Cassie Barnes has been involved in technical theatre for the last 15 years, and it was under the instruction of Joan Arhelger at San Francisco State University that her passion for lighting design was born. After graduating from SFSU, where she studied Theatre Arts and Women and Gender Studies, she began her freelance career. Cassie is the resident lighting designer for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music's Opera and Musical Theatre Program, Diablo Ballet, Bayer Ballet Academy, Golden Thread Productions, and Applegate Dance Company. She’s also had the fortune to work under Justin Partier as an Assistant Designer and a Lighting Intern at San Francisco Opera .