Backstage Access: Madeline Surles
Have you ever walked into Harman Chapel and noticed there was a staircase or walls and furniture on the stage for the next Theatre Department production and wondered where they came from? What about who runs the lights and sound? Meet Maddie!
A native of Midlothian, VA, and a graduate of Manchester High School, Madeline Surles (aka “Maddie”) came to Bluefield College as a student in 2013. As a student, she enjoyed intramural sports and was a member of BC’s Praise Singers, Elevate, and Student Ambassadors. She has worked as technical director for the college since graduating in 2016 with a bachelor of arts degree in theatre.
Maddie says she chose Bluefield College because the youth leader at her church is a BC alumnus. Her original major was Christian Studies with a concentration in youth ministry. And even though she changed her major, her passion for youth ministry hasn’t changed. Maddie currently serves as a youth leader for her home church, Richmond’s First Baptist.
The older youth group at her church goes on a mission trip every summer, which Maddie says has allowed her to travel to amazing places and develop positive relationships. For the past nine years, she has gone with her youth group to Helena, Arkansas, where they run a summer camp. One of the main things that they do is teach children to swim, which can be a life-saving skill for them as the area has frequent hurricanes.
“My heart is in Helena. I love seeing the children grow up each summer and eventually get accepted into colleges, so they move on to better things. We even had parents and grandparents who were inspired by the children and asked us to teach them to swim, too. So, we started adult swim lessons in the afternoons.”
– Madeline Surles
It is clear that Maddie has a heart for service, which is something that she brings to her job as technical director at Bluefield College. She is in charge of building all of the sets for the Theatre Department as well as running lights or sound for the drama productions and other events at the school, like graduations. Maddie says that she learned a lot about construction from mission trips and a stagecraft class in high school before coming to BC where she developed the skill further.
Maddie got her start in theatre after not making it into her high school’s show choir the first time she auditioned. The teacher was impressed by her and reached out to her later. That is when she quickly realized that she had been given a gift for working as a “techie” when she found herself running sound for their productions.
“Maddie is a good servant leader, helping with BYT (Bluefield Youth Theatre), (and) waiting with the kids for parent pick-up without being asked. She goes out of her way to make the children feel comfortable and accepted and important. Part of that is because she’s still a kid and doesn’t care who knows it!”
– Rebecca McCoy-Reese, BC Professor of Theatre
Since becoming a part of Bluefield College Theatre, Maddie has had the opportunity to work both backstage and onstage. She said she loves being onstage in musicals where she can sing, dance, and often play guitar or drums. Her favorite production was Cotton Patch Gospel, because it was an ensemble-based show with all of her best friends before they graduated. However, Maddie admits that her true passion in theatre is not acting.
“Madeline is talented onstage, but she really shines backstage working tech,” McCoy-Reese said. “That’s why we hired her, and it’s been a good fit.”
Unfortunately, Maddie has announced that this semester will be her last at Bluefield College. She loves the friends and the memories that she has made here, but feels that it is time she moves on to advance in her technical theatre career. Also, Maddie believes that she has been away from her family for too long and wants to move back to the Richmond area to be with them.
“[Maddie] has been like a second mom to me for the entire time I’ve been here,” said BC student Staley Lyle, who is among a host of students who will miss Maddie when she’s gone, including those who shared memories of her staying up until 3 a.m. painting sets, teaching them how to operate power tools, experiencing “thousands of pounds” of curtain falling on them, and listening to her scream, “We need hands!” or “Heads!” during chaotic work calls.
What I can say about Maddie is she’s a great person, always willing to deal with our outrageous shenanigans. She’s like the fun aunt that brings food to your birthday parties. I don’t think there’s ever been a time where Maddie hasn’t reached out to someone who needed it. She’s a friend I’m glad to have made here at college.
– Aaron Suddereth, BC student
