As LOON Opera celebrates its 20th Anniversary with Die Fledermaus (The Bat), Lighting Designer Alex Flinner is again at the light board creating an incredible palette of color and light to make this comic opera glow. Flinner has designed lighting for LOON (Lyric Opera of the North) for nearly fifteen years, working on over twenty operas.
Flinner is not only a lighting designer but also has been a sound designer, master carpenter, projection technician, videographer, and has performed many other technical theater jobs for 25 years with various arts organizations.
Jack of All Trades
Alex was born and raised in St. Paul. “After high school, I went to the University of Minnesota Duluth, initially for a BFA in Technical Theater, but after winding through a few combinations, including a BS and Minor in Chemistry, I ended up with a BA in Theater and Music Minor,” Alex explained.
“I have been steeped in the arts for as long as I remember. While I was young, my mom was a church organist and choir director, and my dad played Cello with a couple orchestras. In middle school, I sang with The Metropolitan Boys Choir and participated in a concert tour that brought me to the faraway place that was Duluth. In High School, I played in the pit and helped do the tech for the student productions all 4 years.”
He noted, “I have wandered through a couple different careers, but inevitably keep returning to theater. After graduating from UMD, I worked in theater as much as I was able, including running sound for bands and numerous productions, and with the occasional lighting gig in town or down in the Twin Cities.”
“When all my job prospects shut down over COVID, I went back to school at Lake Superior College and completed with High Honors, an A.A.S. degree in Civil Engineering Technology,” he added.
Since working in the arts doesn’t always pay the bills, Alex has worked a variety of jobs and gigs over the years. He has been a movie projectionist, driven a DTA bus and a motorcoach for Minnesota Coaches, delivered semi-truck cabs, taught Driver’s Ed., and taught beginning strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass), among other jobs.
Alex is an accomplished bassist who has played with several orchestras and show pit bands, both in the Twin Ports and in orchestras and theaters outside the area.
“Over time, I have continued to hone, focus on, and build new skill sets, primarily in the areas of lighting and sound,” Alex said. “While still considering myself a general theater tech person, I am able to do many of the tasks needed for theater.”
“After COVID and returning to in-person performances, the UWS Communications department had an opening for their Associate Artist position in their theater program. I have been helping with their productions with lighting, sound, and projections since the Fall of 2021.”
He added, “Also, during this time, I have started getting calls to consult on various upgrades or troubleshooting for lighting and sound systems around the Twin Ports and am looking to develop these contacts and opportunities while continuing to design for productions.”
Outside the Theater
“I am married to my spouse, Andrea, and we have a 5-year-old named Michael. I am hoping to get back to traveling, but I am really looking forward to being able to sail with my brother again this summer down on the St Croix. I’ve been sailing small boats for years and love the feel of the wind and the water while moving nearly silently through the waves,” Alex stated.
Up Next: Die Fledermaus
“I like working with opera because it combines nearly all art forms but is driven primarily by the music and provides a dramatic story to experience. Additionally, the technical and physical training and abilities required of the singers are not something just anyone can do,” Flinner explained.
Alex noted, “I am the Lighting Designer for Die Fledermaus, and it poses some challenges for lighting. While Ann Gumpper’s designs are wonderful and provide a wonderful canvas to light, the mobile nature of the walls and various locations that they will occupy to show the multiple locations, requires a design that is flexible and can provide many options.” He is looking forward to working with the NorShor’s lighting rig and all its capabilities.
“I enjoy the performing arts community in the Twin Ports. We do a lot despite the size and location of our cities. It can be a challenge, and we are only able to do this through our collective cooperation and willingness to help and support each other. This includes our arts community and by welcoming in the broader population to see, participate, and experience the arts in all the ways we can present them. I look forward to working in this community for many years to come!”
Information About Die Fledermaus
Composed by Johann Strauss II
Libretto by Karl Haffner and Richard Genée
DATES
Friday, June 13, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Sunday, June 15, 2025 at 3:00 pm
LOCATION
NorShor Theatre
TICKETS
Box Office: (218) 464-0922
Online Tickets
A situation comedy from before those were invented! A revenge plot brimming with waltzes! A party at the home of a prince! “Die Fledermaus” is infectiously fun and irresistibly tuneful.
Twenty years ago, Lyric Opera of the North’s very first event featured scenes from “Die Fledermaus.” What better way to celebrate our anniversary than with a beautiful new production of this operetta that is an ode to bubbles, waltzes, masked balls, and shimmery melodies!
Recommended for people who like: waltzes, hummable tunes, and sit-coms. This opera does not include: actual bats.
Sung in English, with English supertitles projected above the stage. (Material from Lyric Opera of the North)
