Franklin College theatre department welcomes new friend

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Sometimes, it’s necessary to call on a different set of eyes to undertake a big project. For its production of “Hansel and Gretel,” Franklin College’s theater department did just that. Andy Smith, a professor of lighting design from the University of Washington, recently agreed to come to Franklin and help design the show.

Smith, a friend of Franklin theater professor Gordon Strain, shared his knowledge of lights with students involved in the production.

“Gordon and I had worked on a couple of shows together at the Cardinal Stage Company in Bloomington. It was during ‘Treasure Island’ that we decided we should do a show together at Franklin, and it was during ‘Oliver’ that we settled on this show season,” Smith said.

Smith, 35, studied theater at Duke University. Arriving at Duke with the intention of acting, he quickly learned that he had an inherent passion for lighting design.

“I respect everything that actors do, but I knew it wasn’t for me. Lighting just made sense to me. I just didn’t know you could make a career out of it. I worked a lot of different jobs after graduating from Duke. Worked in film, had an office job, even took a few psychology classes to try and find what I wanted to do,” Smith said.

After teaching himself all that he could about lighting, Smith went to graduate school for his art. From 2003 to 2005, he attended the University of Washington to study design in lighting. Following graduation, he received an opportunity to teach there.

Though he has worked many jobs in his life, he cites theater as what makes him the happiest.

“Theatre is a beautiful thing. People coming together and creating something. I love it all,” he said.

Smith says his experience with Franklin has been a great one.

“Franklin is a nice community. I’ve really enjoyed coming here and having the opportunity to teach some of the students what I know,” Smith said.

Strain believes Smith has been a great contribution and a new perspective for the show.

“Having Andy here has been a great opportunity,” said Strain. “He brings a new kind of energy for both the faculty and students. It’s been great to have him teach class, too.”

See Smith’s work in “Hansel and Gretel” this weekend in Theatre Margot. The show runs through Sunday with times of 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.