Though the spotlight burns brightest upon the stage — the actors who fill us with awe and move us to tears — there are just as many stars behind the scenes who empower them. Such is the case with Madison College student Carson Heussner, who was recently awarded for his outstanding lighting design at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) hosted by the college in January.
“He was at the table with people who have been in the industry for 20, 30 years and completely holding his own,” said Miranda Hawk, department chair of communication and performing arts at Madison College, commenting on Heussner’s ability to weave color and texture into a drama.
“He’s actually able to really help tell the story with the lighting design,” she said.
Hawk is a veteran of the festival, first participating as a student, then as a faculty member, and now serving as the vice-chair (soon to be chair) for the festival’s Region 3, which covers Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Western Ohio. Hawk is committed to helping the cast or crew reach their potential. While the program is currently basking in the sun, it hasn’t always been roses and applause.
The department chair said that the pandemic wiped out a lot of theatre programs, recalling a time when Madison College would sometimes send a student to the competition. Around 2012 they started to take things more seriously and by 2018, students reached the finals of a 1,500-person competition that included more funded four-year university theatre programs.
“That’s unheard of, for students to excel in those circumstances. Because we don’t at the college have the resources to truly support them,” she said.
While the pandemic proved challenging for the worldwide performing arts community, it allowed KACTCF to attract prestigious speakers who would have previously been unavailable due to hotel and travel costs. The school was able to put on virtual productions of “The Laramie Project.” In 2021, the department began offering a new certificate in Stage and Entertainment Technology, a 15-credit certificate program designed to be completed in one year or embedded into two-year associate degrees.
Because of the school’s 2023 budgetary crisis, the school cut its certificate program. In an ironic twist, the school coincidentally produced a talented individual in the same field in Heussner. And that’s not to mention the other behind-the-scenes rising stars who make up much of the theatre department, students whom Hawk just as quickly points out.
Hawk enthusiastically talked about Room D1630 where the space was filled with set, costume and prop designs along with costumed mannequins.
“There was a huge puppet elephant that came out of a wall, people were getting their picture taken with it, it was fantastic,” she said.
The students had their designs critiqued and praised by industry professionals, including international professionals like playwright Brian Quijada or sound designer Jing Zhao.
She went on to describe the Tech Olympics, the event that recognized Heussner for his record-speed light rigging — the event included material such as a costumed mannequin, bars for light hangs and a light reflecting drape, as well as activities such as tying knots, cueing a sound board and folding a drop cloth. She described the event as an obstacle course, with everyone cheering and having a great time.
Hawk’s enthusiasm for talent, passion and artistic realization is infectious. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t equally pragmatic. She pointed out the impact on students, those who did not dream of Hollywood or Broadway, but who just needed credit for their degrees. “To see something click, and then there’s more of a freedom… it’s like we start to figure out, ‘What is this thing that we have, this body, that we’re using to communicate with, because we use it all the time,’” she said.
She highlights that we’re all artists in our own way, each capable of expressing our message. For some, that message spotlights others, whether by inspiring the next generation, shining a light on those unnoticed or supporting your local college theatre production.