For senior Charlie Eisenacher-Knott, artistry means sometimes breaking with convention. 

Instead of taking the conventional route and beginning the BEAST program with the introductory course Mechanical Arts Design Engineering (MADE), they took Biological Arts Design Engineering (BADE) for two years. Then with plenty of begging, they persuaded BEAST adviser Scott Hudson to let them join his Creative Arts Design and Engineering (CADE). 

Usually, students in the program will take CADE after completing MADE and BADE. However, Hudson could see that Eisenacher-Knott was persistent. 

“I went straight to Mr. Hudson and pleaded with him to let me join CADE,” Eisenacher-Knott said. “I said, ‘Please, I beg of you!’ ”

While the class was unlike any they had been in before, CADE allowed Eisenacher-Knott to draw upon their previous experience in technical theater. 

“[Tech theater] taught me how to work with other people as a team,” Eisenacher-Knott said. “That was really helpful to have that experience and then [enter CADE] and not be like, ‘What do I do?’ ”

“Everyone was so nice,” Eisenacher-Knott said. “It did not feel like I was being sized up or judged. In fact, I was welcomed with open arms.” 

“I was given this space to talk about the stuff I liked and found that the people around me were interested too.” 

One standout memory was when the class took a field trip to Knott’s Berry Farm to learn about the intricacies behind building Knott’s Scary Farm. 

“I had the greatest time of my life.” Eisenacher-Knott said. “I was like, ‘I want to work here, this is fantastic.’ ”

Hudson believes that Eisenacher-Knott has the ability to make that dream a reality. 

“Charlie has got some really terrific craftsmanship,” Hudson said. “They are really talented with an airbrush, which is an acquired skill.”

 After high school, Eisenacher-Knott hopes to pursue Special Effects (SFX) makeup at Knott’s Scary Farm.