An award-winning lighting and production designer and the Founder and Managing Director of one of the most well-respected and longstanding production companies in the UAE, Terry Miranda is a name that will no doubt be familiar with the vast majority of TPiMEA readers. Born and raised in the UAE, Miranda cut his teeth in the industry working on shows for the likes of Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, and Def Leppard before taking the plunge and setting up Lighthouse Productions (LHP) in 2004.
Now 20 years on from its foundation, LHP is one of the region’s best regarded multidisciplinary production design and event management companies, winning countless awards not to mention the favour of high-profile clients, suppliers, and colleagues along the way.
With a long and storied career and two decades of company success to look back on, it would have been easy for Miranda to spend the duration of our conversation reeling off some of his many achievements. However, as those who know him will attest, the industry veteran is about as opposed to the typical pedestrian profile brimming with banal praise and self-indulgence as it’s possible to be.
“I’m only interested in meaningful conversations,” he expressed, revealing his exasperation at the constant interview requests from publications looking to highlight his business prowess. “I’ve reached a point in my life where I would much rather chat about creativity and how we can work with the next generation to engage them in the industry rather than how to build a business or the most effective ways of making money.”
True to his word, in this wide-ranging and far-reaching interview, Miranda discusses everything from making cultural change through theatre and the importance of maintaining good mental health, to his views on how AI should be embraced rather than feared and the innovative hybrid esports concept he believes has the potential to disrupt the world of cricket.
Photos: Lighthouse Productions
