معرفی
Chad S Kolbe serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre within Viterbo University's Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Now in his fourteenth year at the institution, he teaches core courses including Stage Craft, Principles of Design, Theatre Practicum, Computer Aided Drafting, Design Studio, and Stage Lighting while simultaneously holding key production roles as Technical Director, Production Manager, and Lighting Designer for departmental performances.
His educational foundation comprises a Master of Fine Arts from Purdue University West Lafayette and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa. Prior to Viterbo, he served as Instructor and Technical Director at the University of Northern Iowa, spent six years as Technical Director for the Texas Shakespeare Festival in Kilgore, Texas, and held three years of progressive technical roles—including Carpenter, Head Rigger, and Assistant Technical Director—at the Des Moines Metro Opera.
Professor Kolbe's professional expertise centers on theatrical production technology and design implementation, with specialized focus on lighting systems, scenic engineering, and technical direction. His hands-on industry experience directly informs his pedagogical approach, emphasizing practical application of design principles and stagecraft techniques within both classroom instruction and live performance contexts.
His career trajectory demonstrates consistent integration of academic instruction with professional production management, maintaining active engagement in theatrical technology through departmental leadership roles while contributing to the regional arts community in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he enjoys outdoor exploration with family.
