“Lighting Lackey”: Having Fun at Work - Zach Chaplain

Zach Chaplain, a 2017 grad, is the perfect example of someone who has created a career from an academic interest merged with a creative love. In high school, Zach was heavily involved in theatre and music. He considered majoring in it, but decided to take more of a business approach with business and MIS systems. He was on campus for summer orientation, which took place in the Gallagher Bluedorn. Because of his interest in theatre and music, Zach was poking around and came across Chris Tuzicka (asst. technical director/lighting and electrical)-proof that there may be such a thing as fate. Chris (everyone calls him Zeke) showed him around and they talked about the programs and student jobs. Through that happenstance tour and discussion, Zach was hired that day to work on the backstage crew. On the tour Zach noticed a note on Chris’ desk that said “find lighting lackey”. When he stopped in the next day, he noticed that it was crossed off. And that’s how Zach became a lighting lackey.

Zach came to UNI with basic lighting knowledge, so he was able to start learning more advanced things early on. His first year, Zach worked on the backstage crew; starting the second year he worked as a crew supervisor and for the last 1.5 years he worked as a house manager. His two favorite projects were working with the Thespian Festival and the UNI Glee Club Christmas show. Glee Club was especially fun because he got to help produce a show and be in it too. How often to you get to hear someone say “I probably worked 60 hours and it was so much fun”? Zach did. During his third year, Chris was on paternity leave part of the time and Zach got to add some extra responsibilities to help out. As a student it meant a lot to be trusted. Zach was also able to do some work with the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony and Hawkeye Community College. 

Zach remembered that he had told executive director Steve Carignan that his goal was to have his job someday. Steve helps with graduation ceremonies, and at graduation Steve said to him “Hang on, I’m not ready to retire yet”. 

After graduation, Zach worked for his hometown school district, Pleasant Valley and then Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City where he worked as a full-time backstage technician. He’s positive that his work at the Gallagher Bluedorn is what got him the Hancher job. Zach has since returned to the quad cities-and is working again with the Pleasant Valley school district as the tech director. One of his proud moments was when his student team took 2nd place in the state technical challenge competition. With Pleasant Valley, Zach helps produce a minimum of 8-10 shows a year including traditional HS productions, improv nights and variety shows. At this writing he’s designing lighting for the show The Savannah Sipping Society for Circa 21 Playhouse in Rock Island, IL. 

Through his variety of experiences at the Gallagher Bluedorn and after graduation, Zach has seen all sides of the performing arts business. He’s hoping that his business degree combined with that knowledge will situate him well to assume more responsibilities as time goes on. All kidding aside, a job like Steve’s might really be on the horizon.

Written by Margaret Empie