Please join us in welcoming our new Production Manager Jonathon Hunter to the Department of Dance team. Hunter joined the staff at the beginning of fall semester to work with Dave Covey running the Barnett Theatre, stage managing our productions and taking over the teaching of Lighting Design and Production in autumn 2020. He received his MFA in Lighting Design from The University of Virginia and BA in Theatre Arts from The University of Akron after studying dance from a young age. He has worked for Cleveland Play House, Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, OhioDance Festival and New York Stage and Film. In his travels, he has worked with local and national companies such as: GroundWorks DanceTheatre, Neos Dance Theatre, Dancing Wheels, Pilobolus, and Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. He collaborated with the Akron Symphony Orchestra for two concerts on their 2017-2018 season and has worked with Rubber City Theatre, Akron All-City Musical and Mercury Theatre Company.
Hunter found his way into technical theatre while volunteering with Weathervane Community Playhouse in Akron and discovered a love for video programming on the 2015 production of Ordinary Days. This programming got him involved with Neos Dance Theatre’s production of A 1940’s Nutcracker and their M.A.D.E. in Ashland series. Most recently he served as the Lighting and Video Assistant for Cleveland Playhouse.
Hunter grew up in the Columbus area and had worked in Sullivant Hall’s Barnett Theatre for the OhioDance Festival. “I knew how great the facility is and the potential it holds,” says Hunter. He is an avid Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) and QLab programmer. When asked about his vision for the position and the department, he replied, “I believe that with a deeper understanding of production elements, choreographers will learn to discuss and utilize technical elements in more ways. Additionally, it can be helpful to dancers to understand their relationship to the lighting.”
When he is not busy at work in Sullivant Hall and the Barnett Theatre, which is rare during production season, you might find Jonathon playing board games and cooking. He also enjoys getting out and exploring nature.
