Review of Marlene - ExPats Theatre DC - Lighting Design
“The lighting plays a central role in this production as well, as the aging star is quite conscious of exactly what type of light is on her at any given moment. Kudos to Ian Claar for some truly masterful work in this capacity.”
-Anne Valentino, MD Theatre Guide
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2024 WATCH Award Winner for Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography
Ian Claar for Mary Stuart, produced by The Little Theatre of Alexandria
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Review of Scorched - ExPats Theatre DC - Lighting Design
“It is a stunning visual moment, effectively rendered by Ian Claar’s lighting design.”
-Nancy Blum, MD Theatre Guide
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Review of Finding Home — Capital Fringe Festival — Lighting Design
“Combined with Shute’s original atmospheric score, slightly too astringent and anxious to be lo-fi, and Ian Claar’s soft lighting, the table melted out of space to become either an ethereal dreamscape or an ambient nightmare disarticulated from the plane of reality.”
-Justin Rustle, MD Theatre Guide
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2023 Helen Hayes Nominee for Outstanding Lighting Design
Ian Claar for Dracula, produced by Synetic Theater
Production Portfolio
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Review of Dracula — Synetic Theatre — Lighting Design
“With very little staging and decor, it is the epic lighting, atmospheric sound design and cast that bring the both the medeival world of Transylvania and the castles of London to life.”
“Synetic Theatre's Dracula opening was to die for and can only get better. This show features some of the best lighting and sound design as well as several standout performances from one of the most charismatic casts I've seen this season.”
-Martrese Meachum, BroadwayWorld
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Review of Einstein’s Wife — ExPats Theatre DC — Fight/Intimacy
“Olinick and Auerswald have great chemistry, aided by fight and intimacy choreographer Ian Claar, who has crafted movements that further clarify the pair and their, at times, messy relationship.”
-Ian Thal, Washington CityPaper
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Review of Ada and Engine — Avant Bard Theatre — Lighting Design
“Perhaps the most thrilling aspect of this production was the masterful lighting design by Ian Claar. Claar's lighting is not only beautiful but plays a fundamental role in distinguishing and blending mood, aesthetic, tone, and feeling in this production. Claar's specific choices will have you marveling and just when you think it can't get any better, Claar surprises you with a few tricks up their sleeve. This lighting design alone was enough to make finding this hidden theater worth it! Overall the design was extremely compelling with not one detail spared and will have you leaving the theater completely amazed.”
-Megan Lederman, BroadwayWorld
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Review of I Am Her — Bee the Change — Lighting Design
“Director Toni Rae Salmi has shaped the transitions between with a cinematic flow that is well served by Lighting Designer Ian Claar.”
-John Stoltenberg, DC Metro Theater Arts
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Review of Surfacing: An Inventory of Helplessness — ExPats Theatre DC — Lighting Design
“Projections and lighting worked together more seamlessly than I’ve seen, and the constraints of Fringe technical limitations nevertheless were utilized for extremely simple yet highly effective lighting effects. Technical visuals were also echoed in very simple but evocative stage props.”
-Hillary Kacser, Patron
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Review of My Father’s Dragon — Synetic Theatre — Lighting Design
“The set, designed by Phil Charlwood, along with intricate lighting design by Ian Claar, creates a dark, jungle scene with trees and vines, varying levels, and the illusion of water.”
-Kendall Mostafavi, DC Metro Theater Arts
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Review of Key for Two — Little Theatre of Alexandria — Movement Director.
“…He takes a tumble over the sofa in Harriet’s living room, which would have broken an ordinary man’s neck. I spoke with the fight choreographer, Ian Claar, who taught the cast techniques to keep them safe while making pratfall situations look really dangerous.”
-Sarah Dudley Brown, The Zebra
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