Richard Cadena

Richard Cadena is a true titan of the "trenches," bringing over 36 years of hands-on experience to the forefront of the entertainment lighting industry. As an ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician, Richard has spent decades mastering the complex intersection of power, data, and artistry that defines modern live events. He is perhaps best known as the author of the industry-standard textbook, Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light, a seminal work that has educated generations of technicians and designers.
Beyond his technical prowess, Richard serves as the Technical Editor for Lighting & Sound America (L&SA), where he continues to shape the discourse on emerging technologies and safety standards. His career is a masterclass in evolution—from the early days of manual rigs to the AI-integrated future. Richard’s unique ability to translate high-level physics and electrical theory into practical, "road-ready" knowledge makes him an invaluable voice for anyone looking to understand the past, present, and future of the concert touring world.

Related Web Sites:
www.rcad.me
www.electrics.tech
www.automatedlighting.pro
www.APTXL.com
www.lightingandsoundamerica.com
www.lsionline.co.uk
www.esta.org/Protocol/protocol.html

April 1, 2026

The Hidden History of Moving Lights: From Cyclops to Cyberlights

Geezers Of Gear Episode 348 This Episode we’re joined by a returning friend of the show who literally wrote the book - several of them, in fact - on how we light the stage and power the show.He is an ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician with over 36 years in the trenches, a technical editor for L&SA, and the mind behind the industry-standard text, Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light. Richard is here to set the record straight on some "lighting lore" from our last chat wit...

Guest: Richard Cadena

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