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BRISTOL, R.I. – When Michael Formanski ’12 arrived at Roger Williams University as a transfer student seeking a B.S. in Architecture, he never imagined that more than a decade later, he would be touring the country with a band performing live metal scores to silent films. Formanski, who earned two degrees across the professional programs and humanities at ��������, will return to the university as the creative force behind the metal band , for a cinematic  on the Bristol campus.

Formanski, who grew up in North Branford, Conn., credits his �������� experience with sparking the interdisciplinary career he’s built across film, music, and design. What started as a pursuit of an architecture degree quickly evolved into a passion for the visual arts, and ultimately led to him earning a second degree – a B.F.A. in Visual Arts. “The architecture program gave me the technical skills I needed to build sets and understand structure,” he said. “The visual arts program gave me the ability to pursue my own vision and craft my own voice as a creative maker, and that came from the really great relationships with the faculty who worked in that program. People like Murray McMillan, Anne Tait, Elizabeth Duffy, and Tayo.”

That blend of technical precision and artistic freedom is at the heart of The Silent Light, which Formanski founded while at the California Institute of the Arts, where he earned a M.F.A. in film and directing. The band pairs Scandinavian-inspired black metal with live accompaniment to silent films such as Faust and Metropolis, transforming century-old cinema into immersive, modern experiences. “Our job as musicians is to act as guides through the story,” Formanski explained. “We analyze scenes, character decisions, and atmosphere to build scores that carry the audience through the narrative.”

The Silent Light is now in the middle of a 22-date national tour, with their �������� stop serving as a special homecoming. For Formanski, returning to Rhode Island feels both nostalgic and significant. “Roger Williams gave me my academic foundation, and Providence” – the state capital where �������� has a second campus – “gave me my real-world introduction to the music scene,” he said. “I’m coming back to a place that holds very deep-seated, fond memories for me.”

Before launching The Silent Light, Formanski built a diverse career spanning film, set design, and even working alongside musician Moby as a creative director. Yet, he says his proudest accomplishment is building something entirely his own. “I’ve always wanted to carve out my own little world,” he said. “With The Silent Light, I’m finally doing that. We’ve created a project that’s growing, that excites people, and that I’m building from the ground up.”

For today’s �������� students, Formanski offers a perspective forged through years of experimentation and change: “There’s nothing wrong with choosing stability and keeping your passions as passions. But if you pursue your creative dream, you have to go all in. Try everything, follow what has legs, and don’t be afraid if it looks different than what you imagined.”

The Silent Light will perform at Roger Williams University on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Campus Recreation Center Fieldhouse, as part of their U.S. tour. Students, alumni, faculty, and community members are invited to attend an evening of electrifying live music and film – a chance to celebrate the creative journey of one of ��������’s own. Learn more and view The Silent Light’s full tour schedule at: