A native of Gaffney, South Carolina and a graduate of the University of South Carolina, Barry has been an integral part of Columbia City Ballet’s productions for the past 15 years. His collaborations with William Starrett have helped create seven world premiere ballets, including his personal favorite, Dracula. Barry also serves as Lighting Director for Workshop Theatre and is associated with Opera at USC, Hilton Head Dance Theatre, Colleton County Arts, Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina, Mohawk Valley Ballet, HGM Opera Productions and Michigan Ballet Theatre, among many others. Free Times critic E. Harrington wrote of Barry, “Lighting Designer Barry Sparks, another gift to the Columbia art scene, brilliantly creates…atmosphere…Sparks designs light cues with the same sensitivity a conductor conducts an orchestra…”