The Value of Automation with Gareth Conner

Why should we use automation in the theatrical world? What is its uses and benefits? How can we best use it? Watch to learn the basics in our discussion with Gareth Conner.

About Gareth Conner
Gareth Conner is President of Creative Conners and the author of the Scenic Automation Handbook. He has been in the business of making scenery move for more than 25 years, but theatrical automation hasn’t always been his passion. At age 3, after loving encouragement from his parents to be anything he wanted when he grew up, he decided he wanted to be a whale. Whales are really neat. By age 5, he had recovered from that obvious disappointment, and excitedly asked for a set of “real” tools for Christmas. The heartbreak at receiving plastic “toy” tools served only to inspire. Eventually Gareth did get his hands on real tools, dove into theatre and got hooked on theatrical automation. Years later, Gareth found himself equipped with the experience of automating scenery using a wide range of mechanical and electronic techniques (some of which are better left forgotten) on budgets ranging from dozens to millions of dollars. He grew convinced he could create a system of automation components that would reduce the cost and complexity of scenic automation. That conviction was inspiration for Creative Conners, Inc. and it is the most fun he ever had. Even better than being a whale.