Purchase Professor Wins Emmy For Lady Gaga Halftime Show

HARRISON, NY — A Purchase College professor has won his fourth Emmy — this time for his work as lighting director on the Super Bowl LI Halftime Show Starring Lady Gaga. David Grill, associate professor of theatre design/technology, received the Emmy award for Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety Special.

Grill, an alumnus of the SUNY system's performing arts college, won three prior Emmy awards for lighting design in 2002, 2013, and 2015. He has been nominated eight times.

Student Megan Seibel, who is majoring in design/tech, had the opportunity of a lifetime assisting at the halftime show as his intern. In fact, the internship was her idea. She knew her lighting professor had won multiple Emmy awards for his work on Super Bowl Halftime Shows and she wanted to be a part of one. She persisted and he made it happen. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

“Megan hit the ground running and quickly became a valued member of our team," he told Purchase College communicators. "Throughout her time with us she worked with all of the various folks in our department and also had time to get an amazing overview of one of the largest events in the world from members of the other teams that make the Super Bowl Halftime Show possible.”

Seibel said studying under people working in her field was one reason she loved Purchase.

“Being able to learn from professionals who are still constantly learning about new problems and solutions is truly wonderful because they teach us that there is always another way to approach a problem," she said. "They are always willing to invite us in to their work and are able to help us make connections in areas that we are interested in."

Did you see the halftime show? It's worth seeing if you didn't — and if you did here's a chance to see it again, paying particular attention to the lighting of course!

PHOTO: Design Tech student Megan Seibel with her professor Dave Grill at the Super Bowl/ via Purchase College