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    Columbus Makes Art Presents Isaac Ramsey Returns to Otterbein Theatre as Scenic Designer


    Isaac Ramsey, scenic designer at Otterbein Theatre

    “on working as a scenic designer – It all comes down to the story the team wants to tell and the words the author has given us”

    — Isaac Ramsey, Theatrical artist, painter, and muralist

    Isaac Ramsey, a theatrical artist, painter, and muralist, is the newest addition to the Otterbein Theatre and Dance faculty. His work will first be seen on the Otterbein stage for the upcoming musical production, Bright Star, performed March 29 – April 2 and April 12-16.

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    Elizabeth: How do you describe your work as a scenic designer?
    Isaac: The simple answer is I work with the creative team to imagine the physical world of the play. The more complex version is that set designers are looking to tell the story of the play in the physical environment the actors are performing. I try to imagine what the play absolutely needs and then imagine a world that can range from highly realistic and architectural to one that is completely imaginative and expressionistic. It all comes down to the story the team wants to tell and the words the author has given us.

    Elizabeth: Who or what influenced your decision to become a scenic designer, and how has your work been shaped because of them?
    Isaac: I’ve had a number of incredible mentors in my career. Gion Defrancesco and Dr. Paul Jackson at Miami really helped me learn how to analyze a script and think visually. Michael Franklin-White taught me to paint and how to apply my work as a scenic painter to a design, and Jack Nardi really influenced how I communicate with a technical director to get a show built. My wife teaches middle school, but has a BFA in stage management, and she is the best at helping me think from different perspectives in the production process. Her input is always spot-on.

    Elizabeth: When not designing or painting for theater, what do you do for fun?
    Isaac: We have a toddler and a newborn at home that take up pretty much every moment of spare time currently! I heard the phrase “one is hard and two is impossible” and that pretty much sums it up in our house! When I can, I enjoy homebrewing and beer judging which I’ve been doing for quite a while now. I’m the type of person that tries to fix things if I can, which is a skill I took from the theater. I also enjoy theater and headshot photography as another creative outlet. I ran the Akron marathon in 2012 and hope to run Columbus before too long.

    Elizabeth: Since your return to the central Ohio area, what have you observed as the biggest change in the local art scene?
    Isaac: It definitely seems to be seeing healthy growth. I haven’t been able to get out as much with a toddler and newborn at home, but the area seems full of opportunities for patrons and artists and I’m looking forward to getting as involved locally as I was in Georgia. It is exciting to see all that is available in the region.

    Isaac Ramsey is a faculty member of Otterbein Theatre & Dance
    Isaac Ramsey is a faculty member of Otterbein Theatre & Dance

    Elizabeth: When working, what music is on your playlist?
    Isaac: If I’m working on a musical, I exclusively listen to the soundtrack of the show. Otherwise, I tend to gravitate toward folk or classical piano when working. A former student of mine, Jack Schneider, has a great new album, “Best Be on My Way,” that I’ve had on a lot in the studio.

    See Isaac’s work at the Otterbein Theatre & Dance production of Bright Star, in the Campus Center Theatre, 100 W. Home St., Westerville, OH, March 29 – Apr. 2 and Apr. 12-16. For more information, visit www.otterbein.edu/drama or call the box office: (614) 823-1109.

    Columbus Makes Art Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting and advancing the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. The column is a project of the Art Makes Columbus campaign, telling the inspiring stories of the people and organizations who create Columbus art. Learn more about local artists, organizations, public art and events at ColumbusMakesArt.com.

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    Elizabeth Saltzgiver
    Elizabeth Saltzgiver
    Elizabeth Saltzgiver is managing director for Otterbein University Theater & Dance.
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