Quick Chat: Savana Andershock

Welcome to our first Quick Chat of 2026! Today we are catching up with recent Wisconsin-Parkside graduate, Savana Andershock, as she takes us into the world of lighting! Savana is APT''s Head Electrician this season. Read on to hear about Savana's career path, her favorite aspects of the job, and her non-negotiables in her picnic basket!

APT: Hi Savana! How are things going so far this summer at APT?
Savana: Things are going great so far! Team Lighting has been working diligently on getting things ready to go for the summer. We are very excited to show everyone what we have been up to!

APT: That's amazing! We have so many talented tech and production staff here in the woods. What has your career looked like leading up to APT?
Savana: I am a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. During my time as a student, I have worked at several theatres in various positions in their Lighting departments. I've been a designer, a programmer, and electrician all within the last three years. It's truly an honor to be in this position at my age, at APT no less.

APT: It sounds like you are gathering a toolbox full of skills. In your own words, could you tell us what a Head Electrician does for a theater?
Savana: The Head Electrician position has taken many different forms, and this year is no different. Mostly, I make sure that: all of our lights are hung correctly in both theatres, that they all work accordingly (and troubleshoot when they are not), and I maintain the accuracy of the designs on the specific shows that I work on!

APT: An essential part of making the magic happen! Looking back, you have worked at APT as both a Production Assistant and now Head Electrician, what shifts have you seen in those two positions and what has been challenging/exciting?
Savana: As a Head Electrician, I have a more "set" schedule, whereas being a Production Assistant, I needed to be on call most days. Being on the Lighting team also means that I have a more specific set of tasks to do most days, not a lot deviating from the norm for us! But as a PA, there is not much that you don't do, which keeps that job entertaining. Honestly, the most challenging part is that being on Team Lighting means that I don't often see a variety of other staff at APT. Because the PAs have such a variety of jobs, they interact with more people, and I do miss that a lot. Lighting is my real passion, so it evens out!

APT: I'm so glad you've gotten to have such great experiences in both positions. What has been your favorite part of your current position?
Savana: My favorite part of this position is being able to meet a variety of designers! I love learning about how they tell stories and what helps them to make their decisions. There is so much to learn from others in the field, and what makes them tick.

APT: Learning from others is one of the best parts of being in these woods. With learning, comes memories! Do you have a favorite APT memory?
Savana: It's a recent memory, but I loved getting here early in the season to start prep work with my team. It was fun learning all about the spaces and my coworkers. We shared many fun stories those first two weeks.

APT: Lets end on a fun one: What is your non-negotiable in your picnic basket?
Savana: My non-negotiable item in my picnic basket is some kind of meat and cheese board. It doesn't have to be any fancy charcuterie board, but a couple kinds of cheeses and some Wheat Thins are perfect for me. And also some strawberries!! They are my favorite fruit.