Gareth Conner
Founder & President / CC’s Original Automation Junkie
Gareth has been in the business of making scenery move for more than 15 years, but theatrical automation hasn’t always been his passion. At age 3, after loving encouragement from his parents to be anything he wanted, 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. Luckily, Gareth eventually got his hands on real tools, dove into theatre and became hooked on automation.
Years later, Gareth had acquired experience automating scenery using a range of mechanical and electronic techniques (some of which are better left forgotten) for clients from regional theatres to automation giants including Disney and Universal. After working with budgets ranging from dozens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, he was convinced he could create a system of automation components that would reduce the cost and complexity of scenic automation. That conviction inspired Creative Conners, Inc., and it’s been the most fun job yet. Even better than being a whale.
Emily Conner
Co-Owner & Vice President / Corporate Treasurer / Wrangler of the little Creative Conners / Depletor of excess funds
Emily earned a degree in Drama from University of Dallas in 1993, followed by seven years sewing in regional theatre costume shops. One of these was the Alley Theatre, where she met Gareth. Eight years after their fateful first date she found herself standing in their kitchen fearlessly proclaiming, “Sure, let’s borrow against the house to finance an automation business.” Some decisions really are that easy.
As co-owner of Creative Conners, Emily spends most of her time managing the little creative Conners, Isabella and Violet, but still finds time to tidy up insurance paperwork, do a little bookkeeping and brainstorm about the next big moves for Creative Conners.
Ian Donahue
Sales and Marketing Manager / Cool Kid Extraordinaire
After dominating the Pittsfield, Massachusetts high school trombone scene, Ian naturally segued into lighting design at SUNY Purchase. While there, he discovered that scenery was cooler than lighting and automated scenery was the coolest. Upon graduating, Ian worked at Showtech, Inc. building winches and custom machines for Broadway, Las Vegas and abroad. He went on to work the regional theatre circuit and met Gareth while working as Project Manager at Mystic Scenic Studios. Ian now spends his time helping Gareth turn Rhode Island into the scenic automation capital of the free world. At least for the cool kids.
Royal Marty
Product Engineer
While growing up Royal had dreams and aspirations of playing baseball for his hometown Major league baseball team. Being from Las Vegas, the dream never worked out for him. Royal was left with no option but to enter the theater industry. Royal attended Webster University and received a BFA in Technical Direction and a minor in Mathematics. Throughout Royal’s glorious theater career he has worked for companies such as JR Clancy, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and ITC Scenic Services. Currently Royal lives in the RI (the biggest little state in the Union) and spends his free time training for triathalons.