VWHS senior comfortable in spotlight

CINDY WOOD/independent feature writer

Matt Saunier doesn’t mind the spotlight. In fact, he’s perfectly comfortable with it.

Saunier, a senior at Van Wert High School, has served as a volunteer lighting director at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center for many years, and, even though he’s only a senior in high school, Saunier boasts enough experience to run with the industry big guys.

Handling lights for notable country acts might seem like a big deal to some, but it’s another day at the office for Saunier, who has been running lights alongside his father, Hugh, since his days lighting the stage at The Marsh Foundation.

One could say Saunier gets it honestly from his dad, who serves as the NPAC’s technical director. In their spare time in the summer, the two men tour the countryside working lights and sound systems for some industry heavyweights.

“I did a show with Randy Travis once, and then the next year we did shows with Dierks Bentley and Lady Antebellum,” Saunier said. “The shows actually vary quite a bit, but we work mostly with country acts.”

At the NPAC, Saunier can be found behind the light board at nearly every show. According to Tafi Stober, NPAC marketing director, Saunier’s contributions have been invaluable to NPAC staff and patrons.

“His technical know-how and creative lighting artistry have impressed countless guests and artists who have graced our stage,” Stober said. “His dedication, work ethic and professionalism are steeped in a maturity and wisdom that are quite beyond his years.”

After graduation, Saunier will attend Ashland University, where he will receive a $12,000 annual director’s scholarship. While his major, integrated social studies education, may seem like quite a leap from his current hobby, Saunier has no plans to stay away from the spotlight.

“I guess it really kind of depends where life takes me,” Saunier said, adding that he would like to make teaching his main job. “And then do the lighting design thing on the side. That’s actually what a lot of people in the industry do now. They go out for the first week or two of a tour, set it all up so everything is running smoothly and then move on. So I could definitely do this as a side job.”

With years of experience under his belt, the future indeed looks bright for the young man, who was first exposed to the technical side of productions working with his father over a decade ago. “My dad was asked to install the lighting and sound system at the Marsh around the year 2001,” Saunier said, adding “so my brother and I would tag along and help him. I guess that’s kind of where it all started for me.”

Transitioning from the Marsh Foundation stage to a multi-million dollar performing arts center may have seemed daunting, but Saunier met the challenge head-on. “There are actually similarities between the two venues,” Saunier said. “But the PAC center was definitely a step up, technologically. There are a lot more lights, and overall it’s just a much larger and more complex system of lighting.”

Saunier said the experience he’s gained working with his dad, along with his high school Project Lead the Way pre-engineering classes, have provided him with the knowledge he needs to be successful. “My engineering classes actually applied to this field, because when you’re setting up and designing concerts, you have to figure out not only the technical aspect, but the structural aspect of the stage as well,” he said. “You have to know if it is physically possible to set up, and if the stage is strong enough to withstand the force. We covered a lot of that structural analysis and schematics in my classes.”

Whether he’s a social studies teacher or lighting the stage for Nashville’s newest and biggest star, Saunier has no plans of slowing down until he achieves his goal of being a member of the lighting crew for the Olympic ceremonies. “I guess you could say that’s my lifetime goal … something I want to do before I die,” he said.

For now, Saunier is concentrating on finishing out his high school career before he heads out for college. His absence, though, will be sorely felt by the staff and volunteers at the NPAC, who have come to know and appreciate this talented young man.

“He is seemingly irreplaceable,” Stober said. “He has left his mark on our stage and in our hearts. No matter his endeavor, Matt will shine a very bright light.”