By Production Manager and Building Coordinator Nico Lawson
This autumn 2024, Professor and Chair Charles O. Anderson established the Production and Events Planning standing committee, known as “PEP,” to strengthen the planning, coordination and execution of departmental productions, lectures, workshops and cultural events. The committee also oversees technology resources to support creative and academic programming.
Led by Production Manager and Building Coordinator Nico Lawson (they/them) as committee chair, the PEP committee is composed of production lecturers, administrative staff and faculty: Jonathon Hunter (lecturer, building coordinator and Barnett Theatre technical director), Lexi Clark-Stilianos (lecturer and integrated media designer), Lindsay Simon (lecturer and costume designer), Ryan Johnson (post-MFA scholar), Alfonso “Fonzy” Cervera (assistant professor), Seth Alexander (lecturer, sound designer and composer), Dr. Susan Chess (lecturer, musical accompanist supervisor), Damian Bowerman (external relations and recruitment coordinator), and Ray Fox (administrative associate). Together, the committee strives to empower students, faculty, staff and lecturers to actively participate in the planning and development of departmental programming while creating infrastructures for the equitable distribution of resources and labor.
“Our productions and events are the heartbeats of this department,” says Professor Anderson. “The PEP committee is not about controlling the department’s production season; it is about cultivating a culture of accountable collaboration, one that reflects the scope of our work while ensuring transparency and equity in the resources we share.”
During its inaugural semester, the committee focused on assessing existing departmental processes and infrastructures to balance regularly scheduled events with new faculty, staff and student proposals. In response, the PEP committee developed a streamlined event request and approval process that prioritizes the equitable use of departmental spaces, time and labor. This process introduces a form that notifies the PEP committee and the production and administrative teams about event proposals, allowing for better tracking of space usage and event frequency. The goal is to foster collaboration across departmental and interdepartmental programming and reduce strain on resources.
In addition, the committee has been instrumental in coordinating and reinvigorating Informal Creative and Scholarly Works in Progress showings to create a space for sharing as well as to help recommend student work for mainstage performance opportunities such as department repertory concerts and presentations at the American College Dance Association (ACDA).
Lecturer Lexi Clark-Stilianos played a critical role in the PEP committee’s success, helping strengthen relationships with the Emerging Technology Studio (ETS) and The Advanced Computing Center for Art and Design (ACCAD). Key achievements include facilitating the loan and installation of four short-throw projectors in the Barnett Theatre, which enabled experimental media design in the Autumn 2024 Up/Rising Repertory Concert, and helping recommend student and faculty works with Assistant Professor of Dance Film and Digital Technologies Kym McDaniel for ETS’ innovative new LED Display Wall in the Mendenhall Laboratory windows, prominently featured on the Oval Mall.
Looking ahead to Spring 2025, the PEP committee will host the Spring Creative Works in Progress Showing on February 28 in the Barnett Theatre. Additionally, the committee will be coordinating with the newly formed Student Advisory Council to expand opportunities for student-led and student-produced performances, fostering an environment where students can experiment, innovate and take ownership of their creative projects.
With the guidance of the PEP committee, the department looks forward to a future of intentional, collaborative and innovative programming that highlights the breadth and depth of its artistic and academic excellence.
