The word “archiving” often evokes images of a life or event recorded on paper, stuffed into a box to languish on a dusty shelf in a subterranean level of a library, unvisited and forgotten. The new age of digital archiving shatters those images and brings to life vibrant photos captured forever by the lenses of a photographer. Alyssa Meadows, who will graduate on May 5 as the Integrative Arts Student Marshal, has taken her talents as a photographer and former stage manager and merged the two into a blossoming career as a digital archivist of theatrical productions. Her efforts were rewarded when she received first place in the Arts and Humanities Undergraduate Poster Exhibition for her digital archivist project of "Kiss Me Kate."
Though Meadows’ academic path started out in marine science, her theatrical background took center stage. Her life-long passion for photography then gave her the direction she needed. With the guidance of Renee Kredell, assistant professor of theatre, and the support of the Integrative Arts program, Meadows blended theatre and photography and began creating digital archives of Penn State theatrical productions.
As part of an independent study in the fall of 2011, Meadows documented the entire theatrical process of Penn State Centre Stage’s production of "Kiss Me Kate," from initial discussions about scene design and costumes, to auditions for the cast, to model building and lighting planning, to rehearsals, construction, performances, and finally, closing night. She held a solo exhibition and created and published a book, both titled "Behind the Curtain," which illustrates and highlights all the aspects of producing a theatrical play. To view her project, visit http://www.wix.com/sweetxserenity/digitalarchivistproject.
In the midst of her project, tragedy struck in November 2011 when her father, Franklin Meadows, died suddenly and unexpectedly. “He was always very supportive and encouraging of what I wanted to do, even with something as ‘risky’ as photography,” Meadows said. “I had to take a step back from my work for several months, but I knew I could not abandon such a project that he would have loved to see.” She dedicated "Behind the Curtain" to her father.
Meadows has continued her independent study with digital archiving of Centre Stage’s production of Gizmo, produced and performed in the spring of 2012. A book of the play is also planned. She has expanded her photography archiving to movie pictures, working with independent film companies, including Pennsylvania-based Hollow Tree Films. Her latest work is the film Semblance. For more information, visit www.ameadowsphoto.com.