Backstage Pass: Interview #02
Introducing BACKSTAGE PASS, an inside look at the behind-the-scenes people and jobs that make the performing arts world work.
| Name: | Peter V. Svitavsky, P.E. |
| Job: | Senior Design Engineer, Wenger Corporation |
What was your journey to becoming a Senior Design Engineer at Wenger?
Peter:
It’s been a long string of remarkable people and opportunities for which I will always be grateful. After high school I worked in construction and as a stagehand in Rochester, NY. A mentor connected me with an opportunity at Adirondack Studios, a professional scenery shop; I moved away and spent about eight years learning from very talented people that build and install scenery on a commercial scale. I worked for some other specialty fabrication shops and for Local 524 as a stagehand and a rigger during that time as well. It was during my time with Adirondack that we started building gear for the first phases of the Universal Studios theme park in Florida. While at the parks I started to appreciate the complexity and the scale of those projects and the equipment they required. I decided I wanted to build machinery, and that I would retrain as an engineer. The leadership at ASI was very supportive, and at age twenty-six I started college part-time while working. Eventually I left work to attend full-time, and I earned my degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
After college I left entertainment for a while, working briefly on laser film printer technology at the research laboratories of Eastman Kodak. My path turned again in 1998 when Bob Theis and Mike Murphy reached out from Syracuse and invited me to join the team at J.R. Clancy. It was a great fit, and I have been here ever since.
Peter:
My roles vary, but they all include working with people and problem-solving. I have designed many of the basic types of rigging machines that we offer. I work closely with our teams that sell them, and the people who adapt the designs to new applications in different types of theaters. I work closely with the manufacturing teams as we procure components and build the products. Lately I have been lending some skills and experience to the team that supports our customers and the products after the sale. It’s a flexible balance between fire-fighting and driving innovation. I’m always looking for ways to improve, while also assisting with urgent matters.
Peter:
There have been a number of memorable projects I’m proud of, especially the custom jobs that differentiate us in the industry. For instance, the Sugarland project in Houston, where the auditorium walls move back and forth, was fascinating. We did a number of challenging projects for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas that were very custom and complex. I really enjoy the entire process: creative design and problemsolving, execution, building relationships with customers and delivering extraordinary results.
What sets Wenger apart in tackling such challenging
custom projects?
Peter:
We create one-of-a-kind solutions tailored to the unique needs of each facility. We follow exacting specifications with our exceptional, unwavering commitment to excellence. Challenges inevitably arise, but we strive to ensure the end result still meets our standards and satisfies our customers.
Peter:
Understanding of the product, dedication and situational awareness are all required. I have to know how the equipment designed, how it is built and installed and how it is used. We have to consider the technical aspects and the commercial aspects of the work in order to have successful project outcomes. Problem-solving requires travel and work that often extends beyond regular hours. Also, building and maintaining relationships is paramount, whether with customers, vendors or consultants. I am fortunate to work with many talented people and I try to stay in touch with them. Our network helps gather information quickly and efficiently to make decisions and mobilize resources. Effective communication, both internally and externally, is key to facilitating conversations and solving complex challenges.
