DAVID C. PECORARO
~ CURRICULUM VITAE ~
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
Update: April 2012
PROFESSOR, THEATRICAL PRODUCTION MANAGER, and LIGHTING DESIGNER with positions held in three Orange County institutions of higher education, Saddleback Community College, University of California, Irvine,
Vanguard University of Southern California - combined with simultaneous professional and volunteer work. Professional activities include, author, Internet company founder, and podcaster.
Website: http://www.davidpecoraro.com/
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
VANGUARD University OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Costa Mesa, California 2004 to Present
Professor / Associate Chair / Production Manager / Lighting Designer
Tenured full time faculty member with the Christian University of Higher Education.
• Interim Theatre Department Chair, Fall Semester, 2005
• Head of NAST Accreditation (Vanguard University Theatre is fully accredited)
• Production manager and lighting designer for the six production season.
• Managed the theatre departments trips to the Kennedy Centers American College
Theatre Festival
• Chair, Faculty Development Committee
• Member, WASC Accreditation Committee / Special Assignment, Faculty Assessment & Development
• Fall Gathering Coordinator
• Courses Taught: Career Directions & Your Daily Bread
Cornerstone
Dramatic Theory and Criticism
Stage Management
Lighting Design
Introduction to Theatre
Introduction to The Arts
Digital Design for the Theater
Producing and Management
Senior Project
• Professional Activities: NAST Coordinator for accreditation
Mentor, Newport Mesa High School
Creative Consultant, Discovery Arts
Consultant, Theatre Management Tools
Co-Founder, Student Caring
Founder, Company Shepherd
University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 1997 to 2004
Highly rated international university with undergraduate and graduate programs in drama and the fine arts.
Instructor
Faculty head for the graduate and undergraduate programs in stage management and all stage crews.
• Scout, recruit and interview all students for admission to the program.
• Write all curriculum for the program including nine quarters of unique syllabi for the three-year program.
Including; The Digital Stage Manager, Networking, Theatre Safety, and People Skills Development.
• Developed the program to a level of national prominence. Highly rated in 2 U/RTA reviews.
• Teach courses in stage management, theatre production, and independent studies.
DAVID C. PECORARO
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Continued University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
Instructor
• Head instructor for the required course for crews, Drama-101. Assign students to stage crews production area shops; scenery, costumes, lighting, and audio.
• Participate in the formulation of all drama department program issues.
• Mentor student; scenic designers, costume designers, lighting designers, audio designers and stage managers.
• Provide all emergency preparedness and safety instruction including C.P.R. and First Aid.
Production Manager
Responsible for the administration and management of all functions that support the production and performance activities of over 250 public performances for each academic season. (14 main-stage productions; 10 in drama and 4 in dance.)
• Create all calendars, deadlines, and budgets for productions.
• Approve all financial transactions for the purchase of equipment and materials.
• Approve all scenic designs / drawings prior to the beginning of construction. Work with student designers to make any required revisions.
• Computerized / Networked all production communications.
• Theatre consultant for the newly renovated Claire Trevor Theatre, and the soon to be renovated, Little and Studio Theatres. Consultant for the new ArtsPlaza amphitheatre.
• Advertise, interview hire, and supervise all production staff.
SADDLEBACK COLLEGE, Mission Viejo, California 1980 to 1997
Prominent community college with undergraduate programs in theatre and fine arts.
Instructor 1980 to 1997
Wrote curriculum and taught courses in theatre production, lighting design, stage management and special event production.
• Wrote all curriculum and taught courses in theatre production (17 years), stage management (17 years), and lighting design (1 year). Theatre production was a lab/lecture course including instruction in all production elements for the theater and a lab (crew / shop assignment) component.
• Developed relationships with all “feeder” high school instructors as a recruitment tool.
Production Manager 1980 to 1997
Responsible for the planning and execution of over 60 events annually in the McKinney and Studio Theatres.
• Integrated the student’s education with realization of all theatre rentals.
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1976 to 1980
M.F.A. Graduate Program in Theatre and Design Technology.
Graduate Teaching Assistant 1976 to 1980
• Design, draft and construct scenery, props, costumes, and lighting.
• Teach undergraduate students shop and crew operations for all productions.
FULLERTON CIVIC LIGHT OPERA, Fullerton, California 1974 to 1976
Musical theatre production company producing a season of six productions per season.
Technical Director 1980 to 1997
Responsible for the construction and painting of six productions per season.
• Set deadlines for all the completion of all scenic elements.
• Hire and supervise all personnel for the scene shop and show operation crews.
• Design and build all properties.
DAVID C. PECORARO
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EDUCATION
M.F.A. Theatre Design & Technology Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1980
Radio City Music Hall, New York, New York, Theater Technology Studies, 1979
Walnut Street Theater, Philadelphia, Apprentice Studies, 1979
B.A. Theatre Design & Technology California State University at Fullerton, 1977
California State University at San Diego, Studies in Theater, 1976
A.A. Theatre Major Fullerton College, Fullerton, California, 1975
Continuing Education: Courses Seminars and Certifications.
• The Art and Craft of Discussion Leadership, Harvard Business School, 2003
• Regulating Proximate Fireworks, Los Angeles Fire Authority, 2001
• Expert Witness (Theatre Safety), 1999
• Certified Mediator, State of California, 1999
• People Skills Workshop, by Tom Champoux, 1999
• The Stage Manager and Stress USITT, 1998
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
Highly experienced with both Windows and Mac Operating systems and the following programs:
Microsoft Office Suite, Apple: Keynote, Numbers, Pages, iLife, Xcode
Adobe CS5, (Spotlight, Renderworks), Painter 11
AFFILIATIONS
URTA University / Regional Theatre Association
IAAM International Association of Assembly Managers
ATHE Association for Theatre in Higher Education
NAST National Association for Schools of Theatre
PROFESSIONAL AND VOLUNTEER WORK
Instructor 1999
George Washington University / The Event Management Certificate Program
Instructor for the two-day seminar, “Corporate Event Management” for the University’s Extension Program at San
Diego University. The seminar is a required course towards the student’s certificate as a Certified Special Events Manager.
Producer & President 1993 to 1995
DP Productions, Anaheim / California
The special event production company produced the 1994, Fashion Island – Newport Beach,
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Two years of development work for the yet to be realized,
“Biblical Arts Masterworks” production. Volunteer work for causes.
Instructor 1991 to Present
Guest Lecturer/Presenter Various Educational Institutions / Southern California
Guest lecturer and presenter at special event seminars. Instructor of courses in Theater
Management and Stage Management.
DAVID C. PECORARO
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Producer 1989
The City of Calgary / Calgary, Canada
Produced the Grand Opening and Gala Fundraiser for the Cities new Center. Winner of the
best International Special Event, 1989 - MAXXI Award.
Creative Consultant 1989
The City of Jacksonville / Jacksonville, Florida
Created a One Hour Live Television Special Celebration.
Production Manager / Stage Manager 1989
Forest Fair Grand Opening Gala / Cincinnati, Ohio
The Grand Opening and Fundraiser featured artists, Marie Osmond, Tim Weisberg, and a
sit down dinner for 3,000 attendees.
Lighting Designer 1988 - On going
Rivercenter Christmas Pageant / San Antonio, Texas
The annual “Los Pasados” River Parade - Christmas Pageant performing to over 150,000
each year.
Event Manager / Stage Manager 1988
White House, Republican National Convention / Super Dome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Responsible for President Ronald Reagan’s entrance onto the Convention floors.
Event Manager 1988
Special Effects, Pyrotechnics and Lighting Designer
New Orleans Center Grand Opening Celebration / New Orleans, Louisiana
Production Stage Manager 1988
Neil Sedaka Live! / MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
Event Manager / Stage Manager 1987
United Way of America Centennial Celebration / Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Managed the event including the participation of Vice President Bush and the U.S. Armed
Forces at the Lincoln Memorial and Kennedy Center.
Event Manager 1987
Papal Visit / Super Dome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Organized 12,000 Volunteers for the Papal Youth Rally in the Super Dome.
Event Manager / Stage Manager 1987
Bayside / Miami, Florida
Grand Opening for the City of Miami.
Special Effects Designer 1987
“The Great American Boardwalk Electric Light & Magic Show” Ceasars Palace, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Production Stage Manager 1987
Disneyland Entertainment / Disneyland, Anaheim, California
Responsible for various productions on the River Stage Venue. Featured performances, The Pointer Sisters and Lou Rawls.
DAVID C. PECORARO
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Event Manager 1987
United States Olympic Committee / Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, California
Fundraiser Dinner for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
Event Manager 1987
The City of Los Angeles Family Festival / Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, California
Event Manager / Stage Manager 1986
Tournament of Roses Parade, United Way of America / Rose Parade, Pasadena, California
Managed the opening parade unit consisting of 12 floats, a marching band of 400 and drill
team of 1000 for the United Ways Centennial Year kick off.
Lighting Design Consultant 1986
Star Tours Grand Opening / Tomorrowland, Disneyland, Anaheim, California
Lighting & Audio Designer 1985
The Californias Night ~ Governors Ball / San Diego, California
Creative Consultant 1983 to 1984
Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games / Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Original Concept Design work for Opening & Closing Ceremonies.
Event Manager / Stage Manager 1983
Super Bowl XVII / Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
Managed all aspects of the $200,000. Halftime Show for the National Football League.
Creative Development 1981 to 1983
Production Stage Manager / Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, California
“The Glory of Christmas”
Assisted with the creative development of the ‘Christmas Pageant’ production for its premier and run. Coordinated all aspects of the show including all coordination and management for the design and technical staff, casting, volunteers, costuming, props, scenery, flying, and camels! ‘Called’ the shows for the 3,000 seat cathedral. The show has been running between Thanksgiving and Christmas continuously since it’s opening and grosses over $4.5 Million annually.
Lighting & Special Effects Designer 1983
Six Flags, Sea World / Sea World, San Diego, California
Designed the lighting and atmospheric visual special effects for the Penguin Polar Exhibit.
Lighting Designer 1980
XIII Winter Olympics / Lake Placid, New York
Designed lighting for nightly awards ceremonies and “Victory Celebration.” Created special effects
for the U.S. Hockey Team and Eric Heiden. Event producer, Tommy Walker.
Lighting Designer 1980
Disneyland Entertainment / Disneyland, Anaheim, California
Designed special Sky-Lighting Effects for the New Years Eve Party.
Production Stage Manager 1975 to 1976
Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California
Production Stage Manager for various live stage presentations and “Headliners” in the 1,500
seat (John Wayne) theater including, The Everly Brothers, The Smothers Brothers,
Debbi Reynolds, Willie Nelson, etc...
DAVID C. PECORARO
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Lighting Designer 1974
Japanese Village and Deer Park / Buena Park, California
Guest Artists & Summer Spectacular Production
PUBLISHED
Student Caring: Blog, Podcast, Social Networking
I Can’t Imagine Producing Masterworks Without The Internet. UPI, Dove’ Magazine, Internet, 1985
Creating a Water Sparkle Effect Theater Crafts Magazine, October, 1980
Book Projects in progress: Things NOT To Do ~ Entertainment Safety / Community Involvement in the Arts. Event & Production Management for the Live Entertainment Business.
VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Producer 1993 to 1999
Discovery Arts Outreach / Jonathan Jaques Foundation, Memorial Hospital, Long Beach, California
Produce pro-bono, an annual special event - performance/experience for children with cancer and their families.
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