Lucid Motions
Theatrical Properties and Automated Solutions
the Creative Minds
William R. Berry
~ the Engineer ~
From the dusty roots and romance of a redwood forest to the bright lights of Broadway marquees, Bill has leveraged one opportunity after another to climb the ranks of elite craftsmen and engineers that make the magic happen. With roots in the humble craft of carpentry, Bill launched his theatrical career over fifteen years ago.
After four years as the Technical Director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Bill become an MFA student at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts' distinguished Stage Automation program. Studying there under Jack Miller, he specialized in programming and control systems, and pioneered the development of a distributed wireless automation solution documented in his encyclopedia sized Master's Thesis.
As he neared completion of graduate school, Bill was recruited by Hudson Scenic Studio to join its automation engineering team. The integration of his distributed control solution not only cut development time and production costs, but dramatically extended the automation system's functionality. His successes continued with the site installs of Dirty Dancing, Toronto & 1st National Tour, Disney's Lion King at Mandalay Bay, and even production support on Dreamgirls from Korea to the world famous Apollo Theater.
Taking the opportunity in 2009 to broaden his experience, Bill changed his role as an automation engineer and onsite technician to become Hudson's new Automation Control Systems Tech. The transition allowed Bill to leverage his entire skill set, from management to fabrication, ensuring Hudson's superior production values were delivered in their most complex product line.
Today, Bill is far from the bright lights of Broadway. Working side by side with his wife and partner in life of 14 years, he is excited to bring the Broadway backed successes of Lucid Motions to Los Angeles.
Rachel A. Berry
~ the Artisan ~
If you can't decorate, weld, build, spray paint, wallpaper, sew, tint, sand, sandblast, bake, etch, pour, cook, paint, shop, wire, machine, carve, grind, glue, AND upholster ... then perhaps you are in need of a Rachel. Over a decade in the making, Rachel's career, talents and trades are a harmony of Bob Vila meets Martha Stewart.
Though Rachel's early successes were mostly self attained, she completed college in three years while studying intently under SPAM member and Properties Master, Kelly Wiegant. In 2004 & 2005, she blossomed as Wiegant's replacement as Properties Master for Shakespeare Santa Cruz and continued on to lead the shops of California Musical Theater and Piedmont Opera.
Additionally in 2004, she entered the renowned Stage Properties MFA program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Under the wing of Bland Wade, the program's director, she honed her craftsmanship and was often found turning delicate wooden bowls or reupholstering antique victorian settees. Without breaking the mold, her Master's Thesis revealed the complex art and techniques behind crafting high grade breakaway glass and robust silicon molds.
After graduating, Rachel hit the bright lights of NYC and joined the production team at the world famous Blue Man Group in 2007. As the Properties Supervisor she lead a crew of twelve in an all out symphony of "Music and Marshmallows." Leveraging her traditional theatrical prowess and nimble management style, she drove down production overhead, lead R&D, and ensured production continuity between all BMG shows and BMP corporate productions. As if that were not enough, in 2009 she and her husband Bill began a small theatrical properties studio with clients ranging from small dinner theaters to major Broadway scene shops.
Having now relocated to Huntington Beach, Rachel is the Properties Master for the Tony Award winning South Coast Repertory. In concert with her husband Bill, she is thrilled to bring the impeccable production values and dedication of the Lucid Motions team to her new home.