Lighting Up Life: Glen MacArthur's Rays of Light

From Childhood Dreams to Event Magic

Glen MacArthur, owner of Rays of Light, discovered his love for lighting at the age of 13, in a bedroom transformed into a miniature drive-in movie theater. Using Matchbox cars, toy trucks, and even Star Wars figures, he staged concerts and shows with makeshift stages, floodlights, and his first DIY lightboard built alongside his father. “That little project grew and evolved with me over the next few years,” Glen recalls. “The rest is history.”

A Passion Turns Professional

While Glen always enjoyed lighting for dance floors at other DJs’ events, his true spark came in 2001 when his wife gifted him a single, large moving light. Inspired, he quickly expanded his collection, adding four more moving lights and numerous up-lights, and started booking jobs regularly. By 2002, he had incorporated his business, officially launching Rays of Light and bringing his growing vision to life. This foundation set the stage for the events that would define his career: celebrations filled with energy, engagement, and unforgettable moments.

The Events That Shine Brightest

For Glen, the most memorable events are those where guests are fully engaged - dancing, celebrating, and creating memories. Weddings and mitzvahs top his list for that reason. A standout event was a New Year’s Eve celebration at Gulfstream Park between 2017 and 2019, where Glen set up a 40-foot-high disco ball over a fountain. At midnight, with his sons controlling lights and strobe effects, the crowd was electrified under a canopy of three-foot-wide LED stars. “Even though my boys are no longer interested in lighting, that moment sitting next to them and seeing them operate the lights in front of the largest crowd my company has ever illuminated was incredibly special,” Glen reflects.

Keeping Calm When Things Don’t Go as Planned

Challenges are inevitable, but Glen emphasizes the importance of staying composed. “The most important thing is to remain calm, and my team and I always have a Plan B,” he says. His steady approach ensures that every event, big or small, goes off without a hitch.

Inspiration and Influence

Larry Alspaugh of Sterling Productions played a pivotal role in shaping Glen’s career, recognizing his talent as a lightboard jockey and giving him his first professional job. Glen also credits his wife and best friend, Karen, for inspiring him to believe in himself and his abilities. And for a soundtrack to his life? Madonna’s Ray of Light is a fitting choice for someone who has dedicated their career to illuminating life’s most joyful moments.

Fond Memories and Looking Ahead

From NYE block parties in 1999 and 2000, complete with homemade confetti cannons, to large-scale wedding events, Glen’s career has been filled with moments of creativity, joy, and light. “It’s about creating experiences that people remember,” Glen says simply. And with Rays of Light, he continues to do just that—turning events into dazzling, unforgettable celebrations.