Neil Anderson ‘97

When Neil Anderson left Plymouth State in 1997 with a B.A. degree in theatre arts, little did he know that he’d one day be back to teach it. One of his former teachers and mentors, Associate Professor Matthew Kizer, went on sabbatical during the 2004 spring semester, and Anderson was called upon to replace him.

“I’ve kept in touch with Plymouth State’s theatre program since graduation,” says Anderson. “I’ve been back a couple of times as an instructor for the two-day high school theatre project. When I got the call offering me the chance to fill in for Matt, it was a challenge I couldn’t resist.”

Anderson, who lives in Chicago, Ill., where he does freelance lighting design, arrived on campus for the start of spring classes and was immediately immersed in his responsibilities. “It was a little overwhelming at first,” says Anderson. “I not only do the lighting design for our theatre productions, I also teach theatre electrics and lighting design. Right now I’m spending hours getting ready for our production of Pump Boys and Dinettes, and as soon as that’s done I’ll go right to work on Mother Courage and Her Children which takes place in May.”

Anderson comes with both background and experience. “After graduating from Plymouth State, I went on to graduate school at Indiana University,” explains Anderson. “I received my master’s degree in lighting design in 2000, and spent the next two seasons working with the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Mass. Freelancing in Chicago has given me a lot of real-life perspective and insight into the challenges of the business.”

One of Anderson’s concerns in the beginning was how the students would feel about his teaching style. “I wasn’t sure how they’d compare my methods to Matt’s, but they were enthusiastic and I think it’s been a valuable experience for them to see a different approach to accomplishing the same goals.”

At the close of the semester Anderson returns to Chicago. “For the foreseeable future I’m planning to keep on freelancing,” he explains. “I want to continue to make connections in the Chicago theatre industry. As for anything permanent, if the right thing came along—maybe.”

—KH