All the world’s a stage: Madison Todd ’25 sets sail with theatre degree

adison Todd’s job is most people’s dream vacation. She sets sail on the Celebrity Ascent, a luxurious cruise ship, from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, while setting the stage for onboard entertainment.

Todd was hired right after graduating from the College of Liberal Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Management. She’s part of Celebrity Cruises’ entertainment stage staff, called an “AV” onboard. AVs run lights and sound for bands, game shows and parties, as well as work backstage on the ship’s major theatre productions.

“They always need more people, because they keep building new ships. They were looking for anyone with experience to work on the ship,” Todd said. “Part of what I think made my application stand out was listing different skills, talents and certifications and knowing how to do specific things in the job.”

The Ascent includes lounges, clubs and a theater equipped with state-of-the-art technology that hosts original shows exclusive to the ship.

In the theater, guests enjoy three major shows: “Residency,” “Awaken” and “Bridges.” “Residency” takes passengers through Las Vegas’ greatest shows, “Awaken” brings surreal dreams to life and “Bridges” inspires connection against a backdrop of the world’s most famous feats of engineering.

From guest entertainment shows to theatre productions, Todd helps the production team bring each performance to life through the magic of light, sound and stage.

“I have loved working in the theatre, because I was able to step into a role that was already there, instead of on land, where you are the one creating the track backstage,” Todd said. “This made it so I was able to quickly join the other tech people and learn what I needed to do backstage for every show.”

That fast-paced, responsibility-rich environment helps Todd thrive. At Auburn, she served as stage manager for numerous shows, including Shakespeare’s return to the Telfair B. Peet Theatre with “Twelfth Night,” an original student production titled “Dare WE Defend” and the annual dance concert “Flying/Falling.” She also gained experience as a props coordinator and deck head.

Todd credits theatre’s practicum course and study abroad in Ireland for her breadth of experience. In the practicum course, students learn everything from light and sound technology to building sets and backstage management.

The summer seminar in Galway, Ireland, centers around the Galway Arts Festival, which features theatre productions, concerts, fine arts and street performances.

Todd said between skill building in Auburn and international exposure in Ireland, she graduated ready to manage theatre productions at home and abroad.

“My experience with Auburn Theatre & Dance was wonderful. I got to learn so much by working on at least two shows a year and getting to learn from my professors that have so much experience in the field,” Todd said. “I saw all the different types of theatre being done there, and it made me very excited for after college.”