Mat "Fern" Middleton earned a Bachelor of Arts in theatre arts at Furman University and recently earned a Master of Fine Arts in drama with a concentration in design at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). Their specialties are design for the stage and devised theatre. They have up to sixteen lighting design credits, including professional and educational works. They most recently acted as production designer for the first devised production at UNCG, Where•Else, which premiered this past spring. In addition to their design and tech work, Middleton is also a trained performer and director. They most recently worked this summer as an assistant director for Traveling Players Ensemble, a summer theatre camp in Leesburg, Virginia. They also have training in commedia dell’arte and clowning from Accademia Dell’Arte and are an avid juggler and birder. Their values as a theatre artist lie in the collaborative and supportive nature of the work. Middleton believes the best art happens when everyone’s unique, artistic voices are heard. They are thrilled to join this team of creative artists and educators to help uplift the work of the Shenandoah University students.