Theatre and Film, Johnny Carson School of
Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film: Theses, Student Research, and Creative Work
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First Advisor
Michelle Harvey
Committee Members
Jamie Bullins, Milinda Weeks, Bryce Allen
Date of this Version
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Citation
A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts
Major: Theatre Arts
Under the supervision of Professor Michelle Harvey
Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2026
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis will be to observe, analyze, and evaluate the design process and production for the musical Bright Star Written and composed by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Produced by the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film’s in house production company the Nebraska Repertory Theatre Company in collaboration with the University of Nebraska’s Glen Korff School of Music. Performed in the Howell Memorial Theatre from April 16th, 2026, to April 26th, 2026. Bright star was directed by Bobby Pieranunzi, the dance captain for the original Broadway performance of Bright Star in 2016, with musical direction by Dr. Suna Gunther. The creative team consisted of Sariah Roberts as the Scenic Designer, Jamie Bullins as the costume designer, and Dean Bressler (Myself) as the Lighting Designer. The production team included Hayden Honomichl and Shelby Hindman as the Technical Directors, and Savannah Stermer as Stage Manager. The lighting team consisted of Dean Bressler (Myself) as the Lighting Designer, Abbie Phelan and Reece McAdams as my associate
Lighting Designers, Lilli Rowan as my EOS Programmer, Kyle Nelson as my Head Electrician, with Alyssa Hemmer acting as his assistant, and Jared Wolt as the Lighting Shop Supervisor. The Electrics Crew was supplied through The Johhny Carson School of Theatre and Film and included both practicum students and experienced shop workers.
This thesis documents the lighting designer’s design implementation process, including various research documentation, previsualization, lighting plots, lighting paperwork, production photos, and documentation of production meetings and technical rehearsals.
Advisor: Michelle Harvey
Comments
Copyright 2026, Dean J Bressler. Used by permission