Renée Butcher, Samford University assistant professor of theatre, was asked to be one of three lighting designers to present their design work as part of the Design South at the 62nd annual South Eastern Theatre Convention (SETC) March 2-6.

Butcher said, “SETC is a great regional conference that reaches high school to college level students and professionals.  There are performance competitions as well as interview opportunities for summer stock and beyond.” 

Butcher also will attend the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) March 28-31, where she is presenting a poster entitled, “Open the Shutters: Removing the Barriers to Creativity.” The presentation is a culmination of a yearlong research session on how to best educate student lighting designers to help them become life long creative artists.

“This conference focuses more specifically on design and technical careers on the college to professional level with class sessions, access to the latest technologies in our fields, networking with other professionals and mentoring of the novices,” explained Butcher.

Butcher said one of her favorite things about attending the national conference is gaining inspiration from others attending, as well as getting to network with other lighting designers.

“A highlight for me at this conference is the opportunity to work in the light lab (a lighting workshop space with all of the newest lighting equipment) as one of the volunteers, as well as seeing a Cirque Du Soleil performance titled Totem and then speaking with the creative team following the show. “