From working behind the scenes as a lighting technician at the Jube, Jeff Osterlin has experienced a side of Shumka not many people get to see. He worked his first Red Boots & Bubbly fundraiser in 2004, and got to know many of the dancers in Snow White and the Seven Gnomes of Christmas in 2006. He has been a part of every Shumka production since.

“I was pushed in ways I hadn’t thought of before, I had to try new things all the time. I had to do the job with smaller teams, larger teams, in ways I hadn’t before, and it made me better.”

Over the years, working with different people on the many productions taught Jeff new techniques and methods. When Shumka brought in a lighting designer for Nutcracker, he had Jeff cueing the lights instead of hanging and refocusing them. Although this saved time, it also changed how the audience would perceive the production. Now, it’s about creating a lens—directing the audience where to look and when.

Jeff is the lighting supervisor and faculty member at the University of Alberta Drama Department, where he also does research. As part of his research, Jeff is looking into partnership grants between himself and Shumka, to create shows where lighting design and choreography are created together and complement each other. As much as Shumka has pushed Jeff, Jeff has also influenced the way Shumka’s productions are run behind-the-scenes.

Thank you for all you do, Jeff.