Design by Ashley

About the artist…

Ashley McBreairty is an award-winning lighting designer based out of the Southern Maine region. Her time studying both Theater and Psychology at the University of Southern Maine has paired together to inform her design choices, utilizing human perception of color to influence her work to create unforgettable, surreal, and complex works that accompany the plot of any show she works on. She has over 100 credits to her name and has been working in theater since she was four years old. She can be found both on and off stage, specializing in lighting design, set design, light board operating, scenic painting/carpentry, stage management, props mastery, acting, musical theater, and much more! 

She now works as an instructor as well as the Head Electrician at USM, designing, teaching, and working to inspire the next generation of theater creators. She also serves as the Technical Director for Opera in the Pines and works as a full-time designer in the New England area. Along with design work, she is, at heart, an artist. Much of her inspiration comes from psychology and human experience, but also nostalgia, surrealism, nature, horror influences, and all things odd.

Ashley believes in telling the uncomfortable yet important stories. She is passionate about holding space for topics that deserve to have a spotlight, even when it is hard to shed light on them. Ashley is dedicated to creating unique, emotive theater that not only gives the audience a place to escape for a few hours but leaves them with something greater to take with them afterwards. She aspires to leave this world a little brighter than she found it by creating, collaborating, and sharing her art with others.