GABE SIMPSON
ABOUT ME
Contributing To Art I Believe In
I grew up in the wings of the stage so the arts have always been a part of my identity. I started my experience as a technician by volunteering with local dance studios during high school. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I took the opportunity to study the arts I love through an interdisciplinary, academic approach, as well as work as a stage manager professionally. I have been furthering my career at the Moss Arts Center of Blacksburg, Virginia as a stage manager and lighting assistant.
My objective is to contribute to meaningful art and ensure the best experience for audiences and artists alike.
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Learning and Living
August 2013 - June 2017
IB DIPLOMA, CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
I completed high school with a diploma from the International Baccalaureate program. The focus of my extended essay was the representations of the dead lesbian trope in three different television series.
August 2017Â - August 2021
B.A. GLOBAL STUDIES, B.A. HORROR STUDIES, SEXUALITY STUDIES MINOR, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
I have a Bachelor's degree in Global Studies with concentrations in Latin America and in Culture and Art. I focused especially on the Maya region and indigenous leftist activism.
I created my major in Horror Studies through the Interdisciplinary Studies major. Through this major, I studied the origins of the horror genre in politics, psychology, folklore, religion, and culture. I also studied the content of works in the horror genre in the fields of film, art, literature, theater, and music.
EXPERIENCE
What I’ve Done
PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN, CAROLINA THEATRE
April 2023 - Current
Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc. will be an active, relevant, and sustainable organization deeply engaged in the life of Durham and the residents of the Triangle. This historic venue will serve as the hub for diverse arts and entertainment experiences, presenting live events, film and educational programs to enrich and celebrate the region.
With the company I act as a stagehand, stage manager, and lighting technician.
PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN, MOSS ARTS CENTER
September 2021Â - March 2023
The Moss Arts Center's mission is to foster a thriving community where the arts are a catalyst for engagement, inspiration, and discovery. With the company I act as a stagehand, stage manager, and lighting assistant.
TECHNICIAN, CAROLINA PERFORMING ARTS
September 2017 - May 2021
Carolina Performing Arts is a department of the University of North Carolina whose mission is to curate and present exceptional arts experiences that inspire and provoke the UNC community and beyond and celebrate the intrinsic value of the creative process.
CPA presents events from local to international artists and speakers.
With the company I acted as a stagehand, stage manager, and audio operator. Once I gained seniority as a student staff member I trained and evaluated new staff members.
STAGE MANAGER. TRIANGLE YOUTH BALLET
December 2015 - October 2019
Volunteered as a stage manager and worked as a theater technician for various shows for Triangle Youth Ballet. Operated basic light and sound boards, pulled in scenery, helped clean stage and theater, kept track of props and performers, followed director's or head stage manager’s instructions, and responded quickly to problems and changes.
VOLUNTEER, TO THE POINTE
2014 - 2019, Various Dates
Teaching Assistant for a dance class. Camp counselor. Stagehand. Stage manager. Light technician. Audio technician.
PROFICIENCIES
Knowledge & Expertise
STAGE MANAGEMENT
As a stage manager, I oversee the entire show from rehearsal to curtain. I call cues for artists, light operators, audio operators, video operators, fly-rail operators, and all other stagehands.
AUDIO TECHNICIAN
As an audio technician, I have created cue programs of audio files necessary for the show in QLab. I also have mixed the audio feeds live during performances including live music acts.
LIGHTING ASSISTANT
As a lightning assistant, I assist the head lighting technician in building lighting set-ups, preparing color gels and inserts, focusing lights, and operating an EOS lightboard.
STAGEHAND
As a stagehand, I assist with the crews set up and strike of performances. This includes building stage elements, focusing lights, laying cable, and patching audio. During performances, I assist with whatever the stage manager and the artist need. This includes setting props and set elements, getting chairs or water or towels for artists, and setting up mics for artists among other things.
A BRIEF LIST OF SOME ARTISTS I HAVE WORKED WITH
Steep Canyon Rangers
Audra McDonald
Crowded House
Misty Copeland
The Martha Graham Dance Company
The Carolina Ballet
Nederlands Dans Theater
Tierra Whack
Big Dance Theater
Rosas (Rosas Danst Rosas)
The North Carolina Symphony
Chris Thile
Morgan Wade
Boots Riley and The Coup
TEDx
Robin Frohardt
Bassam Youssef
Toshi Reagon
Abigail Washburn
Pink Martini
Broadway tour of Waitress
Angélique Kidjo
Broadway tour of Hairspray