For more than three decades, the Church on the Queensway in Toronto, Canada has staged an ambitious Easter production known as the Passion Play – a large-scale theatrical experience that rivals professional theatre in its scope and artistry. Under the direction of Technical Director René Barrow and Lighting Designer Chris Da Silva, the 2024 production aimed to push boundaries further than ever before. Seeking to eliminate long-standing lighting limitations and bring new creative possibilities to the stage, the team turned to CAST Software’s BlackTrax real-time tracking technology.
the Challenge
Despite years of professional-level production, the team continued to face persistent follow spot challenges. Traditional fixtures were heavy, limited in brightness, and difficult to position within the church’s architecture. Even upgraded RoboSpots still demanded manual operators and physical placement, restricting creative freedom and precision. René Barrow explained, “We’re constantly looking for smarter, more efficient solutions. Every year we raise the bar, but this one was about real reinvention.”
The goal was clear: find a system that allowed seamless, automated performer tracking while maintaining complete creative control and reliability throughout a technically demanding live show.
THE SOLUTION
Lighting designer and programmer Chris Da Silva, a long-time collaborator of René’s, introduced BlackTrax after discovering its potential through industry peers. Once he realized CAST’s HQ was located nearby, he arranged a demo that changed everything.
“Once we saw what it could do, I knew we had to use it,” said Barrow.
Working closely with Joana Provido, CAST’s Product Specialist, the production team integrated the system into both the lighting design and costume elements. The key challenge was embedding BlackTrax beacons into wardrobe pieces discreetly and securely. After careful testing and calibration, the system was ready for opening night.
Chris led the programming and integration process. “Once it’s up and running, it’s incredibly intuitive,” he explained. “It communicates directly with the lighting console through existing data channels. After a short learning curve, it became second nature and it gave us creative control we’ve never had before.”
CREATIVE IMPACT
The impact of BlackTrax was immediate and transformative. For the first time, Chris could control follow spots without relying on human operators or dedicated fixtures. The system’s flexibility allowed any performer, wearing a beacon, to be tracked across the stage by any light in the rig, creating a seamless and cinematic visual experience.
“There was one scene where we tracked a performer running across the stage using the entire rig,” said Da Silva. “It created layers of drama and depth we simply couldn’t achieve before. The audience saw the lights following the actor and had no idea how it was happening and that’s the magic.”
The technology also streamlined show operations. Once programmed, cues were executed automatically with pinpoint accuracy, eliminating missed moments and freeing operators to focus on other production elements.
Beyond the technical benefits, BlackTrax fundamentally changed the creative process. Instead of designing around technical limitations, Chris could now design with the technology in mind, unlocking new visual possibilities from the start.
“For me, the true value of any tool is in how it supports imagination,” he said. “With BlackTrax, you stop worrying about what’s possible and start focusing on what’s inspiring.”
René agreed: “We’re not putting on a simple church play. Our standard is professional theatre and BlackTrax helped us deliver on that promise.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Having seen what the system can achieve, the team plans to expand its use in future productions. With a permanent venue and complete control over their rig, they see opportunities to track moving set pieces, integrate more beacons, and use the system for concerts, services, and other live events.
“The technology lends itself beautifully to any production,” said Da Silva. “It’s compatible with existing fixtures and simple follow spots, which is a huge advantage. As CAST continues to refine the hardware and software, the possibilities are endless.”