Orchard Graduate was Production Designer for ‘The Good Catholic’ Starring Danny Glover

Gordon Strain graduated from Orchard in 1992. Today, he is heavily involved in theatre and art, specifically in the Franklin community—where he started the Franklin Department of Public Art. Recently, he worked as the production designer for the film, “The Good Catholic,” which won 2017 Best Feature Film at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Indiana release dates for the film start this Friday. You can buy tickets now for the showing in Franklin at the Historic Artcraft Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 27th at 7:30pm. Find more Indiana release dates here.  

We caught up with Gordon earlier this year to discuss art, life, and how Orchard played a crucial role in preparing him for a successful career. 

I remember creating a math book where we created math puzzles and problems, designed and printed the books and sold them as a fundraiser. I also loved that our chef, Clark Feltner, organized an educational, once-a-week ethnic food day in the cafeteria where he introduced a new type of food. I loved that he was intentional about having a time to sit, eat and talk to each other. I model this now with my family at dinner time.   

I’m a dad to Josephine and Lexi. I’m also a business owner and started the Franklin Department of Public Art. Public art is my true passion and I love working on large, outdoor installations like sculptures or murals. The Franklin Department of Public Art was created with the goal of bringing more art into the Franklin community through classes, through supporting local artists and selling their work, gallery openings, murals in the community, and anything that helps with adding art in the community.

 

I also teach technical theatre at Franklin College as an Associate Professor and department chair and I’m a freelance scenic designer. I’ve recently designed sets for the Indiana Repertory Theatre and the Phoenix Theatre.

In 8^th grade, Torrey Bievenour and I didn’t want to act in the musical so we asked if we could run the lights. No one told us “no.” As an educator, I understand how it can sometimes be easier to just say “no” and ask everyone to follow the same plan. But we had teachers who said “yes” and made it happen. I now have a career in technical theatre and Torrey is an electrical engineer and designs lighting equipment that I use in the theatre. Without teachers encouraging our interests, who knows if that would have happened.

I worked for Spaeth Design, a design firm in New York City and worked on the windows for Saks 5^th Avenue and Lord & Taylor. I designed the Christmas windows which is like public art because stores pay a lot of money to design these windows but millions of people go to see them for free. I also had the opportunity to work as the production designer for the movie, The Good Catholic. It won the Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Best Screenplay at the Milan International Film Festival.

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Gordon Strain's website