City Theatrical Employee Spotlight Series
Many people don’t know that City Theatrical products are mostly handmade, right here at our facility in Carlstadt, New Jersey, USA.
To celebrate our artisans and their work to create the unique lighting accessories used by entertainment and architectural projects every day, we invite you to explore the employees featured in this Employee Spotlight series page.
You can click to view each unique Employee Spotlight link from the table of contents, or browse below in reverse chronological order.
Quick Links to Employee Spotlight Interview pages:
Browse Employee Spotlight interviews below:
Andrew Nikel
View SpotlightIn memory of Andrew Nikel, who passed away on Thursday April 4, 2024. We celebrate his life and legacy by sharing his 2020 retirement interview from City Theatrical and memorial messages from friends and colleagues.
“The most memorable part of my 15-year tenure at City Theatrical is its terrific people. We’ve gotten through floods, and all kinds of problems. I have to say, I’ve been blessed. Every person I’ve worked with has taken their work very seriously. It was really a bonding thing. Plus, I truly enjoyed working with all the customers and designers, and seeing things change and grow, both at City Theatrical, and in the industry as a whole.”
- Andrew Nikel (upon his retirement from City Theatrical in April 2020)
Andrew worked as both a Master Electrician and Sales Manager, Andrew experienced and sold lighting solutions for major productions and installations nationwide
Women of City Theatrical
View SpotlightTo celebrate Women's History Month, we spoke with the women who work at City Theatrical, to find out more about their role, what they like best about working at City Theatrical, and what advice they would give to someone looking to start a career in the lighting industry.
“What advice would I give to someone wanting to pursue a career in Lighting? Learn as much as you can from those around you and let your curiosity roam free. Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions.”
- Elizabeth Lee, Customer Care / Sales Support, City Theatrical
Women of the Carlstadt, New Jersey office
Gary Fails
View SpotlightWe talked to City Theatrical's founder Gary Fails upon his retirement from the company in order to learn more about his career, inspirations, and future plans.
“The project I look back on as a highlight is the development of our Multiverse wireless DMX technology. Paul Kleissler and I dreamed of a new and advanced system of wireless data communication that could be scaled up to multiple universes. We started with a blank page and travelled around the country visiting chip designers and manufacturers. We created a system that had never been imagined before. As a company, it was a big bet on a new generation of technology that has gone on to provide City Theatrical’s present growth.”
- Gary Fails, Founder, City Theatrical
Gary Fails teaching a wireless DMX seminar at Super Saturday lighting event at NYU
Harrison Hohnholt
View SpotlightWe talked to Harrison Hohnholt, our Sales Manager, to learn more about his experience working with City Theatrical since 2014.
“People should work at City Theatrical because every day is something new. There is always a new project or a new problem to be solved. It is fun to be able to take an idea from a drawing to a fully realized product.”
- Harrison Hohnholt, Sales Manager, City Theatrical
Harrison Hohnholt at Cine Gear Atlanta in October 2023.
Christopher Lee and Kyle Donahue
Read SpotlightWe talked to our 2023 Summer Interns, Christopher Lee and Kyle Donahue, to learn more about their experience working at City Theatrical during Summer 2023. We explored one of their hands on projects at City Theatrical, which was a QolorFLEX NuNeon installation in the manufacturing office, overseen by City Theatrical Production Manager, Joe Fails.
"Every day, our interns face the challenge of doing things they have never done before with a smile on their faces, constantly asking what’s next, project after project."
- Joe Fails, Production Manager, City Theatrical
QolorFLEX NuNeon installed in the ceiling of the City Theatrical manufacturing office
Peter Nikel
Read SpotlightWe talked to Peter Nikel, our Electronics Assembly Manager, to learn more about his experience working with City Theatrical since 2013.
"Excellence at City Theatrical is about the ability to do anything, and get it done no matter how odd the request may seem. City Theatrical has helped me learn problem solving through creative redirection and the ability to multitask between projects."
- Peter Nikel, Electronics Assembly Manager, City Theatrical
Peter Nikel working on QolorPIX Pixel Tape strips for a custom order placed during February 2020.
Naum Bronz
Read SpotlightWe talked to Naum Bronz, our Mechanical Engineer, to learn more about his experience working with City Theatrical, which started in 1996 in the Bronx location, and continues today in Carlstadt, New Jersey.
"City Theatrical is consistently growing year after year, and offers new and exciting projects for staff at all experience levels. My own longevity at City Theatrical is in large part due to the excellent company culture and work environment."
- Naum Bronz, Mechanical Engineer, City Theatrical
Naum shaping aluminum for Martin MAC Aura XIP Top Hats
Lorlyn Sia
Read SpotlightIn celebration of her 22nd work anniversary at City Theatrical and Employee of the Month status, we talked to Lorlyn Sia, our Customer Service Manager and Sales Specialist, to learn more about her experience working with the company, how the company has both changed and remained the same over the years, and her advice for new hires.
"I’ve worked with a lot of people from all around the world at City Theatrical. There are so many different cultures and personalities and ways of doing business. I try to understand where each customer is coming from. It has helped me provide better customer service in all different situations."
- Lorlyn Sia, Customer Service Manager and Sales Specialist, City Theatrical
Lorlyn Sia recognized at ESTA's Dealer's Choice Customer Service Awards at LDI 2005
Tevin Cummings
Read SpotlightTo kick off our Employee Spotlight series, we featured Tevin Cummings, our Head of the Welding and Machinery Department. Tevin brings intelligence, humor, hard work, and creativity to his position at City Theatrical. He leads by example and works hard to ensure that every entertainment lighting accessory by City Theatrical is made with the same high-quality techniques.
“Being a welder has been my passion for the past 14 years. It has also been my craft growing up in my home country, Guyana. It feels as if I’m working with family every day – help is always there. City Theatrical isn’t just my workplace; it truly is my home away from home.”
- Tevin Cummings, Head of the Welding and Machinery Department, City Theatrical
Tevin welding accessories for entertainment
Become Part of our Team
City Theatrical has been inventing and manufacturing award winning products and technology for over 36 years. Even if you have never heard of City Theatrical, chances are you have seen our industry-trusted products brought to life in productions for live entertainment on Broadway stages, architectural installations, major television shows and film projects around the world. Want to be part of the team that invents, manufactures, and customizes unique lighting accessories for projects like Stranger Things, NBC’s The Tonight Show, SNL, America's Got Talent, U2’s 360 Tour, Hamilton, The Lion King, and many others?
Check out our jobs page and apply today.
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