Lighting The Way To A Creative Future: An Interview With Ian Clark

The Drama Club has had to adapt to a difficult year, and many jobs, including stage lighting, can’t be done remotely. Despite this, Ian has continued to exercise his creativity in the spirit of his hero, Stan Lee.

Though+COVID-19+has+impacted+the+Drama+Club%2C+Ian+hasnt+stopped+being+active+in+the+club+community.+

Though COVID-19 has impacted the Drama Club, Ian hasn’t stopped being active in the club community.

Annaliese Simons, Bear Hub Staff

Q: WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE YOU HAD IN YOUR TIME AT EBHS?

A: Probably the first experience I had with Drama Club. Two weeks prior to starting Drama Club, I didn’t even realize I was supposed to be a part of it. I did the AV tech stuff, and so the senior lighting person, who also did AV, she told me, Friday before break, “Oh yeah, we do the Drama Club show,” and that completely threw me for a loop. I managed to fill out all the paperwork and get that to JD before break started. And then the first day back from break was the first day of Tech Week. But as I was leaving last period to go to Tech Week, my friend, who I’ve known since second grade, was waiting for me in the hallway, and he told me that Stan Lee had died. Stan Lee is pretty much my hero, in everything I do he’s pretty much the main creative influence. If it wasn’t for the things that Stan Lee has done, I wouldn’t be interested in making movies and telling stories the way I am today. So when my friend told me that, I nearly cried, and I thought, “Oh yeah, everything’s going to be horrible from here on, because that is such a big blow.” But then I joined Drama Club, for that first day, and it was an incredible experience because everyone was so welcoming and heartfelt, and JD took a moment of silence for Stan Lee, and when he did that I was like, “Ah. These are good people, and this is a good club, and somewhere I want to be and put my effort into.” So I think that’s always going to stick with me.

Q: WHAT DO YOU DO FOR THE DRAMA CLUB?

A: Well, normally I would do lighting. This year I would have been the senior lighting designer, but obviously we don’t have an in-person show for me to do the lighting for. But normally, I would be the senior lighting designer and program the lights, and help make sure everything goes smoothly, like for the musical. It’s so hard for the musical, because you have to make sure every cue goes on every specific line.

Q: IS THAT A VERY HECTIC JOB?

A: It is. Especially during a show, where things go wrong. Like during Hysterical Truths, there was an error in the spotlight during the show. Doing tech is very stressful, both for the sound people and the lighting people.

Q: DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MARVEL CHARACTER OR STAN LEE COMIC?

A: I think the crowning achievement that he’s done is obviously Spider-Man. I love comics, so my favorite character fluctuates every day, but I think the one that’s always on top the most is Spider-Man. In my opinion, he’s the greatest comic book character ever created, period. The way Stan Lee made him, he’s human. He’s such a flawed character. That’s what makes him so connectable. No one is perfect, and Peter Parker embodies that. He’s a superhero … but at the end of the day he’s still human.

As a key member of the Drama Club’s Tech Crew, Ian makes sure everything runs smoothly. We wish Ian a smooth transition into his future, and hope that his creativity continues to shine!