About Jackson!
Hi there! My name is Jackson Maner (he/him/his) and 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 move 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 am currently attending Oklahoma City University, majoring in Theatrical Design & Production, with an Emphasis in Lighting Design & Technology. I am currently a proud member of USITT.
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Theatre has an effect on audiences ​that is unreplicable in any other artform that can change minds, hearts, and lives (of which I am case and point!). I have worked in theatre now for nearly twenty years in some capacity, and I do not intend on stopping anytime soon.
My Work in Theatre
I have bene 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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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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Annie Jr. (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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Shorts (Assistant Lighting Designer)
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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 of joy 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 women (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!
