Delaney Welsh ‘24
March’s Artist of the Month, Caroline Madeira, demonstrates excellence and creativity in her work in theatrical design and as Co-Editor in Chief of The Epolitan. This fall, her visions were put on display in EA’s productions of Radium Girls and partially in The Little Mermaid. Additionally, students can attend the school’s production of Mamma Mia this spring to see more of her work. Kelly Leight-Bertucci, Middle School and Upper School Theatre and Dance Teacher, explains “Caroline is able to sit down and read a play and have a clear vision of what she wants to do.”
Photo courtesy of Gianna Trala
Madeira credits her grandmother for her love of art, she explains, “when I was little she taught me how to paint.” Her love of theater specifically, however, was brought about when she came to EA. Madeira pinpoints the reason she loves theatrical design, saying, “It takes, and kind of just amplifies what is already given with the actors. [Theatrical designers] give context and background to the whole show [which] is really nice.”
Madeira is known in the arts community for her innovative ideas in various parts of the technical process that make the sets unique. Bertucci notes, “Caroline was the reason that we did projections in Radium Girls.” She continues, “Caroline also designs lighting, so she did lighting for the dance concerts for the last three or four years… and she also did lights for Radium Girls. She also works in the shop, paints, and builds.”
Madeira is also involved in an independent study for which she designs the shows at school, and works on theatrical design. Bertucci states, “we will pick a space and a show and design something.” Madeira’s independent study gives her the chance to “learn how to design and all of the steps and all of the choices to really make a very strong creative choice.” The independent study also gives her the opportunity to hypothetically work in other theaters around the country. Madeira adds, “When the challenges like budget and time aren’t placed on me it’s easier to come up with and think about your choices and design something.”
Annie Lee ‘24, who has worked alongside Madeira in set design since middle school, notes, “She is a very sweet person, very hardworking as well” Lee adds, “She is probably one of the most creative people I know.” Lee continues that Caroline’s determination is apparent through the way she “gets things done on time, even if she is put under a lot of stress.”
Brooklyn Smith ‘23, who also works with Madeira, recalls meeting her for the first time when she “ saw her work as a stage manager for the first time and it not only made me fall in love with stage managing, because that’s what I do now, but it made me fall in love with her because she was so professional about it.” Smith adds, “She puts so much into everything she does.” When asked about Caroline’s most admirable qualities Smith explains, “I think she is incredibly creative, which is funny because she is also incredibly humble.” Smith also states that Caroline is “a great friend and a great person. I feel like she is everything all at once.”
Madeira will continue pursuing technical theater at NYU Tisch School of Arts next year. She elaborates, “I see myself going into the industry, definitely.”