About Jackson!
Hi there! My name is Jackson Maner (he/him/his) and I am Theatrical Lighting Designer and Technician based in New York, NY.
I was born in Florence, Alabama with three older sisters, and lived there all my life. After graduating High School, I began pursuing a BFA in Theatrical Design & Production, with an emphasis in Lighting Design & Technology. Since graduating with my degree, I relocated to grand old New York City! I have been making theatre for three quarters of my life and I don't intend on stopping any time soon.
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When I'm not working to create theatre, I love to bake yummy things for my friends, go thrifting for a fun tchotchke, and go on long tangents about niche historical topics (don’t get me started about Mary, Queen of Scots)!
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Fun fact: my full name is Michael Jackson Maner Jr! ​
My Life in Theatre
I have been creating theatre since I was five years old, cast in a Chrtistmas Pageant as Joseph. I knew when those stage lights hit my face that this is what I would do for the rest of my life. I have been working in Lighting since my freshman year of high school, and I have recentlt graduated from Oklahoma City University with my degree in Theatrical Design & Production, with an Emphasis in Lighting Design & Technology.
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Live Theatre has an effect on audiences ​that is unreplicable in any other artform. It is capable of changing minds, hearts, and lives (of which I am case and point!). I have worked in theatre now for nearly twenty years, and I would love to work with you next!
My Work in Theatre
I have been working in theatre for the vast majority of my life, and plan on doing so for the rest of my life. I have worked in every way I could from Lighting Designer to Student Teaching, managing three classes of Stagecraft per day. I am currently seeking work as a Lighting Designer, Production/Master Electrician, and Lighting Technician. ​
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My recent credits include:
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My Joy is Heavy (Light Board Operator)
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Saturday Church (Follow Spot Operator)
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Anything Goes (Lighting Designer)
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King Lear (Production Electrician/Programmer)
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The Ballad of Baby Doe (Lighting Designer)
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Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy (Lighting Designer)
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The Merry Wives of Windsor (Production Electrician/Programmer)
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Paradise (Production Electrician)​
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To the left is a time-lapse of myself teaching two Lighting Lab students how to replace connectors on jumpers! (note the little dance at the end!)
When I'm Not
Making Theatre
When I'm not fascilitating the creation of theatre in one way or another, I love a good hobby! The list is long, but some of them include:
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Woodworking
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Baking Yummy Things
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Thrifting
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Wandering Musems for Hours
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House Plants
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Hyperfixating on niche historical characters (My current favorite is Maria II of Portugal!)
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Pictured here, I am refinishing a thrifted jewelry box for my older sister, with the result!
