Bio

Hi there! Welcome and thank you for taking time to look at my website!

Born and raised on central Long Island, New York, I've always found myself involved in the world of entertainment being so close to New York City and Broadway. After graduating with a BFA in Theater Design/Technology, with a major in Scenic Design, from the State University of New York at Purchase College, I wanted to explore the area of props and set decorating. I was accepted to have a Professional Internship with Walt Disney Imagineering in Orlando, FL 2013-2014 where I found my passion for the Theme Park Industry. Working in the WDI Prop Shop, I collaborated with the set decorator leads to create design intents for bids and fabrication, work with vendors for estimates and bid proposals, procurement of props, modification, and installation of props around the entire Walt Disney World property, including the Disney Cruise Line.

After my WDI internship, I joined ThemeWorks Incorporated in Northern Florida as a Project Manager where I managed the fabrication of extensive props, graphics and show sets for theme parks from tender award, through design, fabrication, and installation. I had the extraordinary experience working on the Shanghai Disneyland Resort where I managed the fabrication of over 150 graphics for the Fantasyland portion of the overseas park.

I decided to move to Orlando preeminently to become more “Hands-On” in the industry and became am freelance Scenic Artist with Walt Disney World Resort's Scenic Shop located in Central Shops. During this time I was part of the opening team of Pandora: World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I worked closely with WDI Art Directors, Scenic Shop’s Artist Preparators and Show Finishers to fabricate and theme paint show sets, props, graphics and other themed elements for WDPR. The Scenic Shop is also responsible for scenically treating the Walt Disney World ride vehicles on maintenance cycle, still ﬁberglass ﬁgures, and other projects as contracted. I transferred over to Magic Kingdom’s night shift Figure Finishing team where I completed Show Quality Standard work orders and routine maintenance of attraction Audio-Animatronic ﬁgure’s exterior aesthetics, show sets, and set decorations. Figure Finishing lead for Pirates of the Caribbean attraction overnight where I worked closely with POC technicians, AA hairdressers, and AA costume teams to maintain overall show and safely bring the ride back to “Show Ready” for daily park operation.

I had the out of this world experience to be an Associate Project Coordinator with Walt Disney Imagineering where I had the opportunity to be part of the award winning team that brought Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to both Disneyland in California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. Working under WDI Florida Show Management I was responsible for coordinating the production, installation, and overall logistics for all of the Florida produced Black Spire Outpost scope of Show Sets, Show Lighting, Audio/Video Hardware, Show Control Hardware, Show Programming, Furnishings, Interiors, Interactives, Merchandise, and DPLE Coordination. After the Galaxy’s Edge project concluded, I transferred over to support the WDI-Florida Project and Construction Management teams; in collaboration with Disney Parks Live Entertainment, to construct the seven massive, floating Show-Action barges for EPCOT’s new nighttime spectacular Harmonious. Responsible for material procurement, tracking, warehousing, and logistics for all construction and Entertainment show elements during production.

During Magic Kingdom and the Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, I found myself working as a Scenic Artist with Adirondack Studios. The scenic team helped Walt Disney Imagineering and Magic Kingdom’s Engineering Services teams brighten up the park’s scenic facades and attractions in preparation of the celebration. After the anniversary, I jumped aboard the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser to add some final touches prior to its madden voyage.

I am now currently an Associate Project Manager with AOA part of their Tech team here in Orlando. I am excited for the opportunity to help grow internal manufacturing within the company while Project Coordinating with clients for various projects.

I am also currently pursing a Masters Degree with University of Florida Graduate Student at UF CityLab Orlando, Masters in Science of Architectural Studies, Themed Environment Integration. I hope to use this degree to become an educator in the themed entertainment industry.

In my free time I volunteer with Encore! Cast Performing Arts as a Scenic Designer and Fabricator for our award winning regional productions at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

I am always looking to continue pursuing my passion for creating detailed stories through theming so please, feel free to contact me regarding any questions you may have about myself or my portfolio.

Email:

michael.evan.hirsch@gmail.com