Jacob Interviews….iLuminate’s Miral Kotb

By: Jacob Elyachar

Tonight on America’s Got Talent, the acts that have received yeses from judges Howie Mandel, Sharon Osbourne and Howard Stern will square off in Las Vegas for a spot in the Top 48.    Last season, one of the acts that did not have to feel the pressure of Vegas Week was Team iLuminate.     They were an glow-in-the-dark dance group that incorporated technology created by Miral Kotb to perform astonishing routines that earned them fans across the world and landed them in the 2011 America’s Got Talent finals.

Recently I had the chance to correspond with iLuminate’s inventor and we discussed the technology, Team iLuminate’s appearance on the NBC hit and how the technology has been used throughout the entertainment industry.

Jacob Elyachar: Miral, could you please describe the brief history of iLuminate?

Miral Kotb: iLuminate is a company that brings together dance and technology through lighting. We have light-suits that can be triggered to turn on and off to the music seamlessly to create dances in the dark with illusions, with dancers appearing and disappearing, arms growing, people multiplying, and so much more. As a production company we bring shows to audiences of all ages around the world. And the technology company also rents out the hardware and costumes for productions globally.

JE: How long did it take you to design and develop iLuminate?

MK: I started with the idea in June of 2009. I had a prototype within a few months. But from prototype to an industry standard product that is stable, safe for wear and easy to use it took another year of development.

JE:  Let’s talk about your appearance on America’s Got Talent.  Why did you decide to audition for the show?

MK: A good friend a mine, and also an iLuminate dancer, encouraged me to audition for America’s Got Talent as a way to gain exposure for our performances and the unique use of my technology.  Having the opportunity to perform on broadcast television was an idea way for people worldwide to watch our act and get to know us as a performing arts group.  In hindsight, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made as we now have loyal fans following us from across the globe.

JE: What were some of the most difficult challenges during the Hollywood rounds?  How did you deal with them?

MK: Some of the most challenging times were dealing with the deadline intensive moments throughout the show’s production, including the live performances.  During that time, we learned how to work well under pressure and to make the most out of any situation that was dealt to us.  It was an invaluable learning experience for me.

JE: What was your reaction when you guys discovered you were heading to the show’s Final Four?

MK: We were thrilled and elated beyond belief!!  We wanted to continue to give our audiences our very best performances possible, and we felt very gracious for their amazing support.

JE: The iLumiante technology has been used by Grammy-winning performers like Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas, Chris Brown and David Guetta – and it has also been showcased on shows like “The X Factor,” “Dancing With The Stars,” and the Billboard Music Awards.  How does it feel to have one of the most sought after technological products in the entertainment industry?

MK: It is such honor! Their ideas and trust in our team to bring them to life, from costumes, lighting design and at times, choreography, is inspiring!

JE: If you had the chance to talk to aspiring dancers and technicians who are interested in joining your team, what would you tell them? 

MK: I’m always looking for dedicated and hard-working people to join our team as iLuminate continues to grow.  It is not just about your skill level, but your creativity, your openness to try new things, to work well with other members of the team, and learn to respect how different each person’s role is.

To learn all about iLuminate, visit their Website: http://iluminate.com/