Our team of consultants and designers brings extensive experience in the entertainment industry to our theatre consulting projects.

Mr. Douglas Welch, our principal consultant, has more than 20 years experience as a theatre consultant and technical systems designer. Mr. Welch has a BFA in Theatre Design from the University of Alberta and an MFA in Theatre Design from University of British Columbia. He has also studied at the Studio and Forum of Stage Design in New York and taken Master Classes in Design at the Banff Centre. Mr. Welch is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

Mr. Robert Hamilton, theatre consultant and lighting designer, has worked with Douglas Welch Design since 1988. Previous experience includes work as a lighting designer for the Stratford Festival and the New York City Opera. Mr. Hamilton has an MFA in Theatre Design from the University of British Columbia and a Senior Diploma in Theatre Crafts and Design from the Banff Centre. He currently teaches a course entitled "Lighting Design for the Stage" at Douglas College in New Westminster. Mr. Hamilton is an active member of the Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology.

Mr. Paul Hodson works with Douglas Welch Design as a technical systems specialist and theatre consultant. Mr. Hodson's experience includes a number of years with Westsun Vancouver Inc.. where he moved from Rentals Manager responsible for the largest lighting rental shop in Western Canada; to Project Manager responsible for tender, supply, and installation of complete theatrical systems and special events; to Director of Operations responsible for managing the bidding and implementation projects. Prior to that, Mr. Hodson was the Managing Director of Theatre for Douglas College in New Westminster, BC. and was the Supervisor of Technical Services for the Entertainment Department of Expo 86. Mr. Hodson has worked as a Technical Director, Staging Coordinator, Theatre Technician, Lighting Designer, Sound Designer and Computer Systems Designer.

Mr. Fred Gilpin is an audio specialist providing design and consulting services in acoustics and electronic systems. Mr. Gilpin studied electronics at Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ottawa and room acoustics and loudspeaker design with British acoustician Lyle Jack. In 1978, he became Technical Director for Audience Audio Concert Sound & Lighting Inc. in Toronto. In 1983, Mr. Gilpin started the design and construction of Wexford Studio Inc., a 24 track recording studio where he also functioned as chief technician and, on occasion, as recording engineering. In 1986, he and a partner formed Phantom Power Broadcast and Recording Systems Inc. providing technical support and designed application specific electronic devices for the broadcast, recording, film and theatre industries. Projects included the complete redesign of the Toronto Transit Commission's "Subway In-Car Paging System". Experienced with DRA's MLSSA (Maximum Length Sequence System Analyzer), he is particularly adept at sound system alignment and equalization, and room acoustical analysis. Fred has served on the executive committee of both the Toronto and Vancouver sections of the Audio Engineering Society and is presently Vice-Chairman of the Vancouver section.

The Douglas Welch Design team includes other theatre consultants, facility planners, designers and engineers as required for specific projects. Our core team maintains an active participation in the actual production of live entertainment, providing us with the opportunity to directly evaluate the operation of theatre facilities and to test new products in real-life situations.