I am an experienced theatre artist with over 460 production credits including 145 scenic designs and 160 lighting designs. After working professionally as a technician in regional theatres for six years and then teaching at the University level for 32 years, I am redirecting my career to pursue freelance lighting and scenic design work full-time.
About Me
Recent Work from My Portfolio
I started designing scenery for the stage in my senior year of high school. I did not have an opportunity to continue this aspect of my career as an undergraduate, but returned to it as a graduate student and have been designing scenery regularly for the last 38 years.
After three years at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, I made a career shift to Marquette University and quickly began designing some scenery and lighting. In 1995, I took over primary responsibilities for scenic and lighting design and technical direction. When I moved to Saint Michael's College in 2001, I continued to fulfill all three roles simultaneously. In 2019, I started directing too.
As an undergraduate at Allegheny College, I became involved with the student dance group, Orchesis. For three years I worked with many choreographers to light multiple pieces in two performances as well as various sponsored events, including an intercollegiate dance festival. A highlight of my time there was the visit of the Ohio Ballet and their resident lighting designer, Thomas Skelton. Lighting dance was my only design outlet as a student, and I thoroughly enjoyed the work. My love for lighting design continued to grow in dance and theatre.
Working as the resident designer and production manager for the Saint Michael's Playhouse (now closed) from 2001-2023, I picked up multiple lighting and scenic designs, and pitched in solving special projects-like the obligatory hole-in-one shot for Fox on the Fairway by Ken Ludwig. I continue to enjoy finding ways to reinforce the story we are telling with light.
Straight out of grad school I landed a position as the props carpenter at the Milwaukee Rep. All I knew about Milwaukee at the time was from watching Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley. I was one of five working professionals in the shop and I enjoyed the challenges of fabrication. More recently I have been exploring scenic painting more seriously and growing in confidence and skills.
Favorite Quote:
“To use gifts less than well is to dishonor them and their Giver. There is no material or subject in Creation that in using, we are excused from using well; there is no work in which we are excused from being able and responsible artists.”
- Wendell Berry from “Christianity and the Survival of Creation"
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Contact Me
I’m always open to feedback on work that you see. I am also looking for the next opportunity to craft a story in space and light. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch!