Hughes 2.0: CCM partners with high school on light and laser show during FotoFocus and BLINK

Hughes STEM High School will light up with lasers and projections on Oct. 14-16

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) Theatre Design and Production students and Hughes STEM High School art students are collaborating on a light and laser show that will be projected onto Hughes’ beautiful and historic façade during Cincinnati’s FotoFocus Biennial and the BLINK Festival.

A CCM student-designed poster for The Hughes Project.

A CCM student-designed poster for The Hughes Project 2.0.

Hughes 2.0 will light up Clifton in a dazzling display of creativity on Oct. 14-16, 2022. The building is one of the premier examples of Gothic Tutor architecture in the country and boasts a 145-foot tower designed by J. Walter Stevens that can be seen for miles. Hughes 2.0 is a participating venue in the 2022 FotoFocus Biennial and is also supported by BLINK.

“BLINK is proud to be a supporter of the Hughes Project," says Justin Brookhart, Executive Director of BLINK. "While it is not taking place within the footprint of BLINK we love the spirit, creativity and community focus of the installation and would encourage folks to check it out in person this weekend.”

Inspired by FotoFocus Biennial’s World Record theme, which focuses on recording life on Earth while exploring humankind’s impact on the natural world, Hughes 2.0 features self-captured photography that gives a glimpse into the daily lives of Hughes high school arts students. CCM students will create light projections and laser designs based on the images from the high school students. The installation is themed around “zooming in” and “zooming out,” focusing on a fictionalized future city and the stories held within it.

Hughes 2.0 is made possible by the generous support of Fotofocus Biennial, Hughes STEM High School, Image EngineeringVincent Lighting SystemsBLINK, CCM and Breath Collective — a non-profit Cincinnati vocal ensemble led by CCM Choral Studies student Trevor Kroeger, who serves as the music coordinator for the project.

The collaboration began in 2021 when CCM Lighting Design and Technology Professor Sharon Huizinga connected with industry colleagues to discuss how to make careers accessible to those who may dream of working in the arts, but may not know where to begin. She wanted to connect with young students and show them that a career in the arts is possible for a wide variety of personalities and goals.

Huizinga connected with Hughes STEM High School art teacher Mary Green and they partnered to organize students in the creation of the first Hughes Project light installation in April 2021. CCM Media Production students, led by Professor Don Hancock, created a mini-documentary about the 2021 project, which is available to watch online.

"These are my two best friends they play a very important role in my life and in it always." - Zoe Evans, Hughes STEM High School student

"These are my two best friends they play a very important role in my life and in it always." - Zoe Evans, Hughes STEM High School student

"This is me and my bestie Tyrrah  making a heart with our hands during Art class." - Armonie Washington, Hughes STEM High School student

"This is me and my bestie Tyrrah making a heart with our hands during Art class." - Armonie Washington, Hughes STEM High School student

"The reason I picked this photo is because I play the guitar and so I thought it would be cool if I share this photo." -  Yeyson Perez, Hughes STEM High School student

"The reason I picked this photo is because I play the guitar and so I thought it would be cool if I share this photo." - Yeyson Perez, Hughes STEM High School student

For the 2022 Hughes Project, Green’s 9th-12th grade students submitted black and white photography for the CCM Theatre Production & Design students to project onto Hughes STEM High School.

Photos include images of a student playing with dolls with her younger cousin, a student’s electric guitar, the shoes and hands of best friends, images captured during the bus ride or walk to school, and more that offer glimpses into the lives and creative minds of the high school students.

CCM students working on Hughes 2.0 include majors from the college’s Lighting Design and Technology, Technical Direction, Stage Management, Sound Design and Technology and Choral Studies programs. Kroeger, the CCM Choral Studies student who is the music coordinator for Hughes 2.0, organized an accompanying 20-minute music track for the light show through his non-profit vocal ensemble, Breath Collective.

Under Kroeger’s direction, Hamilton cast members Chaundre “DreHall” Hall-Broomfield and Bryson Bruce led students in creating and recording audio tracks that will be combined with Hall-Broomfield’s original music. Hall-Broomfield and Bruce guided the students in creating music, rap and spoken word tracks. One of the spoken work tracks was written by Cincinnati Poet Laureate Dr. Yalie Saweda Kamara and read by a Hughes high school student. Several musical selections were recorded by the Hughes STEM High School Band, under the direction of Joshua Johnson, and singers from the Hughes STEM High School choral program, under the direction of Derek Budzinski.

Hughes 2.0 is presented at Hughes STEM High School at 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14-Sunday, Oct. 16. The event is standing room only and is free to attend.


Event Details

The Hughes Project 2.0
A lighting and laser experience projected onto Hughes STEM High School

Free; Standing room only

Show times
8:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14-Sunday, Oct. 16
*There will also be an artist talk with the creative team behind Hughes 2.0 at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16

Location
Hughes STEM High School
2515 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45219

The Hughes Project 2.0 is made possible by the generous support of Fotofocus Biennial, Hughes STEM High School, Image Engineering, Vincent Lighting Systems, BLINK, CCM and Breath Collective.

Production:

  • Sharon Huizinga, CCM Advisor/Project Coordinator
  • Quinn Morgan*, Production Manager
  • Bethany Untener*, Production Assistant

Hughes STEM High School Staff:

  • Mary Green, Hughes Advisor/Art Coordinator
  • Dr. Jennifer Williams, Hughes Principal

Lighting/Media Design:

  • Dionte Mercado*, Lighting Designer
  • Charlie Raschke*, Assistant Lighting Designer
  • Matti Andrews*, Assistant Lighting Designer
  • Taylor Durantini, Laser Coordinator from Image Engineering
  • Bella Pfeiffer*, Associate Laser Designer
  • Rama Van Gils*, Media Designer/Content Creator
  • Oliver Hunt*, Media Designer/Content Creator
  • Andrew Gange*, Assistant Media Designer
  • Samuel Wilson*, Production Electrician
  • Abby Fluck*, Assistant Production Electrician
  • Greg Falcione*, CCM Staff Lighting Supervisor

Sound Design:

  • Matt Tibbs, Sound Advisor/Coordinator
  • Kayla Chen*, Sound Designer
  • Alena Milos*, Sound A1
  • Corbin Hopkins*, Production Sound Engineer

Scenic Design/Technical Direction:

  • Matt Tibbs, Sound Advisor/Coordinator
  • Janay Sukkarieh*, Technical Director
  • Sami Tamulonis*, Scenic Coordinator
  • Sterling Shelton, Scenic/Technical Direction Advisor

Music:

  • Trevor Kroeger*, Music Coordinator
  • Joe Miller, Music Advisor

*CCM student


About Hughes STEM High School

At Hughes STEM High School, students are immersed in a creative focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with a strong liberal arts foundation. Students take part in rich and meaningful experiences that expose them to a wide range of STEM careers. Project-based learning is at the heart of a Hughes STEM education.

Hughes students graduate ready for school, work, and life in the 21st century. They benefit from internships and real-world, workplace experiences. Each student receives personalized advisory support, ensuring that all students graduate college-ready and with certification in a variety of marketable skills.

The school is part of the Cincinnati Public Schools’ Career and Workforce Readiness Program. That means that in addition to the school’s career readiness programs for grades 8-12, Woodward students have access to targeted career preparation courses.

Learn more at hughesstem.cps-k12.org

CPS Strong

Our city is only as strong as our public school system. CPS Strong is working to establish an institution-wide model to engage and empower Cincinnati Public School students. By aligning programs and services to ensure readiness, create access and foster success, we can achieve educational transformation and positively impact the future of our university and our city. Learn more about CPS Strong.


About CCM Theatre Design and Production

Few schools offer more comprehensive training for directors, designers, technicians and production managers than CCM. Utilizing a superb faculty of professional artist-teachers, CCM’s Theatre Design and Production programs attract remarkably talented students from around the world.

Students have the opportunity to participate in a wide-ranging scope of degree programs, classes, major productions, studio productions, master classes, creative projects and professional internships. CCM’s Department of Theatre Design and Production (TD&P) offers Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts with specialization in the following areas:

The Theatre Design and Production program features cutting-edge facilities and technology, with:

  • 8,500 square foot scene shop
  • 3,000 square foot costume shop
  • Wig, make-up and prosthetics studios
  • 3 different production venues
  • 800 square foot light lab

Learn more at ccm.uc.edu/tdp.

Explore CCM and learn more about our nationally renowned programs at ccm.uc.edu

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