Inspiring creativity: How Damon Klassen utilizes on-campus roles to help students excel
As the Technical Director of Theater, General Manager of KBCU-FM, and AV Manager, Klassen gives back to Bethel in more ways than one.
Oftentimes, the construction and production of a performance goes unnoticed — or underappreciated. However, in reality, the construction and production that contributes to a production has a big impact on a number of factors.
These factors could include the ability to enhance or take away from a performance or the ability to entirely influence the way the audience perceives the setting, mood, and ambiance of a particular scene. Of course, carefully thought-out production and construction allows a performance to run smoothly.
As a way to better understand the technicalities behind theater and media services at Bethel College, I interviewed Damon Klassen.
Klassen wears many hats at Bethel, including the Technical Director of Theater, the General Manager of KBCU-FM, and the Audio/Visual (AV) Manager. In talking with him, I learned that he first attended Bethel from 1996 to 1998, but then transferred to the University of Kansas where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater.
Klassen’s passion for theater started at a very young age – he attended theater camps at Bethel when he was a child, and knew that he wanted to be involved in theater in some type of way when he grew up. When Klassen learned that there was a Theater-related job opening at Bethel, he eagerly jumped at the opportunity.
A lot of the work that Klassen does is “behind the scenes.” Many people don’t necessarily know what the job titles “Technical Director of Theater, General Manager of KBCU-FM, and AV Manager” entail. So, in the hopes of learning a bit more about these various jobs, I asked Klassen to give me a rundown of what he does for the institution.
“Technical Director of Theater makes me in charge of all the tech for the plays and the musicals. So with the help of the Theater Practicum class, we design the set, the sound, the lights, props, and all that stuff, and just make it all happen,” he said. “There’s also a radio practicum class that allows for the student-run radio station, KBCU, to happen.”
Klassen and the students who work with him make the plays, musicals, and the KBCU-FM radio show come to life and run smoothly. Without the arts, Bethel would simply not be the same, which is why Klassen encourages students to use their creativity to ensure the highest quality art productions.
“Just being around young energy and helping to inspire creativity in the students. That’s the best part.”
Damon Klassen
A central part of Klassen’s job is working one-on-one with students interested in areas such as theater, AV, or communication arts. Not only do the students gain a lot of knowledge from Klassen and enjoy working with him, but Klassen also finds working with students to be the greatest part of his job.
“The most rewarding part of my job is working with students, whether it's my AV student workers or radio students or theater students. … Just being around young energy and helping to inspire creativity in the students. That’s the best part.”
So, next time you see a Bethel production or listen to KBCU-FM radio in the car, it’s my hope that you better understand the love and labor that goes on behind the scenes so that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.