Rate My Professor Amanda Sweger

Amanda Sweger is Professor of Theatre and Chair of the Theatre & Dance Department at Pacific Lutheran University, a position she has held since fall 2022, following her appointment to the faculty in fall 2012. A tenured professor, she specializes in lighting and scenic design. Sweger earned a B.F.A. in Design and Technology from the Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts in 2004. She received an M.F.A. in Set and Lighting Design from Northwestern University in 2011, marking the first such double primary emphasis in lighting and scenic design in 12 years. Her career began with volunteer work at a local community theatre during her teenage years, where she served as volunteer of the year and handled roles including set building, lighting, painting, stage managing, and administration. This led to professional freelance design in Seattle, Chicago, Nashville, and Philadelphia. She has designed for notable companies such as The Second City, TimeLine Theatre, Seattle Theatre Group, Taproot Theatre Company, Village Theatre's Kidstage, and Seattle Public Theatre. Prior to PLU, she held a sabbatical replacement position at Vanderbilt University.

At Pacific Lutheran University, Sweger has contributed lighting and scenic designs to 31 productions and maintains an active professional practice, including work at the Moore Theatre in Seattle. Her design expertise earned her the 2010 Norrenbrock Design Award from Northwestern University, participation in the 2010 USITT Young Designers’ Forum, and the 2010 Michael Merritt Designer Showcase. Sweger teaches courses including Introduction to Theatre, guiding first-year students in democratic discourse, collaboration, empathy, and practical skills. Her teaching philosophy stresses constant, imperfect practice to overcome fear and perfectionism, encapsulated in her mantra to students: "Keep messing it up." She incorporates inclusive pedagogy, state-of-the-art methods, and tools like Google Calendar for time management. Sweger fosters a sense of "theatre family," mentoring students who join professional crews at regional theatres and pursue teaching roles, such as at Pierce College. Her hands-on approach equips students with transferable competencies in problem-solving, communication, analysis, and time management.