Meet Our Member

The IESNYC spotlights a member each month whose volunteerism, perspective or personal story helps advance our goals, piques our curiosity, and makes the IESNYC become a more vibrant and diverse lighting community. We value their expertise and thank them for volunteering their time and energy for the betterment of the section and NYC Lighting Community. #the_iesnycmom

January 2026

Maria Kulhavy
Assistant Systems Manager
Barbizon Lighting

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
Back in high school, one of my friends invited me to be a part of the run crew for Les Mis. Two full school days of tech rehearsals that got me out of classes? You bet I was on board! From there I started building scenery, hanging lights, and stage managing for every production we did. I was incredibly fortunate that my North Jersey high school had several highly invested and involved educators, and the technical director, Brant Belknap, was a TD for Cirque du Soleil. He took me under his wing to teach me all things technical theatre.

Tony-winning lighting designer Jen Schriever was an alumna, and Broadway was not far away. Our educators invested in teaching us proper technique (not just “good enough for high school”), and I attended the USITT conference a few times.

I wound up working in scenery as a TD and ATD throughout college in Florida, and in the following few years at regional theaters across the country. I dabbled in and out of lighting throughout those years. It wasn’t until I moved back to the New York area to work in events production that my career shifted fully to lighting.

That was a whirlwind couple of years with Frost Productions. The lighting and events were all incredibly beautiful, but also incredibly fast and so very temporary. This all came to a screeching halt with the pandemic, and I found myself looking for something a little more stable. I landed at Barbizon Lighting, and I’ve been working on the more permanent side of the lighting world since then. As a dealer, provider, and integrator, I’m working with consultants,  specifiers, and operators. Sometimes I also work as a project manager.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
My coworker at Barbizon, John Gebbie Jr., introduced me to the IESNYC as soon as I arrived. I attended LEDucation and some IESNYC programs, and got a lot out of them. But I didn’t join officially until this year. IESNYC incoming President Zachary Pearson chatted me up, extolling the virtues of getting involved in leadership. I can see having a seat at the table as “having a say” and “pitching in,” plus it offers a lot in terms of one-on-one and small group networking. 

Q: How do you see your role as a member of the IESNYC?
Programs create both physical and metaphorical spaces for the next generation of lighting professionals to build on the work of the past. The IESNYC’s digital assets provide great tools for established professionals and neophytes alike. So I’m glad to see that work continue to grow and to give back to the community. I am especially interested in supporting the IESNYC’s existing strong investments in scholarships and mentorship.

I see my role, in particular, as an open door for folks interested in learning more at every level. I look forward to inviting even more unique and vibrant voices to the table, in terms of both the diverse lighting professions and underrepresented minority individuals.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
Programs build community! I’m really looking forward to Moonlighting this year. I love to see how folks use their creativity in their personal time. Many young professionals seek support, connections, and resources for career development, along with a sense of belonging and well-being. A strong sense of community helps young professionals adapt to today’s rapid technology changes, turbulent job market, and economic instability – which sometimes come with socialization and mental health challenges.

Different opinions, different approaches, and the collective knowledge and expertise of the NYC lighting community make the industry stronger. And their differing needs bring richness to the Section’s programming and investments.