About

Thomas McClain has spent his working life in the entertainment industry. From a movie projectionist to a Technical Director and major Special Events Coordinator, he has experience in virtually all aspects of  technical theatrical production. While working as a union stagehand in Orange County, CA., he earned years of experience in stage operations, including audio, electrics, high rigging, flyman, carpentry, spotlight and other theatrical disciplines.

As a 30 year member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.) Tom created training programs for stagecraft and theatrical rigging. He served as Vice President of Local 504 and acted as the contract negotiator for local venues.

He worked as Head Sound at a 16,000 seat amphitheater for 13 years, contributing to over 600 concerts. Simultaneously, he worked as Head Carpenter and Technical Director for the Opera Pacific Company where he was responsible for the technical aspects of 50 grand opera productions over 10 years. As a union officer he conducted seminars on stagecraft and concert rigging.

In 1994 he began working with the Walt Disney Company on the most spectacular film world premiers ever presented. As a freelance Technical Director and Designer, he has worked on major special events around the world. He has contributed to hundreds of stage presentations, festivals, corporate shows, concerts and special events.

As a founding member of the Event Safety Alliance he contributed to the Event Safety Guide, a publication created by production professionals in response to the Indianapolis State Fair concert stage collapse.

As an Expert Witness he has worked on stage accidents during both tech and performance, stage construction errors, rigging accidents, audience saftey and other related issues.