Braden Spear played a jumping bean for his preschool graduation, and his passion for theater was born.
After his jumping bean debut, Spear played other roles throughout high school and joined Taylor University’s theater program in 2009. Tracy Manning, artistic director at Taylor, said she met him during Welcome Weekend when he first came to campus. It was unusual, she said, to have a fresh face who was so passionate about the theater from the beginning.
After graduating in 2013, Spear moved to New York with his family. He worked for multiple theater companies, including the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, the Titan Theater Company in Queens and the Texas Shakespeare Festival. However, 10 years after he graduated, Spear was back on the Taylor stage.
Last winter, Spear played Macbeth in the Scottish play directed by Manning. He enjoyed renewing old friendships and making new ones. In his first play at Taylor in 2009, Spear worked with 8-year-old Eleana Manning. 14 years later, he gets to work with her again.
Spear found a renewed passion for Taylor’s theater program. Around the time that they were putting on Macbeth, Manning was looking for a technical director, and Spear was ready to step into the position. He was trained there, and now he gets to teach there.
“[It was like] an artistic homecoming,” Spear said.
Spear now manages the props, the lighting and all the other technical aspects that help the show run smoothly. He found the transition from actor to technical director to be fun and rewarding. He enjoyed working with students and finding innovative ways to help the theater grow and flourish.
Spear manages the team of students working behind the scenes and ensures that they are equipped for their job.
“It’s been really inspiring to see how much of the Taylor theater program really relies on the efforts of the students, and the students’ experience and knowledge,” Spear said. “It’s always inspiring to see them putting in the level of effort that they put into the productions.”
When looking for a technical director, Manning knew that Spear’s passion for the theater would play a crucial part in being a technical director. Transitioning into a new position is a learning curve, but Spear loves to keep learning. You can teach technical skills, but it is harder to teach a passion for the theater, Manning said.
“He is so eager to fight for the theater at Taylor to have support and resources,” Manning said. “He believes that we’re maybe too well a kept secret, and just really wants us to be able to grow and thrive.”
Spear questions the “whys” of the normal ways the theater does things. He is always aiming for efficiency, Manning said.
Spear is involved and inspired by his students. Senior Roneisha Jackson, a theater arts major, called Spear the “advocator” of the theater team. Spear sees his students as humans, and is always ready to help them through the challenges whether it be taking a quick break, stepping out of heels or problem solving through tech week.
“It was something as simple as, ‘actually my knee is killing me in these heels. I don’t think I can do it.’ And my knee was in so much pain and he was like, ‘Hey, how can I help?’” Jackson said.
Spear intentionally helps his students through the challenges of theater. His passion for theater and belief in its mission translates into the way he interacts with students.
Jackson’s inspiration is Viola Davis, and Spear asked her a question that changed her perspective on theater.
“He said, ‘Why don’t you be Viola Davis for somebody else?” Jackson said.
Spear is passionate about Taylor theater. He believes in their mission, and he is ready to fight for the theater’s needs, Manning said.
“He believes that our art matters,” Manning said.“[He believes] that to be created in the image of God to create things means that we should be training the greatest artists to send out into the world to keep making great art.”
