Lights, camera, action: Jessica Han pours heart and soul into role of KW Studios technical director
A love of being behind the lens led the artist to the world of dance
VIDF technical director Jessica Han (right) is a lighting designer, theatre technician, stage manager, and filmmaker.
Jessica Han grew up around cameras—her mother and uncle were avid photographers—so perhaps it’s no surprise that she developed a passion for being behind the lens. She pursued this as her profession and found her home backstage. Now, Han is bringing movement to life through her role as technical director at KW Studios, home of the 2021 Vancouver International Dance Festival (VIDF).
A lighting designer, theatre technician, stage manager, and filmmaker, Han earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University with a major in film production and a minor in theatre production in 2011.
Jessica Han.
Han included theatre production as a focus after taking a class in first year. She enjoyed how hands-on it was. She loved building and painting and the process of devising theatre where, during the period of creation and production, she felt like she was part of a family.
After graduating, Han worked as a theatre tech, gaining experience running sound, lights, and video at corporate events.
She began working in dance in 2015 as a stage manager. Alvin Erasga Tolentino of Co.Erasga was the first choreographer to invite her to light for dance. She has since designed the lighting for all the company’s work.
In 2017, Jessica teched the first VIDF show at KW Studios (which is owned and managed by Kokoro Dance). She proved that she had the right combination of technical skill and commitment for the job, even amid challenging circumstances.
VIDF artistic producer Barbara Bourget recalls that an artist from out of town was set to perform, but the venue wasn’t ready. “A lot of techies would have walked into a situation like that and said ‘oh, what a mess!’” Bourget says. “It was very stressful, but Jessica was very respectful and did a great job.”
At the 2018 VIDF, one of the international artist’s lighting designers didn’t show up as planned at the Vancouver Playhouse. Han stepped in as a last-minute lighting consultant and saved the day.
That same year, the VIDF awarded Han the Larisa Fayad Memorial Award in Lighting Design and Technical Direction, presented biennially by the festival.
With the support of a BC Arts Council Early Career Development grant, Han began working as the technical director of KW Studios.
Han enjoys running crews and getting things done in an efficient and timely manner.
She is also working as lighting designer for several adaptations that are part of VIDF’s 2021 livestream program.
When Han is not working on a project, she likes to write, play guitar, bike, do puzzles, play board games, and read.
Jessica Han backstage.