Purdue Theatre alumna promoted to leadership role

Written by: Madelyn Moore

Less than a year after graduating from Purdue, Maddie O’Neal has been promoted to head of audio and video at Indiana Repertory Theatre.

“This promotion means a lot to me and shows that the work I’ve put in this past season hasn’t been unnoticed,” O’Neal said. “We have been without a department head the entire time I’ve been here, which means I’ve picked up a lot of extra work that originally wasn’t for me.”

In her new position, O’Neal will oversee two audio engineers and manage audio work that composes six shows throughout the season.

“I realized I wanted to go into engineering during my junior year of college,” O’Neal said. “After I realized being a meteorologist wasn’t quite meant for me, and knowing that I missed the theatre experience, I decided to go back to my roots. And I’ve never looked back.”

O’Neal added that audio is often one of the most overlooked elements when it comes to theater.

“An audience member can see the lights and the scenic elements that go into a show,” O’Neal said. “They can’t see audio or notice it, which is a good thing.”

O’Neal reflected positively on her experience at Purdue.

“Purdue Theater has given me plenty of opportunities to showcase my management skills, whether that's being lead engineer on a show or other opportunities outside the theatre,” O’Neal said.

O’Neal’s best advice for current theater students is to “Follow your dreams but also work hard for them”.

“If you would have told me last year that this is where I would be now, I would have told you that you were crazy,” O’Neal said. “But things like this don't fall into your lap, you must prove yourself and show people that you are more than a résumé.”