Andorran Eloi Pla Shines as Key Lighting Designer in Local Theater

Eloi Pla, a 26-year-old Andorran, has carved out a key role behind the scenes as a lighting designer and technical director for major artistic productions in the Principat.

Though his work remains largely invisible to audiences, it shapes the atmosphere of every performance. Pla has taken on technical direction for projects including *Venus in Fur* by Alfons Casal, backed by Andorra Crea; *Goya* at the Canillo Escènic Arts festival; and Escena Nacional d'Andorra (ENA) productions *Macbeth* and *Límits*. He also spent two months designing lights for *Monument* by Àngel Duran, which later won a Butaca award.

His passion ignited at age eight during a show in La Seu d'Urgell, sparking a fascination with stage lighting. Years later, he trained in the discipline at Barcelona's Institut del Teatre. Initial calls came from local Andorran firms, followed quickly by opportunities with ENA.

Pla notes that outsiders often grasp only the basics of technical roles in the arts sector. "People outside usually know what's behind it, but not in depth," he says. His responsibilities bridge lighting, sound, and machinery to build a production's mood, encompassing distinct jobs like show direction, set construction, and overall technical oversight.

He cherishes the collaborative creative process. "It's beautiful to see many people working on the same project," Pla says. What draws him most is crafting varied environments, from weeks of rehearsals and light tests to the tension of opening nights. "There are shows that have moved me, probably from the nerves and everything leading up to the premiere," he adds.

Content to stay offstage—"I'll never step onto one"—Pla eyes further growth, particularly in rigging: assembling structures and calculating loads for scenery. His path underscores the vital, understated craft sustaining Andorra's thriving scene.