Lindsey Lanson

Lanson’s innovative teaching idea, “Lights, Sound, Action: Career Skills Through Live Theater,” uses technical theatre production as a hands-on learning experience to build career-ready science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-aligned skills for high school students. Through the design and execution of a live performance, students will rotate through roles such as lighting, sound, set construction and stage management, developing problem-solving, collaboration and workplace safety skills. Lanson says the project provides an innovative, project-based learning environment that connects classroom instruction to real-world careers while increasing student engagement, confidence and access to meaningful skill development. Lanson will use the Voya grant to purchase basic technical theater equipment, construction materials, safety supplies and instructional tools needed for lighting, sound and set design activities.