Will Blair

• Head Carpenter for the 2024 National Tour of Elf the Musical and First National Tour of The Wiz
• Direct supervisor for all touring and local IATSE crew members, approximately 70 individuals.
• Advanced the show with all touring venues including labor, technical requirements and scheduling.
• Safe and accurate setup of all Creative Conners Automation Systems used within the show, as well as ZFX Performer Flying Systems.
• Coordinated with all departments to ensure that the technical elements were in place for each performance.
• Maintained a safe working environment by enforcing safety protocols during rehearsals and performances.
• Participated in weekly management meetings to discuss and contribute to the overall management of the touring production and personnel

• Contract, as needed, for special projects and QLab programming
• Organized rehearsals and performances to ensure that the production ran smoothly.
• Coordinated with other departments to ensure that the technical elements were in place for each performance.
• Operated QLab for each performance, controlling lighting, video and sound with approximately 450 cues in 87 minutes while also calling fly rail and deck cues.
• QLab programming for new tricks in rehearsal for both tour shows and Flamingo Showroom shows, including scripting and Streamdeck programming.

• Assisted in stage and technical setup and breakdown for performances in area venues.
• Assisted touring production crews for touring productions during load-in and load-out

• Oversaw the touring props department for the First National Tour of Mrs. Doubtfire, including one assistant and 5 local stagehands.
• Developed, managed and maintained a comprehensive props inventory system, including consumables.
• Ensured that all prop items were safe to use and stored properly between shows and during transport.
• Repaired broken or damaged props during the tour when needed including fabric, paint, and woodworking.
• Maintenance and installation of a marley dance floor at each tour stop.
• Set up band rehearsals and orchestra pit for a touring band of 3, along with 8 local musicians.

Champions of Magic US/UK Tour

Hollywood Special Effects US Tour

• Performed the duties of a traditional Head Carpenter, Production Stage Manager in addition to other duties.
• Oversee all technical and logistical aspects of the touring production including 6 department heads.
• Advanced the show with each of the venues, ranging from music halls to arenas to Broadway houses for 7 years, including all major cities (Chicago, Toronto, Los Angeles)
• Oversee the load-in process including the hanging of all electrics, scenic element assembly, sound set-up and all fly rail operations
• Designed and implemented all technical systems within the show (rigging, video, lighting)
• Operated and programmed the show (LX, audio, and video) from FOH using QLab, MIDI, and OSC controls.
• Arranged group travel, housing, hired crew and oversaw the overall management of the entire cast and crew

• Served as a Production Assistant during tech for Jagged Little Pill First National Tour
• Worked closely with Production Manger to provide administrative support, including expense tracking, daily shopping for all technical departments and artistic team, and general production support.
• Assisted various technical departments with general production projects to prepare the show for tour.

-Hourly-based lighting technician for a three theater venue

-Conducted proper set-up of lights from Lightwright paperwork, implementing necessary changes during production in addition to running cables

-Maintenance of conventional and moving fixtures

-Shop prep for a variety of fixtures, cables and effects

• Six contracts completed from May-August (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
• Oversaw the management of the company, approximately 80 people and two dogs, from cast to crew.
• Scheduled all rehearsal calls
• Oversaw all technical crews to maintain timely completion of projects to remain on schedule for production needs.
• Oversee nightly performances to insure artistic and technical integrity.

• Provide daily supervision of staff and direction of day-to-day operations
• Oversee Technical Operations of the cinema including digital content and management of projection equipment
• Oversee opening and closing procedure including cash handling and daily banking.
• Organized schedules, workflows and shift coverage to meet expected business demands.

Palace Theatre - West End

• Provided technical consultancy for Young and Strange, an illusion duo, during the tech of their routines.
• Assisted the Stage Management Team in understanding all illusions, pre-sets and operation, for Young and Strange.
• Assisted the DSM in cue points for Young and Strange.
• Consulted on all lighting requirements for the effective implementation of all illusions.

Champions of Magic US Tour 

• Assist in the unloading and setting up of touring equipment, including lighting fixtures, stage machinery and illusions
• Lead in the setting up, and show time operation, of curtain tracks and hemp flying of small items
• Assist in the maintenance of all touring equipment
• Other duties necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the show and tour

• 2 months as a Floor Technician with production teams installing shows onboard ships. Responsible for 6 stage hands, load-in and load out of set, rig checks, stage maintenance and other stage management jobs.
• 2 months as an Automation Technician onboard the Carnival Breeze. Responsible for all automation systems on the ship including maintenance, troubleshooting and operation