As Adam and Carrie Simpson reflect on their respective 20 years at Lynn University, they're reminded just how far they—and Lynn's Celebration of the Arts—have come.
The husband-and-wife duo, both faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences, have been instrumental in the growth and success of Celebration of the Arts, taking it from a humble yet aspirational beginning to the dazzling, sold-out variety-style performance showcase it is today.
With the support of Lynn faculty and community partners, Adam and Carrie have overseen the trajectory of Celebration of the Arts, consistently building upon the dream they first conceptualized over a decade ago. Their passion led them to launch Lynn's Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) program in 2018.
Together with Danielle Dale-Hancock, a former Radio City Rockette captain and New York Knicks dancer, the Simpsons lifted Celebration of the Arts to new heights, enhancing everything from the quality of talent and hands-on student experiences to the caliber of its musical performances, costumes and sets.
Carrie, Adam and Danielle share their insights about the evolution of the showcase and more.
How has Celebration of the Arts evolved since its inception?
Carrie: Celebration of the Arts was "the little engine that could." Adam and I had this dream of creating a showcase that allowed our students to perform on a main stage while also creating a street fair with live music. I imagined Mallory Square or the Fringe Festival, where there are performances and art everywhere. The idea from the beginning was to bridge all of that together—art and design students showcasing their work.
When we first began Celebration over a decade ago, the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center had just been built, and Lynn's B.F.A. in drama had not yet launched. Our first few shows were very simple. There was no set; we used the same stage shell as the Lynn University Conservatory of Music. For music, we had tracks and a "band" which consisted of a single piano player. Each person got one costume; any others were pre-owned or borrowed from friends and family. It was a totally different world.
Eventually, I transitioned from the College of Communication and Design to the College of Arts and Sciences when Dr. Katrina Carter-Tellison, vice president for Academic Affairs, was dean—she and Gregg Cox really helped Celebration take off. Colleagues like Barbara Cambia, Cesar Santalo and the faculty at the College of Communication and Design are now very involved in Celebration, too.
I handle most of the costuming for the show and also teach students how to design costumes. What started with just a small group has now expanded to over 50 faculty and staff members, all playing key roles in making the show come to life through costume production. Another critical change has been the expansion of the live band, which has really added a new dimension to the performance—we brought in a musical director and now have a live, seven-piece band. It's very cool to see how far we've come.
How has your role with Celebration changed over the years?
Carrie: I still take care of most of the costuming. I used to do everything myself—costumes, direction, choreography, production planning, you name it. Now, I still juggle a lot of those things, but I'm lucky to have a great team of talented artists helping out. It's made everything feel much more collaborative, and that's been such a great shift.
Adam: When we first launched Celebration, I was a performer, set designer and director. As the show grew over the years, my position shifted to working solely on the technical team in a more focused role. We've grown in crew size, and I now have a management-style position that allows me to guide our team of students, faculty and staff. Together, they help bring the show to life.
Danielle: Since I joined Lynn in 2021, it's been amazing to see the expansion of songs and students. We've grown so much through word of mouth. It's exciting when I'm able to really push the envelope with the professionalism—it's getting more like Radio City Music Hall every time!
What do you love most about the event?
Carrie: Collaborating and connecting across campus. So many people on campus are artists in one way or another—whether photographers, dancers, painters, designers—and Celebration of the Arts gives them a way to share that side of themselves … that's really special.
Adam: The crowd and energetic atmosphere this show solicits. It's always filled with energy, joy and light.
Danielle: The work that the student choreographers produce and the body of work they invest into Celebration.
What real-world skills do students develop by participating in Celebration?
Carrie: Our students have a say when it comes to directing, choreographing and selecting costumes. I also sit with them to look over different aspects of the show and discuss our budget. It's an all-encompassing experience that they all enjoy and appreciate.
Adam: We have an amazing group of students in the shop building scenery, painting, decorating and doing all the intricate, detailed work to make the show visually stunning. They're learning great industry skills.
Danielle: By the time the students are sophomores, they're able to choreograph and teach better because of what they've learned through the program. I see how much they've learned and how confident they've become, and it makes me so proud.
What are some challenges you faced in preparing a show of this size?
Carrie: There is a whole show going on behind the show that the audience doesn't see. People are changing in the wings in 30 seconds as set pieces are moving all around the back. The backstage work is truly a mastery.
Adam: It's always a challenge to create a show of this scale. It's a technically demanding piece and every year it gets better—and, with that, a bit more technically demanding. The challenge is a good one, which is keeping up with the growth. Thankfully, we've been able to add some pieces and volunteers. The B.F.A. program has expanded, which has really helped foster the growth of this production and meet the increased demand by having additional students.
What do you envision (or hope) for the future of Celebration of the Arts?
Carrie: I'm proud of the direction we've taken, so I'd like to keep the momentum going and see more students continue to take ownership. It’s wonderful to see how much pride the students take in the numbers they direct and choreograph.
Adam: I'd love to see more students from different programs get involved. One of the beauties of Celebration and how it began was that it was inclusive of so many different types of people from the university.
A very special thank you to our donors, Sodexo and Christine E. Lynn, for her continued and unwavering support of the arts and our students.
Here's a fun look at how Lynn Drama students prepare for Celebration of the Arts:
