John Heimbuch (Theater 1996) Speaks to Students During Common Experience

January 28, 2025

Perpich alum, John Heimbuch (Theater 1996), spoke with students during Common Ex on Monday, January 27th. Common Ex is a series of presentations where students often hear about the artistic life from practicing artists, many of whom are Perpich graduates.

John Heimbuch (Theater 1996)

“I had a lovely time speaking with the Perpich students,” said John. “They were an attentive and curious group, and some of the most talented young artists in Minnesota across a wide variety of disciplines. They had thoughtful questions and insights about not just my artistic processes, but the various aspects of building a creative life and career. It’s always interesting talking about the business of artmaking, and our inability to anticipate where our career will take us, or who we’ll be when we get there.”

During his presentation, John made connections to his professional life and how his time at Perpich opened his mind to thinking that the arts are not siloed. While here as a student in theater, he also made puppets with Visual Arts students and learned dance from Dance students. He went on to earn a degree in Dance from Minnesota State University, Mankato, something that was unexpected. “I thought I was a theater kid but then I got a Dance degree,” he said. “You never really know where your life is going to go.”

Over the years, John has been surprised by the moves and opportunities that have been presented to him. From acting and playwriting, to performing in a steampunk band and leaning into filmmaking, he encouraged Perpich students to “always move toward the thing that your curiosity is leading you to.” And along the way, “create as much support for yourself” as possible. “I think of my career as walking, one foot at a time. At age 43, I went to MCTC (Minneapolis Community & Technical College) to learn filmmaking. Sometimes the path one takes is really circuitous.”

John Heimbuch (Theater 1996), spoke with students during Common Ex on Monday, January 27th.

“It was wonderful to have an alum return with great stories and insightful lessons,” said Jay Melchior, Special Education Teacher. “John had great things to say about collaboration and being kind because of how that positive energy you put out returns in unexpected ways. That became especially evident as he explained how one connection and collaboration led to another, which led to another. Eventually, being open minded and willing to try new things has allowed him to do everything from write, perform, and create in every art area!”

John is a founding member and Artistic Director of Walking Shadow Theatre Company. He has directed many of Walking Shadow’s productions. His original scripts for Walking Shadow include “A Midwinter Night’s Revel”, “The Transdimensional Couriers Union”, and “William Shakespeare’s Land of the Dead” — which has been published by Samuel French and produced throughout the world. In addition to his work with Walking Shadow, John is a filmmaker, immersive experience developer, educator, and sings with the rock band, Bad September. He is an alumnus of Minnesota State University, Mankato, the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, and Perpich Center for Arts Education. He can be found online at johnheimbuch.com.