The Manhasset Secondary School will dedicate its black box theater to a former set designer and prominent member of the Manhasset community.
Karl F. Hueglin, Jr., who died in 2017 at 88, graduated from Columbia University with a degree in theater arts and used his skills to design sets for over 60 school plays and Senior Frolics over the course of 40 years, long after his own children had graduated.
An art director and designer of television commercials by profession, Hueglin designed for Off-Broadway shows like “Billy Liar” and “The Hostage,” and worked at DuMont Studios.
John Shorter, a former theater teacher in Manhasset, said in a 2017 column written for the New York State Theatre Education Association that Hueglin had approached him soon after his appointment.
“I was in the hall, during a break from speaking to groups of parents, when a red haired man came over to me and said, ‘My kids aren’t in theatre, they play lacrosse, but I’m a professional set designer and I used to help Roger, the drama teacher who was here before you,'” Shorter wrote. “‘If you ever need some help, let me know. That evening was the beginning of a wonderful collaboration.'”
Shorter added that Hueglin welcomed any student who wanted to help out.
“Special education teachers brought handicapped students to crew sessions,” Shorter wrote. “Assistant principals and deans of students brought young people who needed a place to keep busy and out of trouble. Teachers brought lonely students who needed a group to belong to. Karl welcomed them all with open arms.”
The New York State Theatre Education Association even created a scholarship for technical students in Hueglin’s name and continues to award it at its yearly conference.
In addition to his work at Manhasset Secondary, Hueglin was a former fire commissioner and chief of the Plandome Fire Department, and served as a member of Plandome’s Board of Trustees.
Efforts to reach the Hueglin family were unavailing.
The dedication ceremony is being organized by Manhasset Backstage, members of the Manhasset Board of Education, Director of Fine and Performing Arts Christopher Hale and theater teacher Robb Fessler. The ceremony will take place at Manhasset Secondary School at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
