Kyle Hurt was born and raised in Northwest Indiana and has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in Design/Technology from Purdue University Fort Wayne.
He currently serves as the Auditorium Manager for Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park, IL and oversees the operations of three performing arts venues.
Education & Training
While attending PFW’s Department of Theatre, he gained knowledge in all aspects of technical theatre which has made him a well-rounded technician. He has vast experience in the hanging, focusing, and programming of lighting instruments in proscenium and black box spaces as well as operating an ETC Ion Console, which he has programmed and operated. He has experience in sound design and sound technology such as operating digital and analog sound mixers and using programs such as Q-lab. He also has experience using projectors, cameras, video mixers, and editing software.
Kyle worked in the scene shop and helped build sets for multiple productions while attending PFW. He knows how to operate all shop equipment safely and knows how to build set pieces such as: flats, platforms, staircases, and doorways. He has extensive experience using CAD programs like Vectorworks and also knows hand-drafting techniques to best illustrate and communicate his designs. He knows how to safely operate counterweight fly-systems and how to rig scenery onto line-sets.
While serving as Master Electrician, he was tasked with completing the necessary paperwork such as inventory, light plots, and instrument schedules that are needed to communicate with others. He also served as lighting designer for a production of The Secret in the Wings where he gained the skills needed to communicate with the director and other members of the production team. During this production, he also served as Master Electrician and oversaw underclassmen students in the hanging and focusing of lighting instruments. While serving as assistant stage manager for a production of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, he had to oversee backstage operations each night of the production. He also has taken several theatre management courses where he learned the inner workings of managing/operating a theatre as it relates to budgeting, advertising, and scheduling.
Work Experience
Upon graduating, he served as Technical Director for Boyle County Schools in Danville, KY. He oversaw the completion of the brand new 500-seat Boyle County Performing Arts Center and served as technician for all events and productions. The event schedule consisted of district performing arts concerts/productions, local rentals, and professional touring companies such as the Lexington Ballet. He also assisted with the load-in/out of the broadway touring production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at the Norton Center in Danville, KY.
He currently serves as Auditorium Manager at Oak Park and River Forest High School where He oversees a 1,600-seat auditorium, a 350-seat little theatre, and a 75-seat studio theatre. He is tasked with managing the master calendar, identifying and planning facility upgrades/maintenance, and overseeing a budget of roughly $50,000. He oversees a full-time Technical Director, and two part time Assistant Technical Directors. He serves as co-stage crew sponsor, where he assists with five theatre productions a year as well as a number of other major performing arts productions. He also oversees a number of student employees who he has interviewed and hired to serve as event technicians and box office support.
He is passionate about working with students and helping foster an appreciation and/or love for the performing arts. He has chosen a career in educational theatre because he believes in the importance of giving young people a voice and a safe space to be themselves.
KHLightDesign 