PROFILE:
Director, designer, performer, and creator of new work.
Craftsman with a performance background who has developed into a leader of collaborative partnerships and initiatives.
Instigator of new cultures, stories, and experiences that increase access and empower the collective.
Award-winning educator and a champion for non-violent communication in collaborative workspaces.
A technological humanist who believes in using the power of technology not to distract, but to create deeper connection between the individual, and their communities.
Lauren B Photography.
SUMMARY
Ensemble-driven director, deviser, and interdisciplinary designer specializing in collaborative creation, psycho-physical training, and technically innovative performance.
EDUCATION
- M.F.A. in Theatre – Directing + Lighting + Media Design
University of Iowa (in progress, 2026) - B.A. | Theatre Studies – University of Iowa (2011)
TRAINING | CERTIFICATES | AFFILIATIONS
- ASSOCIATE MEMBER – Stage Director’s and Choreographer’s Society
- SHAKESPEARE TRANSLATION WORKSHOP – Play On Shakespeare [2024]
- NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION CERTIFICATE – CNVC – [2024]
- DEVISING INTENSIVE – The Team [2023]
- DESIGN OF USER EXPERIENCES, Graduate Certificate – Metro State University [2023]
- ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE TRAINING – Soma Studios [2023]
- OMNI HYPNOSIS FUNDAMENTALS COURSE – Normandale Community College [2017]
- BUFFON + CLOWN TRAINING- Naked Empire Buffoun [2015]
- THEATRE GRAND GUIGNOL TRAINING – The Grand Guignolers, Los Angeles [2013]
- THEATRICAL RIGGING ESSENTIALS – Bill Sapsis Seminar [2009]
Employment
- Trollwood Performing Arts, Bluestem Center for the Arts | Lighting Director (2025)
- University of Iowa (2023-2026) | Teaching Assistant, Stage Electrician, Production Photographer, Archival Assistant
- North Hennepin Community College (2015-2023) | Theatre Faculty, Technical Director, Producer, Web Designer, Production Manager, Curator, Director of Theatre
- Red Eye Theater (2014-2021) | Production Manager, Technical Director, Festival Lead
- Roseville Schools ISD 623 (2013-Present) | Director, Educator, Consultant
- Bedlam Theatre (2013-2015) | Lighting Supervisor and Resource Liason
- Images By Lighting (2012-2013) | Event Lighting Specialist
- Artworks Theatre and Studios, Los Angeles CA, (2011-2013) | Site Manager, Technical Coordinator
- Dell’Arte International (2007–2008) | Technical Director, Festival/ Tour Manager
Highlights
- Co-Curated, Produced and launched the Stages of Equity Festival, a 3-day visual & performing arts festival that raises up the powerful work of BIPOC artists.
- Co-Founder, Board Member, and Residency Coordinator for Tamarack Land Cooperative — 40 acres of land in rural MN managed and maintained as a community asset.
- Ushered hundreds of cutting-edge emerging local artists through Red Eye Theater’s New Works Four Weeks Festival program serving as designer and coordinator for 7 years.
- Technical Director of Live Action Set’s Award-Winning Immersive Theater Experience – Crime and Punishment, an 8,000sq/ft subterranean, choose-your-own-adventure production.
- Artist in residence commission, The Soap Factory (MN) for the self-produced production of Atomic Priests Live! A subterranean nuclear waste immersive fantasy ritual.
- Technical Director of immersive technological spaceship and puzzle room:Modern Antic’s The Riddle Room.
- Co-organizer and founder of Thirdspace LLC, an artist studio space giving affordable creative space to 36+ artists for six years pre-pandemic.
Honors & Awards
- PERFORMING ARTS SUMMER RESEARCH AWARD 2025-2026, The University of Iowa, On Location Research and Study for Romeo and Juliet
- MFA SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP: 2024, The University of Iowa, Comparative Research and Training in Nonviolent Communication
- DAVID THAYER LIGHTING SCHOLARSHIP: 2023-24, The University of Iowa
- HARMON THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP: 2023 The University of Iowa
- ARROWHEAD REGIONAL ARTS GRANT: 2022 – Tamarack Land Cooperative Artist In Residency Program – Hovland, MN
- OUTSTANDING DIVERSITY PROGRAMMING OF THE YEAR AWARD: 2021, North Hennepin Community College Office of Student Life (Stages of Equity)
- HIGHER EDUCATION EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY AWARD: 2021, Insight Into Diversity Magazine, North Hennepin Community College (Stages of Equity)
- ABOVE AND BEYOND EDUCATOR AWARD: 2021, Phi Theta Kappa XI Chapter
- KCACTF AWARD – DEVISING AND COLLABORATION: 2019, The Doors of Ambiguity, North Hennepin Community College
- KCACTF AWARD FOR SCENIC & LIGHTING, & INVITED PRODUCTION: 2016, Exit 27, North Hennepin Community College
- IVY AWARD FOR PRODUCTION DESIGN,: 2015- Live Action Set’s Crime and Punishment, Minneapolis, MN
- LIVED DESIGN MAGAZINE, Featured Production: “Total Immersion: Crime and Punishment” – Live Action Set’s Crime and Punishment, Minneapolis, MN
- ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: 2017, Look Out Arts Quarry, Bellingham, WA
SERVICE
- DIVERSITY, OPPORTUNITY, ACCESS COMMITTEE MEMBER
- UNIVERSITY OF IOWA – Iowa City, IA [2024-2026]
- Helping address the opportunity and access gaps between students of different race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socio-economic background and capability. Creating meaningful conversations regarding facility, curriculum, and artistic programming within the department to better reflect the student body and world we live in.
- FESTIVAL READER AND JUDGE
- Kennedy Center American Theatre Festival — [2024]
- CO-FOUNDER, ARTIST IN RESIDENCY COORDINATOR
- TAMARACK LAND COOPERATIVE — Hovland, MN [2020-2024]
- Managing and maintaining 40 acres of Superior National Forest as a community asset. Coordinated and performed logistics for the Artist in Residency Program, including implementing sliding-scale subsidized residencies for low-income artists.
- CO-FOUNDER, BOARD CHAIR, TREASURER
- THIRDSPACE LLC — Minneapolis, MN [2016-2020]
- A collectively run artist initiative providing low-rate artist studio space. Organized artists, implemented decision-making structures, created bylaws, and served as Treasurer and Board Chair. Provided affordable creative space for over 80 artists.
- RENOVATION AND EXPANSION COMMITTEE — North Hennepin Community College
- VENUE LIGHTING CONSULTANT AND INSTALL — 825 ARTS, Saint Paul MN
- VENUE LIGHTING CONSULTANT — The Yes House! Granite Falls MN
- COMMUNICATION / PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOPS — Minnesota Historical Society
- VENUE LIGHTING CONSULTANT — Shakespeare Youth Theatre, Saint Paul MN
- TECHNICAL THEATRE CONSULTANT AND DESIGN — Roseville High School, MN
NOTABLE COLLABORATIONS
Robert Wilson, Rinde Eckert, Martha Clarke, Chris Akerlind, Ed McCarthy, Jack Mehler, Walker Art Center, The Playwrights Center MN, The Cowles Center, Dell’Arte International, The Soap Factory, Red Bastard, Big Cats, Eric Mayson, Live Action Set, Ashwini Ramaswamy (Ragamala Dance), Red Eye Theatre, Dangerous Productions, Stages Theatre MN, Theatre MU, Art Via Corpora (ARTEL)
Positions held: Director, lighting designer, sound designer, projection designer, scenic designer, teacher/educator, technical director, photographer, video maker + editor, user researcher, cooperative + collective organization leader, web designer, project manager, and consultant.
SKILLS
Communication: Nonviolent Communication, Conflict Mediation, Non-Confrontational Negotiation, Consensus Decision Making
Additional skills: carpentry, painting, rigging, electrics, building sciences, permaculture design, choice architecture, copywriting, forest management, trail making, orienteering
Technology: Vectorworks, Final Cut Pro X, Logic, Isadora, Pandora’s Box, Watchout, Adobe Lightroom, TouchDesigner, ETC Lighting Consoles, QLab, Celtx, Google Suites, Microsoft Office Suite, WordPress, Procreate, Concepts, Asana, Trello,
Courses Taught + *Assisted
- Installations + Interactive Performance | University of Iowa
- Entertainment Design | Teaching Assistant, University of Iowa
- Lighting Design I* | Teaching Assistant, University of Iowa
- Theatre and Society | Teaching Assistant, University of Iowa
- Acting 1 | North Hennepin Community College
- Voice and Movement | North Hennepin Community College
- Design for Theatre | North Hennepin Community College
- Stagecraft | North Hennepin Community College
- Directing 1 | North Hennepin Community College
- Devised Theatre – Intensive | North Hennepin Community College + MN Thespian Society
- Ensemble Generated Lighting – Workshop | MN Thespian Society
- Fundamental Improv | Tapioca Players, MN
- Youth Theatre Camp | Rosetown Playhouse, MN
- Stage Lighting Practicum | Roseville High School, Roseville Middle School
PUBLICATION:
- An Eerie Foreshadowing in Light and Sound: Creating a Container for Ibsen’s Irony — UNBOUNDED: Uiowa Theatre Arts Journal, May 2025
- Total Immersion: Crime and Punishment | Live Design Magazine.
- CHROMERA’s Peek is a Strange Sci-Fi Adventure | twin cities geek
- Uphill Spaces Downhill Spaces | Sponsored Contribution | Good Job Zine Issue 3
- Dirty Laundry | A Reaction Poem | Good Job Zine Issue 4
Language Proficiencies
- English (ILR 5) — Native Speaker
- Spanish (ILR 2) — Limited Working Proficiency
PROJECT HISTORY
2025
- PlayLabs! Festival | Playwrights Center, Minneapolis — Lighting Designer
- ROMEO & JULIET by William Shakespeare, Translated by Søren Olsen | University of Iowa — Director and Composer (thesis production)
- MAMMA MIA! by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus | Trollwood Performing Arts School — Lighting Director
- ARATORIO FOR THE MISREMEMBERED by Sandy Dietrich | University of Iowa — Projection, Sound, and Lighting Design
- ROSEVILLE AREA SCHOOLS — Auditorium Theatrical Ground Plan Creation — Draftsman
- AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE an Adapted from Ibsen | University of Iowa
Composer, Lighting, & Sound Design - THE INDOCTRINATION OF BANANAS by Ensemble | University of Iowa
Director, Composer, Sound, and Lighting Design - THE CRUCIBLE & JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN by Arthur Miller & Kimberley Belflower | Roseville Area High School — Scenic Design
- HAPPY CRAZY NEW YEAR by Dangerous Productions | 825 Arts, Saint Paul MN — Lighting Design
2024
- Little BathHouse On The Prairie by Brady Van Patten | University of Iowa
Lighting Design - Marie Antoinette by David Adjmi | University of Iowa
Lighting, Media Design - Romeo + Juliet // A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare | Shakespearean Youth Theatre — Lighting Design
- 825 Arts | Lighting Install
- WELL SPOKEN by Alex Ledgewood| University of Iowa —
Director - ANTI-HERO: REVENGE OF THE SWIFTIES by Derik Edgren Otero| University of Iowa —Lighting Design
- ALL MACHINES OF LOVING GRACE | University Of Iowa
Director, Sound, Media, + Co-Scenic/Lighting - MOTION MUSIC | Self-Produced w/ Collaborators | University of Iowa
Installation + Media Design - THE OBITUARY by Xiaoyan Kang | University of Iowa
Scenic Design + Lighting Consultant
2023
- WORLD CYMATICS | Self-Produced w/ Collaborators
Direction, Media + Interactive Design - RIOT OF SPRING by Mikey Rioux
Media Design - ABOARD DISCOVERY | Self-Produced w/ Collaborators
Direction, Lighting, Interactive + Media Design - LOVE LABOR’S LOST by Shakespeare | Shakespearean Youth Theatre
Lighting Design + Scenic Consultancy - COMEDY OF ERRORS by Shakespeare | Shakespearean Youth Theatre
Lighting Design + Scenic Consultancy - THE MUSIC MAN by Meredith Wilson | Rosetown Playhouse
Scenic Design, Transition Choreography - SHE KILLS MONSTERS by Qui Nguyen | North Hennepin Community College
Director + Lighting / Sound / Media Design - STAGES OF EQUITY 2023 | North Hennepin Community College
Producer, Technical Director + Designer - VICTORIA THEATRE ARTS CENTER Build Out and Planning Committee
Theatrical Stage Lighting & Technical Consultancy - YES HOUSE! | For Performing Arts, Granite Falls MN
Theatrical Lighting Consultancy
2022
- THEORY OF RELATIVITY by Neil Bartram | North Hennepin Community College
Technical Direction + Lighting / Projection Design - MIGRACIONES by Davey Steinman / Paradox Teatro
Lighting Design - HONEY by Scott Stafford @ Red Eye Theatre
Lighting Design - MACBETH by William Shakespeare | Shakespearean Youth Theatre
Lighting / Scenic Design + Production Consultant - JULIUS CAESAR by William Shakespeare | Shakespearean Youth
Scenic Design + Production Consultant - STAGES OF EQUITY | North Hennepin Community College
Co-Curator + Producer + Technical Director - EVERYBODY by Branden Jacob Jenkins | North Hennepin Community College*
Lighting / Scenic Design + Technical Director - GENERIC MINNEAPOLIS by Emily Gastineau | Red Eye Theatre
Lighting Designer - AS YOU LIKE IT by William Shakespeare | Shakespearean Youth Theatre
Lighting Design + Production Consultant
2021
- LOVE SONNETS by Charles Mee | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Scenic Design + Technical Director - DRACULA Adapted by Søren Olsen |North Hennepin Community College
Director + Playwright + Lighting / Sound / Scenic Design - STAGES OF EQUITY | North Hennepin Community College
Curator + Producer + Technical Director - LOSS FOUND by Dr. Irma Mayorga| North Hennepin Community College
Editor + Technical Director - DEAD NORTH | Dangerous Productions
Audio Engineer + Sound Designer
2020
- THE WELLSTONE PROJECT | North Hennepin Community College
Designer + Editor - SIDDHARTHA adapted from Herman Hesse | North Hennepin Community College
Director + Playwright + Music + Sound Design - HAMLET by William Shakespeare | Shakespeare Youth Theatre
Lighting Design - LEVELING UP by Deborah Zoe Laufer | North Hennepin Community College
Director + Lighting, Sound, Scenic Design - DONTRELL WHO KISSED THE SEA by Nathan Allan Davis | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Sound, Scenic Design
2019
- INTO THE DARKNESS by Katherine Sherman | Collective Unconscious
Lighting Design + Production Consultant - WORKING, THE MUSICAL by Stephen Schwartz | Roseville Area High School
Director + Lighting, Scenic Designer - THE WOLVES by Sarah DeLappe | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Scenic, Media Design + Technical Direction - THE UNDERNATURE | The Lesser Lamps
Director + Playwright + Performer + Lighting, Sound, Scenic, Media Design - NEW WORKS FOUR WEEKS FESTIVAL | Red Eye Theatre
Festival Coordinator + Lighting Design - IT’S ALL REAL, IT’s ALL FAKE, IT’s ALL DANCEBUMS | DaNCEBUMS
Lighting Design - HIDDEN HEROES by Sha Cage | Stages Theatre Company
Lighting Design - SWEENEY TODD by Sondheim and Wheeler | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Scenic, Sound Design + Technical Direction - TWO NOBEL KINSMAN by William Shakespeare | Shakespearean Youth Theatre
Lighting Design + Production Consultant - DOORS OF AMBIGUITY | North Hennepin Community College
Director + Playwright + Lighting, Sound, Scenic Design
2018
- GOD OF CARNAGE By Yasmina Reza | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Scenic, Sound Design - ONCE ON THIS ISLAND by Lynn Ahrens | Roseville Area High School
Director + Lighting Design - ALICE IN WONDERLAND adapted by Kathy Hendrickson | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting / Production Design + Technical Director - HER’S A QUEEN | Red Eye Theatre
Lighting Design + Space Coordinator - CHROMERA’S PEEK | The Lesser Lamps
Director + Playwright + Lighting, Scenic, Sound, Medai Designer - NEW WORKS FOUR WEEKS FESTIVAL | Red Eye Theater
Production Coordinator + Lighting Design - THE TEMPEST by William Shakespeare | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Scenic, Sound Design + Technical Director - THREADS OF MY CLOTH | Borealis Dance
Lighting Design - RELAY RELAY | Red Eye Theater
Lighting Design - TWELFTH NIGHT by William Shakespeare | Shakespearean Youth Theatre
Lighting Design + Production Consultant - CHATEAU LA ROACH by Lauren Wilson | Rosetown Playhouse
Lighting Design - ORPHANS by Lyle Kessler | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting , Scenic Design - HYSTERIA, GUESS WHO!? | North Hennepin Community College
Director + Playwright + Lighting, Scenic, Sound Design
2017
- PANZA MONOLOGUES by Irma Mayorga | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Scenic Design + Technical Director - WE WON’T PAY! WE WON’T PAY! by Dario Fo | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Scenic, Sound Design + Technical Director - LIFE’s PARADE | Red Eye Theater
Lighting Design - HOW IS IT EVER ANY DIFFERENT THAN? | 600 Whale
Creator + Performer + Lighting, Scenic, Sound Design - NEW WORKS FOUR WEEKS FESTIVAL | Red Eye Theater
Festival Coordinator + Lighting Design - WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN by David Yazbek | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Scenic, Sound Design + Technical Direction - ON THE LINE by Joe Roland | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Scenic, Sound Design + Technical Direction - ATOMIC PRIESTS LIVE! by 600 Whale | The Soap Factory
Director + Playwright + Performer + Costume, Lighting, Scenic Design
2016
- SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD by Katherine Sherman | Collective Unconscious
Lighting Design - EXIT 27 by Aleks Merilo | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting , Scenic, Sound Design + Technical Direction - EARLY MORNING SONG by Rachel Jendrzejewski | Red Eye Theater
Lighting Design + Technical Coordinator - A LYSISTRATA adapted by Kathy Hendrickson | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Scenic Design + Technical Direction - ENSO PAYS THREE CREDITS | Thirdspace LLC
Director + Performer + Playwright + Designer - MY LIFE IN A BAG | Rosetown Playhouse
Video + Technical Director - SUMMER ARTS | Rosetown Playhouse
Director + Designer - NEW WORKS FOUR WEEKS FESTIVAL | Red Eye Theater
Lighting Design - THE MAN WHISTLING TUNES THE PIANO | 600 WHALE
Director + Performer + Lighting, Sound Designer - BASEMENT CREATURES | Davey Steinman
Lighting Design - AN IMMIGRANT JOURNEY | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Scenic Design + Technical Director - MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM | Dangerous Production + MN Thespian Society
Lighting, Scenic Design + Mentor - CROOKED FACE DUMB FUCK | Big Cats
Director + Videographer + Editor
2015
- THIS IS HOW IT GOES by Neil LaBute | North Hennepin Community College
Lighting, Scenic, Sound Design + Technical Director - FRANKENSTEIN | NHCC
Lighting, Scenic, Sound Design + Technical Director - THE DOLDRUMS, OR THE MARINER | 600 Whale
Director + Performer + Playwright + Designer - THE HAUNTED BASEMENT | The Soap Factory
Sound Design + Technical Director - THE RIDDLE ROOM | Modern Antics
Technical Director - NEW WORKS FOUR WEEKS | Red Eye Theater
Lighting Design - SPRING AWAKENING by Steven Sater | MN Thespian Society
Lighting, Scenic Design - FOB by David Henry Hwang | Theatre Mu
Lighting Design - CRIME AND PUNISHMENT | Live Action Set + Dangerous Productions
Technical Director - BEAVERDANCE by Corrie Zoll | Bedlam Theatre
Lighting Design
Please look through older posts for more production history…
SØREN OLSEN 