Knox Department of Theatre Receives New Grant for LED Theatrical Lighting

Events inside Harbach Theatre will soon be a little brighter, as the Knox College Department of Theatre received a $76,800 award from the Revada Foundation of the Logan Family for theatre lighting. The new industry-standard LED theatrical lighting will challenge and ignite the creativity of students and faculty in directing, set design, lighting design, and costume design classes. The new lighting will also assist in other events held inside Harbach Theatre.

“It’s going to have an impact on every event in that space, not only all the productions that we do, but any forward-facing public event,” said Knox College Chancie Ferris Booth Distinguished Service Professor of Theatre Craig Choma ’93. “All of these events will benefit from cleaner, brighter, better lights that will take less time to work with.”

The current lighting equipment dates from 2003 and is outdated and limiting. The new LED wash lights would let students learn to use current equipment as designers and technicians, and conceive and manage productions that depend on lighting as the unifying design element.

“I would joke that sometimes it felt like we were also training mechanics because it would take so long to get the lights on and working and do what we needed as opposed to the artistry of being able to paint with light,” Choma said. “Having state-of-the-art technology to do that jumps right to the point of how we are going to make the art we want to make is a game-changer.”

Choma, along with Chair & Smith V. Brand Distinguished Professor of Theatre Liz Carlin Metz, went to work with Director of College Grants Fallon Allison to find grant opportunities for the arts. From there, Allison had a series of conversations with the Revada Foundation of the Logan Family, whose president is Knox alumnus Dan Logan ’69. The Revada Foundation of the Logan Family was able to provide grant money to the College. Founded in November 2016, the Revada Foundation of the Logan Family sponsors the arts and social justice programs.

Beyond productions and events benefiting from new lighting, Choma believes the upgrades also provide educational benefits. Knox’s theatre design and technology program can better prepare students for what comes after college, whether graduate school or a career on the technical side of production. 

“It is going to be an astronomical change in my ability to deliver a 21st-century education to the students that want to work with it,” Choma said.

Choma also hopes this is not only the beginning of more educational opportunities for students, but also a way for the College to save funds long-term as he begins the process of finding the best bang for his buck. And because these lighting instruments are ready to use, there is no add-on installation charge. Essentially, students can train on and create with these lighting instruments right out of the box.

“It is the future,” he said. “It’s energy savings on the front end, it’s all the capabilities on the back end, and it’s cheaper overall after purchase. I am super excited.”