show development
- Co-created “Carnival Productions” the in house production company which has resulted in numerous industry awards and accolades.
- Design and production of over 50 Las Vegas style spectaculars which raised the bar for onboard cruise ship entertainment.
- Assembled teams of technical professionals (scene design, special effects and pyrotechnics, video content and audio design) for the construction and load-in on each vessel.
- A primary member of the show concept and writing team in creating over 50 Las Vegas-style spectaculars.
- Collaborate with other designers to create a constantly new and evolving live onstage product
- Following the direction for the ‘re-branding’ of the Carnival product, was the technical leader for creating the new show-style that was centered around digital scenery and cast members, reducing the number of required performers.
An innovative theatre professional with over thirty years’ experience in the creation and development of Theatrical Spectaculars, Lighting Design and Entertainment Venues.
Preston Bircher’s career sprang from his theatrical roots where, at the age of ten, he became part of the production team that helped his mother create award winning shows in an educational environment.
Preston studied Theatrical and Interior Design at the University of North Texas. His career began at Six Flags over Texas where he held several positions, including Lighting Designer, Master Electrician and Stage Manager. Following his work with Six Flags over Texas, Preston worked with the Dallas Repertory Theatre and National “Bus & Truck Tours” as a Lighting Designer and Master Electrician.
In 1989, Preston accepted a position with Carnival Cruise Lines onboard the “Jubilee” as the Theatrical Technician. In 1991, Preston was promoted to manage all technical aspects of Carnival’s Entertainment Department for the entire fleet consisting of 8 ships. As Carnival expanded to 23 vessels, Preston was promoted to oversee the design of all public entertainment venues for new ship builds.
show automation
- State of the art high definition LED video walls and motion automation.
- Conceptualized and managed the development of live show automation that reduced technical headcount and increased cost savings.
- Integration of multiple technical facets and responsibilities to a single operator.
architectural lighting design
- Has designed lighting and control for public venues and spaces from high-rise towers to clubs and lobbies.
- High-end home lighting with user-friendly control and in-home automation for ease of use allowing the home-owner to create the same beautiful scheme as when the system was installed and programmed; thus maintaining the value of the investment.
- State of the art high definition LED video walls and motion automation.
- Conceptualized and managed the development of live show automation that reduced technical headcount and increased cost savings.
- Integration of multiple technical facets and responsibilities to a single operator.
entertainment venue design
- Was instrumental in the entertainment venue designs for 22 Carnival Cruise Lines new buildings, as well as renovations and retrofitting of vessels of older vessels.
- Partnered with interior architects, naval architects, specialists and shipyards in creating the varying venues for guest and audience flow to maximize guest enjoyment and satisfaction.
- Led the team as owner to the shipyards in how all the back-of-house spaces and operations flow and function.
- Coordinated and worked with independent consultants on technical specifications and expanded designs of the Local Entertainment Systems thru out each venue as well as venue interconnectivity.
- Was called-in by the CEO of Carnival Corporation to consult with the Cunard brand on the iconic Queen Mary 2 regarding the problem-plagued Royal Court Theatre.
- Working with the award-winning Island City Stage--designed and built an intimate 68-seat "Funky" warehouse theatre space
press
- Often interviewed and quoted in Live Design Magazine as an industry leader.
- Lighting & Sound America article as the signature back-page, “People Worth Knowing”. (Dec 2004)
- The New York Times noted, “…one of the great things about a Carnival Cruise Line show is that if you don’t like the song, wait, you will like the next one. Meanwhile, just sit back and watch the beautiful lighting!”
theatrical lighting design
- The ‘in-house’ lighting designer for Carnival Cruise Lines and Carnival Productions advancing the intelligent lighting and automation in the cruise industry. This started the other cruise lines to up their systems to match and compete with.
- Created and maintained equipment uniformity across the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet of showrooms and clubs to reduce the quantity of spare parts required, staffing knowledge base and cost containment while keeping the audience-visual large and impressive.
- Partnered with lighting manufacturers to design and build new and innovative lighting equipment, easier to field-repair. Most all of these pieces of equipment went on to be successful industry leaders in sales and rentals.
- Was sought out by many stage lighting and effects manufacturers to obtain his opinion and technical knowledge on design and stability of their new equipment.
- Designed over 100 musical comedies and plays
