“Engineering has always sort of [been a] thing that I’ve enjoyed,” Brown said. “I kind of got into it around elementary, about second grade, when I joined the LEGO robotics team, and from there I became interested in all sorts of machines, and just kind of expanded as I grew up. Back then I was a loner, so [it was] kind of my way of branching out into new connections.”

While engineering came naturally, theater was an unexpected addition to Brown’s high school life. Even so, theater found its way into his heart, and Brown become an integral part of the theater program.

“I do just about everything for theater,” Brown said. “I run lights, I run sound for events and then I lead lighting for plays and musicals. My main thing is I make sure that theater can continue even after I’m gone, so someone can fill each role.”

Brown’s connection to the arts didn’t emerge overnight. Even though theater hasn’t always been a part of his life, the arts have always surrounded him, shaping his journey into diving into theater technology.

“For the most part, my family was quite receptive [of me being in theater], because all of us are artists of some sort: my uncle is a photographer; my mother is into culinary arts; my grandma was into choir,” Brown said. “My grandpa, he’s got his own little thing, but he was [in] computer science. So that all kind of culminated into me getting into arts and more the technical side of arts.”

While Brown’s family embraced his new path with technical theater, his grandfather’s support was profound. He deeply believes in Brown’s dedication to his craft. Fellow theater tech crew member Moss Tunay (12) sees and deeply values his commitment similar to his grandfather.

“Seeing him being able to do [theater and other activities for the school] and get it done, and be fine with it is very inspiring because I am not that person,” Tunay said. “I struggle to get all my things done, but seeing that someone else can do it [makes me think], ‘Hey, maybe I can do it too.’”

Brown’s ability to inspire those around him and stay focused motivates others to emulate his habits. This leadership isn’t unnoticed by his robotics coach, Ted Waterson.

“He took the initiative to introduce himself to younger people,” Waterson said. “He doesn’t come up to students right away and start being really demanding. He goes and starts talking to them about what’s going on. [He asks], ‘What’s going on?,’ ‘What are you doing?’ and ‘Is there a place you need help?’”

Brown’s leadership and genuine interest in others fosters a supportive environment where people feel encouraged to ask for help. Tunay appreciates this quality of his.

“[Kadan’s] very easy for me to relate to him,” Tunay said. “When I have stuff going on or I need help with something, I can ask him. He’s very self-assured, and he assures me that I can do it. Which is great because sometimes that’s what I need.”

This sense of camaraderie and emotional awareness is evident in Brown’s commitment to theater. For him, theater isn’t only about the technical skills, but the emotions that he can convey through his skills.

“I enjoy theater so much due to the fact that it’s kind of my place to truly express myself,” Brown said. “Because, whether you think it or not, the lights are more or less an expression of my emotions towards what I’m actually working on, and my expression of my thoughts of the different scripts and the different plays and how I interpret it. So, it’s kind of my creative outlet [to] let those feelings out and put those feelings on display for all to see.”

The connection between technical work and emotional expression extends beyond the stage. Both in robotics and theater, Brown carries a sense of responsibility–a sense that motivates him to continually improve and contribute to the success of his teams. He’s effectively learning to support his peers in different ways: theater a direct, loud and collaborative  approach, while robotics requires a methodical, do-your-task approach. In both fields he can have an impact on each any every person that he supports.

“I stay motivated [by] learning I have an obligation in both those fields,” Brown said. “[For] robotics, my obligation is to make sure the team is best fit for when they actually make it to competition, and I hold that quite high. [In] theater, my job is to display the excellence of theater and display the excellence of our school. It’s the fact that I’m working towards such a large goal that pushes me and propels me to learn more and continue my work here.”

Brown’s work ethic is one that his robotics coaches count on. In addition to his role as a field technician for Rambunction, Waterson gives Brown additional responsibilities with things he can’t figure out himself.

“[Kadan] stood out because he was quiet and a hard worker and reliable,” Waterson said. “Me and the other robotics coach, [Stephen] Schmidt, noticed his whole approach was what we liked. He was very trustworthy. So that’s a big deal for us because it’s kind of dangerous. There’s all these big tools and lots of expensive stuff, and so we’re always kind of aware, ‘Can we trust these students?’ We knew right away that we could trust him. He would come talk to us individually all the time when he wasn’t sure on how to proceed, he would always ask permission before using any of the big equipment.”

Many of Brown’s peers believe that his ability and determination sets him apart from the rest. Tunay is one of these people that notices Brown’s distinction.

“I think Kadan just goes for it,” Tunay said. “I’ve definitely seen moments where I’m freaking out about something, or something’s going on backstage, and I’m stressed about it and I’m worried. And then he’s just like, ‘It’s fine’, and, ‘We’re gonna do it’, like it kind of sucks and then we get through it. He remains calm in situations of high stress, or he pretends that he does. He puts on a face where he can do it.”

Tunay views Brown as someone who remains level-headed during chaotic times in theater. However, beneath the surface Brown reveals a different perspective.

“I don’t [keep myself calm in stressful situations] – that’s the whole thing,” Brown said. “My job is very stressful, but then you channel that stress into excitement. Because stress and excitement are actually the same type of reaction, it’s just the way you interpret the reaction [that’s different]. If you are stressed, or if you are scared, or if you are anxious, you can transfer that anxiousness or stress [and] interpret it as excitement. Instead of being stressed for whatever job I’m working, I’m more excited for what I’m going to do. I’m excited for the possibility. I’m just excited to do what I do.”

This approach to reconfigure stress into excitement reflects a perspective Brown brings to all aspects of his life, especially in theater. While many might focus on their personal recognition on stage, he is driven by the responsibility he feels for everyone in theater while behind the scenes.

“I don’t necessarily do theater for me,” Brown said. “I do theater for everyone else, and what I mean by that is even though I do enjoy theater, I do it more so because if I don’t, I’ll be the missing cog. That just isn’t a good feeling. I do it for the betterment of everyone else, and I take pride in that.”