Calvin Anderson

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Adjunct Professor, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts

MFA, University of Connecticut
BFA, Point Park College

Contact Info

School of Theater

"No matter. Try Again. Fail Again. Fail Better." - Samuel Beckett

Calvin Anderson is a lighting and projection designer who has more than five years of teaching experience and began teaching at UArts in 2021. He is interested in the intersection of storytelling and risk, leaning toward collaboration with heart and radical trust.

Biography
Calvin Anderson earned a BFA from Point Park University, Pittsburgh, in 2003 and an MFA from University of Connecticut in 2012. From a young age, Anderson was heavily influenced by music and live theater and absorbed it as much as possible from every style of the spectrum.

Growing up as both a musician and visual artist have had great influence on the kinds of theater-making he enjoys. Some deep inspirations are Kevin Adams, Nayland Blake, Harry Dodge, Tharon Musser, Catherine Opie, Cindy Sherman, James Turrell and Kara Walker.

Experience

  • Anderson has more than 20 years of experience in the field, working in cabaret, dance, industrials, live music, opera and theaters, all with a heavy dose of touring. He was the lighting and technical director for Ailey II of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 2012 to 2014. Anderson still works heavily in dance and is resident designer and production manager for FJK Dance in New York City.
  • He taught at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, from 2015 to 2020 and focused on drafting, lighting, projections, stage management and technical theater.
  • Some of his favorite designs include
    • the Strings and Serpents tour with Andy Milne,
    • Flipzoids with Generator Theater Company, Juno, Alaska;
    • Oscar at the Crown with the Neon Coven, New York City;
    • Late Night Snacks 2019 with the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, Philadelphia;
    • The Old Man and the Sea, Point Park University, Pittsburgh; and
    • Method Gun, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut.

Awards and Accolades

  • Anderson has been recognized by Broadwayworld.com for Best Lighting Design for Urinetown at University of Connecticut, 2012.
  • He was named a Wingspace Mentor, 2016-2021.
  • Anderson was deemed a USITT (United States Institute for Theater Technology) Gateway Mentor, 2019-2021.

 

Explore Calvin Anderson's website

 

Work

Reflections

Oscar at the Crown teaser

The Old Man and the Sea