Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film

Emma Hoffbauer is pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in scenic design at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film.  She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in design and technology for the theatre from the University of North Georgia as part of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance in December of 2017. Hoffbauer worked as a scenic artist at several professional theatres around the Atlanta area, and took her scenic design work to SETC for which she received an Honorable Mention in the design competition. Hoffbauer is very excited to use her opportunity as a graduate teaching assistant and Hixson-Lied Graduate Fellow to further her skills as a scenic designer and a theatre artist.

Samuel Brant came to Lincoln to pursue his Master of Fine Arts degree in costume design from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film.

A Nebraska native, Brant is ecstatic for the opportunity to return to his home state while earning his graduate degree. A recent graduate of Evangel University, he received his Bachelor of Arts in theatre/music in May 2018. Upon graduation, he received numerous honors and was recognized as Evangel University’s 2018 Outstanding Graduate in Theatre/Music. His favorite musicals include Hello Dolly, Fiddler on the Roof and Ragtime.

Lisa Haldeman graduated with a BFA in Theatre Arts from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, in 2014. She is now obtaining her masters degree in Theatre Tech at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film.

Lisa has always had a love for design, and has taken joy in creating theatre across the Midwest. Once graduated she hopes to continue her travels, meeting new theatre artists and the communities that surround them.

Bryce Bassett is pursuing his Masters of Fine Arts in lighting design. Bassett is a 2017 graduate of Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas, with a B.A. in theatre with an emphasis in design. Bassett has worked professionally as an electrician for Music Theatre Wichita, multiple touring productions and has done design work for multiple shows. He has been recognized by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for his work on Oklahoma! and Chess the Musical, which also won first place in the Region V Lighting Design competition.

Bassett is not only interested in design work. He recently received his Bachelors from the International University of Santa Claus. During the Christmas season, he spends his free time as a professional Santa Claus. Visiting homes, city events, and corporate events bringing Christmas cheer to everyone and making wishes come true.

Adam R. Jezl-Sikorski is an M.F.A. candidate in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film for stage design with an emphasis in lighting design. Fresh from Lewis University, he recently received his Bachelor of Arts in theatre this past May (2017). While an undergraduate, his designs have been recognized by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival on multiple occasions while placing as a KCACTF Region III semi-finalist for his work in 2015. Jezl-Sikorski is an Eagle Scout and has recently been appointed to the Hixson-Lied Graduate Student Advisory Board.

Jill Hibbard is pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in scenic design at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in theatre design and technology from Plymouth State University in 2002.  After working the past 15 years as a scenic artist and props master, she is looking forward to the opportunity to further develop as a scenic designer.