WHAT DOES HE DO?
“The majority of my job is to take care of everything that goes on behind the stage for university shows. I provide a crew of stage hands, lighting and sound people. Also, I work as stage manager so I’m on the stage during each event, making sure all the people are in and they have everything they need.”
DOES HE DIRECT THE PERFORMANCES?
“I’m technical support. I don’t direct shows. I work as an advisor if they need that. Once they get in the door, I coordinate everything backstage — lighting cues, costumes, making sure the sets are installed and the sound is right. My only role in their preparation is as an advisor. I’m not involved in rehearsals.”
RESUME OF A TECHIE
Davidson comes to UNF by way of the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts, a one-stage venue at Georgia State University where he was the production manager. His first job out of school was in the electronics department of Goodspeed Opera Company. Davidson has also served as a freelance technician and as a lighting designer/consultant for regional and national touring acts. “I lived in Arkansas, California and Virginia. I was in Connecticut for a while as an intern and in Atlanta for four years as a freelance technician. Taking this job, even though it’s the same duties, there are more responsibilities because it’s a bigger space. Here we have the Lazzara auditorium and the small recital hall.”
HOME STATE
Minnesota.
EDUCATION
Davidson graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in drama, concentrating on lighting and directing.
WHY GO INTO THIS FIELD?
“I’ve been doing theater in various forms since I was 12. I really got into it and enjoyed it a lot. In college, I had an eye towards acting and directing but while I was there I became very involved in set construction, sound and lighting. It can be hard to make a living as an actor or director. I wanted to do something I loved and this was the best way to go about it.”
WHAT’S MOST REWARDING ABOUT IT?
“When I’m sitting in the audience during a show, seeing people who obviously don’t come often and they’re enraptured. They have that light in their eyes. We’ve become such a TV and movie world, live performances aren’t as popular anymore. So when you experience that silence during a show when an audience is so caught up in it, it’s something to write home about.”
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
“The thing that’s challenging is constantly learning. I guess that’s true for every job, but here, the obstacles happen every day. You have to come up with answers on the fly. Especially with a brand new facility, there may be little things that are different or unfinished. We have to make it so the audience doesn’t notice. You never catch all the glitches right out of the gate.”
RESIDENCE
Jacksonville Beach.
HOBBIES?
“I’m an avid sports fan. I play softball and racquetball. I also have a love for old jazz recordings; I’m working on the world’s greatest collection.” He also enjoys authentic Mexican food. “I haven’t found a place on the East Coast yet.”
HIS PET PEEVE?
“People that aren’t motivated to do things themselves or people who aren’t prepared. When you’re under time constraints, you need people who can get the job done.”
WHAT’S HIS
FAVORITE PLAY?
“ ‘Oleanna.’ It’s more relevant now than when it was written.”
WHAT MOVIE TOPS
HIS LIST?
“My favorite popcorn flick is ‘Bull Durham’ but my favorite classic is ‘Citizen Kane.’ It’s not the greatest story ever but their technique dazzles me every time.”
EVER HAD ANY BRUSHES WITH FAME?
“You get a lot of that in this business. My very first show at Rialto was a Bernadette Peters concert. She was a really neat lady. She was really sweet and down-to-earth.”
HIS HERO?
“I really respect Jimmy Carter even though I don’t always agree with what he does. But he has courage of conviction and does what he thinks is right rather than bowing to public pressure.”
— by Monica Chamness