Professor David C. Pecoraro, MFA

Theatre / Entertainment Safety Witness

Updated: November 2024
Anaheim, California USA

Welcome to my professional entertainment witness website.

Background Summary
Tenured Full-Time Professor, Litigation Consultant, Theatre / Entertainment Safety Witness, Student Caring Co-Founder, Author, Podcaster, Public Speaker, Entertainment Production Manager, Lighting and Special Effects Designer with positions in Higher Education, Professional Theatre, Leisure Industry, Theme Parks, and Special Events.

Entertainment Safety Witness
Perform case review, research, site inspections, litigation consulting, report preparation, deposition testimony, and court testimony in entertainment business cases. I have worked on over 58 cases.

Select Cases: (A complete list of cases is available upon request.)

• 2024 | Confidential active cases in the theatre, concert, and event industries.
• 2024 | A student fell through an open trapdoor to the concrete floor below and was severely injured.
• 2023 | A performer was injured when the wrong light cue caused an unexpected and unsafe condition.
• 2023 | A musician was injured when he fell off the edge of a stage.
• 2022 | A patron tripped and fell because of a stage lighting cable.
• 2022 | Injury of an audience volunteer because of a faulty prop.
• 2021 | Injury of an audience member during a theatrical production.
• 2021 | Injury of a stage technician on a television set.
• 2020 | A professional musician fell into a gap on the stage and sustained injuries.
• 2019 | An actress suffered a career-altering injury during a technical rehearsal.
• 2018 | During a dress rehearsal, a high school theatre student was injured by a prop.
• 2017  | A beauty pageant contestant fell into an orchestra pit.
• 2016  | At an industry conference, an attendee was invited to the stage and fell off.
• 2015  | A rock concert stage technician fell off of a stage.
• 2014  | An aspiring professional dancer’s foot was crushed by a stage lift on a cruise ship.
• 2012  | Injury of performer Bret Michaels during the 2009 Tony Awards. | Press | Video
• 1999  | Injury of an actor who was blinded by a spotlight and fell off of the stage.
• Consultant: The Event Safety Guide for The Event Safety Alliance .

AFFILIATIONS
• Event Safety Alliance, Member
• National Association for Schools of Theatre
• United States Institute for Theatre Technology
• Association for Theatre in Higher Education
• University / Regional Theatre Association
• Theatre Communications Group
• Stage Managers’ Association
• California Writers Club

Co-Founder – The Student Caring Project Student Caring | Anaheim, California | 2011 – Present
• A joint project with Dr. Daniel de Roulet of Irvine Valley College. The Student Caring Project seeks to educate students by understanding their strengths and challenges and by then helping them to make the most of their college educations. We aim to clarify expectations about the goals of higher education for both professors and students, and we provide practical tools for faculty, students, and students’ families that will increase student success.
• Co-Author: The Caring Professor: A Guide to Effective, Rewarding, and Rigorous Teaching | Amazon Author Page

Faculty Head of Graduate Stage Management
Production Manager University of California, Irvine | Irvine, California | 1997 – 2004
• During my tenure, I handled admissions to the graduate stage management program, wrote the curriculum, taught all courses, and led the program to national prominence. My former students are leaders in the entertainment business.
• Courses Portfolio: Introduction to Stage Management | Personnel Management | The Joy of Cue Calling | The Stage Manager and Safety | Special Events Management | The Stage manager and Stress | Work / Career Balance | Rehearsals | Technical Rehearsals and Performances
• Mentored graduate students; scenic designers, costume designers, lighting designers, audio designers, and stage managers.
• Instructor for the course for crews, Drama-101. Assign students to stage crews production area shops; scenery, costumes, lighting, and audio.
• As production manager, I handled the administration and management of all functions which support all performance activities for 250 public performances annually for the departments of drama, dance, and music.
• Supervised the full-time production team of 12 employees.
• Supervise adjunct stage management faculty.
• Developed production calendars, deadlines, and budgets for the school. Managed all financial transactions for materials and personnel within the $2,000,000. annual budget.
• Designed and implemented systems to computerize all production operations and communications.
• Responsible for the safety and training of all production personnel in the arts school, including support shops, rehearsal studios, and six performance venues.

Production Manager & Adjunct Faculty Saddleback College | Mission Viejo, California | 1980 – 1997
Head of Stage Management
• Courses Portfolio: Lighting Design | Advanced Lighting Design | Stage Management | Theater Production
• Resident production manager and lighting designer
• Mentor design, technology, and management students.
• Responsible for the planning and execution of over 75 events annually, including plays, musicals, music concerts, and guest artists and international touring companies.

Graduate Teaching Instructor Temple University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 1976 – 1980
• Course: Theater Production
• Design, build, and manage plays for the university at the main campus, downtown theatre, and the Walnut Street Theatre.

Technical Director & Resident Stage Manager Fullerton Civic Light Opera Company | Fullerton, California | 1974 – 1976
• Hire and supervise all personnel for the scene shop and show operation crews.
• Stage managed all musical theatre productions for the six-productions per season company.
• Manage the rental department.
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SECURITY CLEARANCE
• I have worked for the President of the United States on many events and have been cleared to do so by the United States Secret Service.

VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
• Producer: Discovery Arts Outreach / Jonathan Jaques Foundation, Memorial Hospital, Long Beach, California, 1993 – 1999 Produced, Pro Bono, an annual special event – performance/experience for children with cancer and their families.

ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTS
Executive Producer | Suburban Showgirl | 2013
• Produced the one-woman show in the NoHo Arts District | North Hollywood, California

Pyrotechnician | Pyro Spectaculars | 2013
• Worked on the crew to prepare, load, and fire the aerial display for the community of Woodbridge | Irvine, California

Creative Consultant | City of Bethlehem, West Bank | 1999
• Advised the mayor of Bethlehem for their Millennial Celebration, December 31, 1999 – 2000.

Instructor | George Washington University | 1999
• Instructor for the two-day seminar, “Corporate Event Management.” The seminar is a required course towards the student’s certificate as a Certified Special Events Manager

Producer | DP Productions | 1993 – 1995
• The special event production company produced the 1994 Fashion Island–Newport Beach, Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Two years of creative development work for the yet to be realized, “Biblical Arts Masterworks” production. Volunteer work for causes.

Producer | The City of Calgary | 1989
• Produced the Grand Opening and Gala Fundraiser for the Cities new Center. Winner of the ‘Best International Special Events,’ 1989 – MAXXI Award.

Special Effects Designer | The City of Jacksonville, Florida | 1989
• Balloon release (80,000) and management for the One Hour Live Television Special Celebration – Grand Opening Celebration, Jacksonville Landing & Labor Day Tribute.

Lighting Designer | Los Pasados | 1988 – Present
• For the City of San Antonio, Texas, I designed the lighting for the stage and river floats for their annual “Christmas Pageant River Parade.”

Event Stage Manager | The White House | 1988
• Responsible for President Ronald Reagan’s entrance onto the Convention floors and related entertainment, Super Dome, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Fireworks & Special Effects Designer | New Orleans | 1988
• Designed a balloon drop, indoor pyrotechnics and aerial fireworks show for the grand opening of the New Orleans Center.

Production Stage Manager | Neil Sedaka | 1988
• Managed the one night special event at the MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Event Stage Manager | The White House | 1988
• Managed the event, including the participation of Vice President Bush and the U.S. Armed Forces at the Lincoln Memorial and Kennedy Center.
• Decorated the Washington D.C. Mall reflection pond with 400 American flags.

Event Manager | Pope John Paul II | 1987
• Organized a group of 12,000 volunteers for the realization of a card stunt at the Papal Youth Rally in the Super Dome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Event Manager | Bayside | 1987
• Grand opening special event for the city of Miami, Florida

Special Effects Designer | Caesars Palace | 1987
• Designed unique illuminated properties for “The Great American Boardwalk Electric Light & Magic Show,” Caesars Palace, Atlantic City, New Jersey

Production Stage Manager | Disneyland | 1987
• Responsible for headliner productions on the Tom Sawyer Island Stage. Featured performances, The Pointer Sisters and Lou Rawls. Anaheim, California.

Event Manager | United States Olympic Committee | 1987
• Fundraiser Dinner for the 1984 Summer Olympics, games of the XXIII Olympiad. Los Angeles, California.

Parade Stage Manager | Tournament of Roses Parade | 1986
• Managed the opening parade unit comprising 12 floats, a marching band of 400 and a drill team of 1000 for the United Ways Centennial Year kick off. Pasadena, California.

Lighting Design Consultant | Disneyland | 1986
• Advised on the lighting design for the grand opening of the “Star Tours” attraction, Tomorrowland. Anaheim, California.

Lighting & Audio Designer | The State of California | 1985
• The “California’s Night” Governor’s Ball. San Diego, California.

Consultant | XXIII Los Angeles Summer Olympics | 1985
• Original concept, design, and management work for the opening and closing ceremonies. Los Angeles, California.

Event & Stage Manager | National Football League | 1983
• Managed the Super Bowl halftime show, “KalidaSUPERscope”. Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California.

Production Stage Manager | The Glory of Christmas | 1981 – 1983
• Managed all aspects of the show for the design and technical staff including: casting, volunteers, costuming, props, scenery, flying angels, and camels! ‘Called’ the shows for the 3,000 seat cathedral. The show ran from 1981 to 2009 and grossed over $4.5 Million annually. Event Producer, Robert F. Jani. Crystal Cathedral / Christ Cathedral – Garden Grove, California.

Lighting & Special Effects Designer | Six Flags – Sea World | 1983
• Designed the lighting and atmospheric visual special effects for the penguins at the “Penguin Polar Exhibit.” San Diego, California

Lighting Designer | Disneyland | 1980
• Designed special Sky-Lighting Effects for the New Year’s Eve Party. Anaheim, California.

I.A.T.S.E. Lighting Technician | Disneyland | 1980
• Worked in the lighting department as an electrician and followspot operator. Anaheim, California.

Lighting Designer | XIII Winter Olympics | 1980
• Designed lighting for “Medal Awards Ceremonies,” “United States Hockey Team,” and “The Olympic Fantasy of the Lake.” Lake Placid, New York

Special Effect Lighting Design Consultant | Studio 54 | 1979
• Designed special lighting effects for the disco. New York, New York

Production Stage Manager & Lighting Designer | Cedar Fair – Knott’s Berry Farm | 1975 – 1976
• 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, Debbie Reynolds, Willie Nelson, etc… Buena Park, California

Lighting Designer | Japanese Village and Deer Park | 1974
• Guest Artists & Summer Spectacular Productions. Buena Park, California.

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Professor David C. Pecoraro, M.F.A.

KEYWORDS pertaining to my entertainment safety work:

Accident Prevention, Accident, Accidents, Aerial Work, Acrobat Accident, Acrobatics Accident, Acrobatic Fall, Amusement, Analysis, Arena, Assistant Stage Manager, ASM, A.S.M., Audio, Audio-Visual, Audience Injury, Attendee Injury, Automation, Automated, AV,Backstage, Ballet, Black Box Theater, Blocking, Busking, Cable Management, Cable Cover, Cable Ramp, Campus Safety, Carpenter, Casino Shows, Casino Productions, Choreography, Ceremony, College, Combat, Concert Injury, Concert Planning, Concert Safety, Consultant, Court Case, Safety Consultant, Counterweight Fly System, Costumes, Costume Shop, Costuming, Court, Cruise Ships, Dance, Danger, Dangerous, Design, Dinner Theater, Deposition, Drama, Dressing Room, Edge of Stage, EDM, Education, Effects, Eye Injury, EFX, Fall, Fall from Stage, Fall off Stage, Fall into Orchestra Pit, Fire, Fire Authority, Fire Department, Fire Prevention, Followspot, Forklift, Forklift Safety, Grip, High School, Higher Education, High School Safety, High School Performing Arts, Hotel, Hotel Ballroom, House, House Manager, IATSE, I.A.T.S.E., Injury, Intermediate School, Investigation, Junior High School, Jr. High School, Educational Theatre, Electrician, Employee Safety, Entertainment Safety, Entertainment Industry, Entertainment Industry Accidents, Events Management, Event Safety Alliance, Entertainment Witness, Entertainment Witness Report, Facility Management, Fall, Fall On Same Level, Fall From Elevation, Falling of a Stage, Stagecraft, Falls, Federal Court, Flying, FOH, F.O.H, Industrial, Injury, K-12, K Through Twelve, Labor Disputes, Ladder Safety, Leisure, Leisure Industry, Lighting, Lighting Design, Light Plot, L.D, Lighting Designer, Legitimate, Litigation, Makeup, Management, Meeting, Meeting Planner, Middle School, Music Industry, Night Club, OSHA, O.S.H.A., Orchestra Pit, Load In, Load Out, Patent Law, Personal Injury, Prop, Properties, Projections, Public Safety, Quick Change, Railing, Rehearse, Rehearsal, Research, Resort Shows, Resort Productions, Roadie, Rigging, Safety, Risk, Risk Assessment, Risk Management, Safety, Safety First, Safety Education, Sight Inspection, Secondary Education, Secondary, Scenery, Scene Shift, Scenic, School, Shop, Slip, Sound, Special Effects, EFX, Spotlight, Student, Student Safety, Special Events, Stage, Stage Cable, Stage Combat, Stage Entertainment Witness, Stage, Stage Fight, stage production crew Stagehand, Stage Lift, Stage Safety, Stage Safety 101, Stage Lighting, SM, ASM, S.M., A.S.M., Stage Cable, Stage Combat, Stage Manager, Stage Management, Standard of Care, Student, Teacher, Television Studio, Theater, , Theatre, Theatre Specialist, Theatre Arts, Theatricality, Theater Entertainment Witness, Theatrical and Entertainment Event Entertainment, Theatrical Entertainment Witness, Theatre Education, Toe Kick Board, Trip, Trap Door, Trip and Fall, Orchestra, Orchestra Pit, Opera, Pit Cover, Producing, Production, Production Manager, PM, P.M., Production Stage Manager, PSM, P.S.M., Production Assistant, Proscenium, Rigging, Technical Director, Technical Direction, Theme Parks, Toe Kick Board, Tour, Touring, Trial, Trips, Union, Entertainment Unions, Entertainment Union, University, Usher, Vendor, Venue, Visual, Wires, Worker Safety, Workplace Safety

Professor David C. Pecoraro – Theatre Safety
Theater Entertainment Witness