionality gave designers the same creative freedom on stage.

Find out more about Elation at elationlighting.com