Patrick Schulze, a Green Bay native, attended UWSP with Mr. Peckham. While studying theatre and communications in Stevens Point, he worked summers and holidays at WLUK-TV in Green Bay. After graduating college, he moved to Los Angeles, where he began his professional lighting career. Starting as a lighting electrician for various television productions, it was suggested that he contact the people at Vari-Lite to consider him as an automated lighting programmer. After training on their system (ground-breaking at the time), he was one of approximately fifty individuals in that field, world-wide. This afforded him the opportunity to work on different types of productions around the globe. He has worked on seven Broadway productions, one of which won the Tony Award for Best Lighting. Several of these productions carried him to different countries for their own staging. Beyond theatre and television, his work also included concert productions, music videos, corporate events, award shows, and art installations.

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          While working as a programmer, he also began designing and directing lighting for television programs, live and corporate events. This work led him to become a member of the International Cinematographers Guild (IATSE Local 600). Projects include Fox Sports, NFL Network, Penn and Teller, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

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          In 2018, he was approached by ARRI, a lighting and motion picture camera manufacturer to be a part of their Systems Group. Designing and consulting on studio installations, developing and supporting new lighting solutions, including both hardware and software for lighting control. After 30 years as a “freelancer”, he finally has a full-time job. His father is so proud.