Penn State student watches and works on show about abolitionist Frances Harper

“Dance has this really impressive ability to convey so much more about poetry or prose,” PJ Jobson shared after watching the premiere performance of The Artistry and Activism of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper at the University of Delaware Sunday evening. “I can tell everyone on this production worked exceptionally hard to make this a meaningful performance, and I think that our audience will learn a lot and feel even more.”

Jobson, a third-year studying lighting design and stage management, works part-time as a member of the production crew at Eisenhower Auditorium.

His current project is working on lighting design for the Frances Harper show’s Penn State performance.

“(The show) sort of follows (Harper’s) life,” Jobson said. “And it focuses a lot on her specific words (and) tying them into dance. I’m looking forward to the creative choices that I’m going to be able to make with that.”

Jobson has worked at Eisenhower since the start of his freshman year.

“I like working there because I can take everything that I already know, and I can apply it there,” Jobson said. “And then I can also come in for a shift and say ‘Hey, I want to learn more about this.’”

Jobson said that a lot of shows he works on doesn’t involve a very extensive creative process for lighting design.

“You come in on the day, and then you hear what the band wants, and you make it happen, which is very fun and fulfilling,” Jobson said. “But (for this show), I get a lot of creative freedom … I am enjoying getting to really go into the process and work in the way that I would be working when I graduate.”

After graduation, Jobson wants to work on touring theater shows, and then maybe retire as a college professor in theater afterwards.

But until then, Jobson just takes it one show at a time.

The Artistry and Activism of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper will perform at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, in Eisenhower Auditorium. Visit Frances Harper online for more info or to purchase tickets.

Alex Fischer is a communications intern for the Center for the Performing Arts.