William Kenyon
Just a few quick words about how I came to do this
for a living:
I became involved in technical theatre at a very
young and impressionable age. At the time it seemed to be an unending
stream of tech rehearsals, shows, and opening night parties. My
parents are still sure it was the parties that drew me in. Also,
at this time I had the good fortune to meet Rick Neidig, who convinced
us that there was a great deal more to design than just illumination
and tricks. He also convinced my parents that one could actually
make a living at this sort of thing. After much hunting around,
I found an undergraduate program that seemed to be everything
I needed. Again, I was lucky to meet another designer who would
change my life, and who has helped guide me through my career.
His name is James Franklin, and he teaches Lighting Design at
the University of Connecticut. I spent 4 years as Jim's student,
and have spent the time since trying to live up to his example.
I earned a B.F.A. with Honors in the Summer of 1991 in Tech/Design
for Theatre. That Fall I entered Brandeis University as a Graduate
Student. At Brandeis, two more designers helped to shape and guide
my design skills. Bob Moody taught me how to draw and paint, and
how to see color like never before. Dennis Parichy taught me how
to think about a script, and how to make those ideas come to life
onstage. I earned an M.F.A. from Brandeis in Spring of 1994, specializing
in Lighting Design. The following year I spent designing in and
around the Boston area, before moving to New York City. Shortly
after moving to NYC, I married Jenny Miller, a 1995 Graduate of
Brandeis in Costume Design.
Two months after we were married, I became the Lighting
Director for the American Indian Dance Theatre, and began a four-year
stint of touring with them. I've traveled all over the United
States, plus visits to Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. In
1999, we decided it was time for a change of pace, and I began
to seek out a teaching position. I eventually accepted a position
as Asst. Professor of Lighting and Sound Design at the University
of Nebraska in Lincoln. We moved to Lincoln over the past summer,
and are now completely immersed in a new career path.