Jack Collins

Expression, Design, and Toys

My free time consists typically of sitting with a hot cup of tea, getting a paintbrush, and painting some of my favorite miniature models. While many see this as the ultimate activity of a nerd, it is a way to express and hone my artistic abilities.

Like every other child, I was fascinated with toys, especially soldiers. On a trip to Edinburgh, my ten-year-old self stumbled into a Warhammer store for the first time. I instantly fell in love with the eight-foot-tall super soldiers called Space Marines. It was years later that I discovered you could paint these super soldiers. This act of creation captivated my teenage brain. Every brush stroke added up to create an image of a mighty warrior. Every plastic model stood together like an army of my own. This craving for creation led me to a new art form.

Technical theatre is the quintessential playground for adults. It is the exact mixture of design and the thrill of putting on a show that I desired. Thus, my journey down the greatest rabbit hole ever had started. I would spend hours looking at new and old videos about lighting design, set design, and even costume design. I attended a summer camp and applied to college for technical theatre. Now, I am here.

My worldview has changed from when I was ten. I’ve painted many models and been in many shows. However, the one goal that keeps me going is the same. Each piece of art has to be better than the last.