Hughes 2.0: CCM partners with high school on light and laser show during FotoFocus and BLINK

Hughes 2.0 will light up Clifton in a dazzling display of creativity on Oct. 14-16, 2022. The building is one of the premier examples of Gothic Tutor architecture in the country and boasts a 145-foot tower designed by J. Walter Stevens that can be seen for miles. Hughes 2.0 is a participating venue in the 2022 FotoFocus Biennial and is also supported by BLINK.

“BLINK is proud to be a supporter of the Hughes Project," says Justin Brookhart, Executive Director of BLINK. "While it is not taking place within the footprint of BLINK we love the spirit, creativity and community focus of the installation and would encourage folks to check it out in person this weekend.”

Inspired by FotoFocus Biennial’s World Record theme, which focuses on recording life on Earth while exploring humankind’s impact on the natural world, Hughes 2.0 features self-captured photography that gives a glimpse into the daily lives of Hughes high school arts students. CCM students will create light projections and laser designs based on the images from the high school students. The installation is themed around “zooming in” and “zooming out,” focusing on a fictionalized future city and the stories held within it.

Hughes 2.0 is made possible by the generous support of Fotofocus Biennial, Hughes STEM High School, Image Engineering, Vincent Lighting Systems, BLINK, CCM and Breath Collective — a non-profit Cincinnati vocal ensemble led by CCM Choral Studies student Trevor Kroeger, who serves as the music coordinator for the project.

The collaboration began in 2021 when CCM Lighting Design and Technology Professor Sharon Huizinga connected with industry colleagues to discuss how to make careers accessible to those who may dream of working in the arts, but may not know where to begin. She wanted to connect with young students and show them that a career in the arts is possible for a wide variety of personalities and goals.

Huizinga connected with Hughes STEM High School art teacher Mary Green and they partnered to organize students in the creation of the first Hughes Project light installation in April 2021. CCM Media Production students, led by Professor Don Hancock, created a mini-documentary about the 2021 project, which is available to watch online.

For the 2022 Hughes Project, Green’s 9th-12th grade students submitted black and white photography for the CCM Theatre Production & Design students to project onto Hughes STEM High School.

Photos include images of a student playing with dolls with her younger cousin, a student’s electric guitar, the shoes and hands of best friends, images captured during the bus ride or walk to school, and more that offer glimpses into the lives and creative minds of the high school students.

CCM students working on Hughes 2.0 include majors from the college’s Lighting Design and Technology, Technical Direction, Stage Management, Sound Design and Technology and Choral Studies programs. Kroeger, the CCM Choral Studies student who is the music coordinator for Hughes 2.0, organized an accompanying 20-minute music track for the light show through his non-profit vocal ensemble, Breath Collective.

Under Kroeger’s direction, Hamilton cast members Chaundre “DreHall” Hall-Broomfield and Bryson Bruce led students in creating and recording audio tracks that will be combined with Hall-Broomfield’s original music. Hall-Broomfield and Bruce guided the students in creating music, rap and spoken word tracks. One of the spoken work tracks was written by Cincinnati Poet Laureate Dr. Yalie Saweda Kamara and read by a Hughes high school student. Several musical selections were recorded by the Hughes STEM High School Band, under the direction of Joshua Johnson, and singers from the Hughes STEM High School choral program, under the direction of Derek Budzinski.

Hughes 2.0 is presented at Hughes STEM High School at 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14-Sunday, Oct. 16. The event is standing room only and is free to attend.