Service to the Industry
I believe that remaining active in the professional theatre industry makes me a stronger educator and mentor. But I also believe that teaching makes me a stronger member of the theatre industry. The ability to nurture and encourage thoughtful, collaborative, and skilled new members of the profession is one way I can help ensure a brighter future for the industry. Below are a few ways I have been contributing over the past several years:
Virtual Stagecraft Creation for the Goodman Theatre and Chicago Public Schools
2020 - Present
I created a lesson plan for a virtual Stagecraft class for Willa Taylor, Director of Education and Community Engagement for the Goodman Theatre. Our goal was to create courses that allow the full time staff at the Goodman to remain employed during COVID-19, and to offer the Chicago Public School System a program that could deliver artistic education in a virtual learning semester. We applied for grants to cover basic materials for a Stagecraft Kit that was sent to each student and provided a bit of hands on learning in costume construction, scenic carpentry, scenic painting, electrical work, and audio engineering.
I used several more advanced versions of these lessons to teach Stagecraft at Point Park University during the pandemic. I also sent my students materials they could use at home, and we discussed techniques and ideas while getting to do hands on activities.
August Wilson Creative Voices Competition – Design Component
2023 - Present
In 2019/2020, I assisted the Goodman Theatre in Chicago by creating a design branch of the August Wilson Monologue Competition. In the summer of 2023 I was asked to bring this design element to the Pittsburgh regional branch of the competition. I am currently working with the August Wilson House to create process and inspiration videos for local high schoolers encouraging them to think about the worlds of August Wilson plays. We held workshops and trainings to help high schoolers develop skills to communicate their creative ideas, hosted by Point Park University.
While putting together materials for the contestants, I discovered that the Theatre Production students at Point Park knew very little about August Wilson’s American Century Cycle. I got several students involved in helping me write synopses of each play, which exposed them to the legacy of August Wilson. I also hope to use design students as T.A.s for future workshops, encouraging them to work with and inspire the high school contestants.
Portfolio Review and Feedback Sessions
2012 - Present
I volunteer as a lighting and projection design mentor and attend Portfolio Review and Feedback sessions for theatre training programs around the Midwest. I have worked with students from University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Illinois at Champagne-Urbana, DePaul University, and Northern Illinois University. I also provide feedback at conferences such as USITT.
I use these reviews to gage the professional readiness of my students at Point Park, making sure they remain at the top of their classes. I also use (with permission) some portfolios as examples of possible layouts, ways to approach paperwork, or general aesthetic.
Production Arts Outreach of Pittsburgh; Co-Founder
2020 - 2023
Educators from three local universities formed an organization to create lesson plans, panel discussions, and activities to introduce underserved Pittsburgh Public School students to theatre as a profession. Our mission was to introduce the professional possibilities in backstage, design, technical, and management positions in the performing arts in order to help draw a more diverse population to higher education programs.
The purpose of this program was to diversify the applicants we receive at Point Park, and the other local universities. I believe our program could be even stronger than it is with a more diverse student population.
Active Member of USA 829
2018 - Present
I am a proud and active member of the IATSE United Scenic Artists Local USA 829.
Active Member of USITT
2012 - Present
I am a proud and active member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology.
Conference and Educational Presentations and Invited talks
Conferences and Educational Presentations offer another opportunity to promote Point Park University, and to contribute advice, knowledge, and experience to future theatre artists. Here are some talks and presentations I have done recently:
Pittsburgh Unified Audition Workshop
2023
“Preparing a Design Portfolio”
I organized a portfolio workshop for all the design, technical, production, and management applicants who attended the Pittsburgh Unified Auditions. We focused on different formats that best show their design and technical work, how to make paperwork attractive and put it into context, and what schools are looking for in a high school student’s application materials. Several representatives from other schools were drawn to this presentation, and chose to stay in order to learn more.
The Light Show – A Lighting Industry Video Interview
2022
“October 2022” Created by Rane Renshaw of LimeLight Wired
Rane Renshaw interviews colleagues from around the lighting industry to discuss new equipment, approaches to lighting, thoughts about the development of the industry, and any pertinent news happening here and now as the lighting world shifts to fit the entertainment world. I was a guest, representing the educational approach to lighting. I was also a mentor and his Stagecraft Teacher during his time at Carnegie Mellon University.
SETC Workshop Presentation
2021
“Breaking the Shoulds: Lighting the Story”
Along with two lighting collogues, I created a digital workshop for the SETC conference presented virtually due to COVID. This workshop addressed the issues of young designers assuming there is a “right” way to design, and that they need certain equipment, or the theatre needs to look a certain way. We presented examples of shows that broke these conventions and discussed how it all comes back to the story a designer intends to tell through light.
Beyond Acting: Other Jobs in Theatre – Lighting Design
2021
G. Max Maxin, Instructor and Resident Lighting Designer at Northeastern Illinois University, created a series of YouTube videos geared towards actors in a stagecraft class. He asked me to participate in the video that describes what a lighting designer does, along with three other professional lighting designers. https://youtu.be/3pDeTwRfbXY
Lighting and Projection Talk – Northshore Country Day, Winnetka, IL
2021
Technical Director Manuel Ortiz invited me to speak to students about the design process for Lighting and Projection Design. We also spoke about different pathways into technical theatre, and I was able to answer questions about the interaction of design and actors.
Lighting Design interaction with Stage Managers – University at Albany, NY
2021 - 2024
Adjunct Professor R. Christopher Maxwell invited me to speak to stage management students about how Lighting Designers interact with Stage Managers, and what we find most helpful when collaborating.
TriDAC Information Session – Carnegie Mellon Third Coast Drama Alumni Clan
As part of Carnegie Mellon School of Drama’s portfolio showcase, I was invited to present the work environment of Chicago to the soon-to-be graduates. I am the president of TriDAC still, and was asked to speak about the presence of CMU alumni in Chicago and the surrounding area, and what types of connections the students could hope for.