Experience

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  Lake Compounce Amusement Park

  • Bristol, Connecticut, United States

  • Senior Manager, Entertainment and Events

    • Sep 2023 - Present
    • Bristol, Connecticut, United States

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  Anakeesta

  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States

  • Creative Director

    • Apr 2022 - Aug 2023
    • Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States

    - Lead creative development for marquee events that include Spring, Halloween, and Christmas celebrations- Developed storyline and guest experience concept for the park's first themed mountain coaster attraction.- Develop storyline for new land development- Oversee creative development of new entertainment offerings- Develop company’s first Entertainment Department- Creatively oversaw the launch of the company's first internally produced entertainment program.- Create new entertainment offerings, develop concepts and write scripts- Hire and manage contracted show writers- Created Shamrock Celebration event to drive guest attendance and engagement during historically low attendance period in March.

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  Universal Orlando Resort

  • United States
  • Entertainment Providers
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Senior Show Director

    • Sep 2021 - Mar 2022

    - Show Director and Writer with Entertainment Creative Development in Art & Design.- Develop storyline, creative treatments, and scripts for Halloween Horror Nights, the world's premier Halloween event.- Pitch creative to IP rights holders for approval.- Lead development for marquee event entertainment and new live entertainment offerings.- Design presentations and pitch creative to executive leadership for project approval.

  • Show Director

    • Jul 2016 - Sep 2021

    - Show Director and Writer with Entertainment Creative Development in Art & Design. - Show Director/Writer for street atmosphere and scare zones for Halloween Horror Nights. Work includes developing concept, teaming with designers, scriptwriting, casting, providing show direction, rehearsing, and maintaining show quality.- Provide creative concept document preparation to gain approval from Intellectual Property rights holders. - Develop concepts and provide show direction for Mardi Gras parade at Universal Orlando Resort.- Design presentations and pitch creative concepts to executives and Intellectual Property holders for approval.- Show Director for 2016 Macy's Holiday Parade at Universal Orlando Resort.

  • Actor A

    • Oct 2014 - Jul 2016

    • Cast in highly rated shows and experiences at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. • Shows currently trained in are 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' and 'Olivanders'.

  • Performance Coordinator

    • Sep 2015 - Nov 2015

    • Responsible for maintaining street atmosphere show quality and assisting the creative team for 'Halloween Horror Nights 25'. • Trained over 200 street performers in three differently themed street scare zones. Each zone had a unique storyline. • Assisted with Casting to fill holes when performers called out. • Partnered with Stage Management and Operations to make sure streets were continuously covered for maximum Guest impact. • Achieved the highest Guest Satisfaction results for street scare zones the event has ever received in its 25 years. • Coached cast to keep morale up, and addressed cast concerns. Gave continuous feedback for run of the event. • Directed shows on small stages that were scattered around the streets.

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  Comic Books

  • Comic Book Writer

    • Jan 2016 - Jan 2022

    Writer whose work has appeared in independent comic books publishers such as Source Point Press, Ingram Comics, and Big Wonder World Comics.

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  Various Theatres

  • Performing Arts
  • 200 - 300 Employee

  • Fight Director

    • 2003 - Sep 2020

    • Coordinated fights and utilitarian stunts in high risk, fast paced, and pressure filled environments. • Focused on a Safety First approach to achieving exciting character driven theatrical violence. • Experience working on AEA, SAG and non-union productions. • Understand the need to influence clients into safe choices while also trying to achieve all of their artistic choices. • Skilled in problem solving and creative solutions, especially during last minute changes. • Know that collaboration is key, but understand when a definitive choice must be made to maintain a safe show. • Led the instruction of safe stage/film fight and utilitarian stunt techniques to performers of varied experience and skill levels. • Coordinated the safe implementation of firearms in live events and theatre. This includes modern and black powder firearms. • Understand the need to facilitate clear communication between all departments to ensure a safe and successful show. • Enjoy coaching various personality types to work together for a common goal. • Continually improving by studying the newest techniques used by current entertainment professionals.

  • Theatre Director

    • Jul 2002 - Jul 2016

    • Directing credits include modern to classical, traditional theatre to interactive theatre, established scripts, large scale stunt shows, and original work. • Experience directing with full creative teams that include writers, staging specialists, stunt, and Special FX coordinators. • Developed staging for small intimate spaces, traditional theatrical stages, and large scale event stages. • Coached actors through characterization choices to ensure that the performer feels like they have command of the character. • Understand that entertainment is a collaborative effort, but also know when it is time to make a decision and move forward. • Experience creating and maintaining seasonal shows themed for Halloween, Christmas, and special events. • Collaborated with dance choreographers and music directors for large variety shows. • Taught performers the art of audience interaction. • AEA and non union productions. • Local companies worked with include Mad Cow Theatre and Orlando Theatre Project. Directing resume available upon request.

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  Walt Disney World

  • Lake Buena Vista, FL

  • Actor

    • Jul 2012 - Jan 2020
    • Lake Buena Vista, FL

    As a member of Walt Disney World Entertainment, I serve as the frontline face of the company to guests. I must uphold the values of the company, give a good show, and anticipate guest's needs so that I may assist in making their experience memorable in any way I can. A strong emphasis is placed upon making the guest's experience a personal one that is unique to them.Cast in shows that focus on high energy, improv performances for highly rated guest experiences. Shows cast in at Walt Disney World include: World Showcase Players, Pirate Tutorial, Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage, and the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.

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  Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows

  • Actor

    • Jan 2012 - Jan 2019

    Perform as a host and interactive characters in a comedic scripted mystery with heavy emphasis on improvisation and audience interaction.

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  Zeno Creative Entertainment Group

  • Manheim, PA

  • Casting Director

    • Dec 2015 - Jan 2018
    • Manheim, PA

    • Responsible for casting actors, singers, musicians, and stunt performers. • Most shows require actors strong in improvisation and hosting. • Partner with stunt coordinator and music director to ensure all casting needs are filled with the best performers. • Attend Unified Professional Theatre Auditions (UPTA), Institute of Outdoor Theatre auditions, and large local auditions

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  Feld Entertainment

  • Orlando, FL

  • Casting Assistant

    • Apr 2016 - Apr 2016
    • Orlando, FL

    • Assisted Feld Entertainment's Casting team at the Orlando, FL auditions for the MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! stunt show.• Ran warm-ups for stunt audition.• Assisted Fight Choreographer in the teaching of fight routines to auditioners.• Coached performers on their fight technique to help improve their audition.

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  Disney Parks & Resorts

  • Lake Buena Vista, FL

  • Disney Traditions Facilitator

    • Jul 2014 - Feb 2016
    • Lake Buena Vista, FL

    Serving as a facilitator for Walt Disney World's unsurpassed Traditions program. Disney Traditions is a full day class in which two facilitators teach new employees the history of the Walt Disney Company and its core values. Traditions facilitators serve as the Company's first ambassadors to Cast Members on their initial day of work, and are some of the first leaders new hires experience. They must partner with each other for quick decision making regarding things such as time management, Disney Look coaching, and assisting with any individual needs that may arise.

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  Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire

  • Creative Director

    • Nov 2009 - Jan 2012

    • Managed a team of 10 writers, directors, and stunt coordinators to produce 30 shows on 14 outdoor stages for over 250,000 guests per thirteen week season. • Set creative vision and direction for the season, developed storylines and seasonal themes • Fostered a system of better communication between departments such as marketing, food and beverage, retail, maintenance, and the entertainment production/tech team. This led to an increased efficiency for all events produced. • Coordinated the hiring of outside special effects and stunt companies to increase the excitement and safety of shows • Organized local auditions and attended large unified auditions. • Created a stronger online and social media presence concerning auditions. This led to an increased number of talented performers from NYC attending the local auditions. • Solved budget concerns by more efficiently distributing entertainment around grounds that had grown larger. • Collaborated with Technical Director to design stages and create theatrical playing spaces that included street atmosphere. • Led the revamping of street atmosphere to include more character interaction for guests. • Coordinated with an accomplished dance choreographer to increase the level of dance performed at the music shows. • Organized entertainment and characters for live media drops with local radio and television stations. • Organized entertainment for Make a Wish Foundation fundraiser that featured regional TV news and radio anchors.

  • Show Director / Writer

    • Nov 2008 - Nov 2009

    • After working a season as contracted director, was hired to be part of the full time creative staff. • Coordinated with creative team of directors and writers to develop entertainment for the season. • Provided musical arrangement for comedy musical review show and collaborated with the music director to arrange music for an hour and a half musical variety show that was the finale to the faire day. • Fight choreographer for all shows. This included 3 large scale stunt shows, and two Shakespeare productions. • Set the vision of how stage fights would be directed and performed for a team of 5 fight choreographers.

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  Theatre in the Mansion

  • Manheim, PA

  • Producing Artistic Director

    • Nov 2009 - Jan 2012
    • Manheim, PA

    • Managed an interactive theatre series that was held in an old Victorian mansion. • Produced shows throughout the season that included the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens, and original works by the creative team. • Created an interactive murder mystery dining experience. The show became a sell out and is now going into its seventh year of production. • Managed the production budgets, as well as all casting and contract negotiations. • Delegated the directing of shows as well as being responsible for directing several of them.

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  Tokyo Disney Resort (Oriental land Co. ltd,)

  • Urayasu, Chiba, Japan

  • Comedic Stunt Actor in 'The Buccaneer Brigands'

    • Nov 2004 - May 2005
    • Urayasu, Chiba, Japan

    • Performed in a two man comedy sword fight show that was written in Japanese. • Worked throughout the contract with bi-lingual cast members to ensure the language was spoken in a very proficient manner so that guests felt at ease and completely immersed in the show. Especially for improvised and interactive moments.