ABOUT
CHRIS MEISSNER graduated from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin in May 2014, where he received a Bachelor of Science in general Theatre Arts. With a main focus on lighting design and technical theatre, he also enjoys acting, directing, and playwrighting; and has been active in the Milwaukee and Waukesha areas of South-Eastern Wisconsin for over 15 years.
Chris has been involved in over 90 theatrical projects; professional and amateur. Starting with acting in junior high and continuing throughout high school, he grew a passion for acting and directing in community and academic theatres.
After graduating from Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin in June 2010, he continued studying Theatre Arts at Carroll University where he quickly became interested in lighting design and electrics. Along with a technical focus he continued with his passion for acting and experimented with directing and playwrighting, producing his original ten-minute and one-act plays Out in the Shower and Dad, Do You Love Me?
After graduating from college, he worked as an overhire theatrical electrician for UW-Milwaukee/Peck School of the Arts (Dance Dept.), Renaissance Theaterworks, Skylight Music Theatre, and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. He also returned to Carroll University for the spring semester of 2015 as the resident master electrician for the theatre department. He continued to create lighting designs for shows at various local theatres and also worked as a substitute teacher at the Hartland/Lakeside School District in Hartland, Wisconsin, where he became the stage crew advisor for North Shore Middle School’s theatre department.
In February 2017 he began working as a technician for Acme Corporation Production Resources where he manages sound, lighting, and staging equipment, while continuing to produce lighting designs for local community theatres. Since 2017 he has been the head lighting and sound designer for SummerStage of Delafield. In 2019 his position at SummerStage was expanded to Tech Booth Manager.
Chris’ favorite theatrical genres include musical theatre for the emotional journey brought upon by the meshing of live entertainment with a musical score; LGBTQ+ theatre as it presents a way of experimenting with, exploring, and discussing issues with gay rights, equality, tolerance, and advocacy of this personal and passionate topic; and childrens theatre as he believes that the arts give young adults a creative outlet as well as presents them a safe space to explore themselves and the world around them; allowing them to learn how to think and act creatively.
Lighting design and electrics are his current focus, but he still looks forward to acting, directing, set construction, and playwrighting.