About Brenden
Brenden Rowan is a theatrical designer pursuing a MFA in lighting design at the University of Florida. He originally comes from Wabash, Indiana where theater was few and far between, but working at a large-scale, performing arts center he found his niche in theater. In May of 2026, Brenden received a BFA in lighting design from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
At Ball State, Brenden learned from professional theatrical designers who aim to teach students that it is okay to fail. Because of this, he learned to be more creative and open to new and exciting ideas.
While continuing his education at UF, Brenden looks forward to working on his storytelling abilities, methods of effective communication styles through rendering, and collaboration with designers and directors.
Brenden works to inspire young artists to be creative and to pursue theater. In his own words, “There is nothing else that makes me genuinely feel so excited other than lighting design. When a theatrical “moment” works so well, it reignites my passion for theater.” He wishes to fill other people with the same passion for theater that he has.
Brenden recently finished designing “The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee” at Ball State University and “Hadestown: Teen Edition” for Honeywell’s Summer Art Camps in Wabash Indiana He looks forward to working in on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in the spring at the University of Florida.