Dave Gau Email & Phone Number

Richmond, Va, Us

Richmond, Virginia, United States

Established ShaveFX originally in 1999 as Dave Gau Animations, a freelance/home-based company of one. It has evolved over the years to a studio of multiple artists in the historic River District of Richmond, VA, and currently operating out of my northside Richmond home, building teams of creatives based on the customized needs of each project.Currently, I serve not only as the president of the company, but also in many roles as each project demands. These roles include:• animation director• business manager• 2D & 3D animator and motion graphics artist• creative consultant• producer• scriptwriter• storyboard artist• video editor• toy purchaser and trash taker-outer

As a CSz Worldwide certified Applied Improvisation facilitator, I consult with and customize trainings for business and groups. Going beyond simple team building, this process dives deep into the specific needs of each organization to determine steps that help with both individual and organizational growth. Areas of focus include communication, listening, leadership skills, change management, team work and support, creativity and innovation training, and more.I also work as the primary point of contact for Applied Improv and group entertainment inquiries, crafting proposals and following up with leads and clients to bring customized programs to businesses and groups, meeting a wide range of budget needs.Going beyond corporate environments, I have developed custom workshops and programs for churches, non-profits, schools and groups. I co-developed and led a series of workshops teaching improv skills to dementia caregivers, bringing a positive, supportive and open approach to working those living with dementia. I have been a speaker at events regarding this program, for such organizations as VPM’s Science Pub and the Alzheimer’s Association. I have also developed and continue lead a summer program in connection with the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI), working with sight challenged youth to build confidence and daily life skills.

8906 W. Broad Street, Richmond, Va 23294

Having performed with ComedySportz Richmond since it's origin in 1996, I worked as Assitant Director for much of that first decade, and became a managing partner and shareholder in 2011. I wore many hats to help ensure the success of the company. As Artistic Director, I was responsible for all theatrical performances on the stage of the theatre. This included auditioning, hiring and training all performers in the troupe's Major League, seen every single weekend as the theatre's main attraction. As a managing partner, I worked together with the CSzRVA managing team to maintain the daily operations of the theater and to hire and manage staff. I also developed special programs to bring the benefits of improv to the community, worked with outside groups and rentals, produced graphics and marketing, designed and maintained our website, and made sure that the space is a place of entertainment and learning for years to come!This position connected me as a shareholder with our international parent company CSz Worldwide. Through this role, I worked on a team to fully rebrand the organization in 2014, developing brand standards and guidelines for all of the 30 licensed locations, and continue to serve as chair of the CSz Worldwide brand committee today.

Richmond, Va

Since 1996, CSz Richmond (home of ComedySportz) has been bringing improv comedy and applied improv training to business, kids and anyone who could benefit from the power of laughter in the Greater Richmond area. In 2017, I was part of the team that restructured the company and founded the new nonprofit entity Yes Balloon.Having been with the company since its conception, I was hired in a new role as Executive Director in 2018. Responsible for outreach and overseeing operations, as well as tasked with the growth and expansion of the company to ensure we meet our mission of enriching lives and positively impacting our community by providing education, training, and entertainment based on the principles of improvisation. This includes after school programs for kids, targeted training for areas of special need such as dementia care or the blind and visually impaired community, custom adapted sensory friendly entertainment for those on the Autism spectrum and their families, and much more.

My variety of experience in innovative and creative roles came together seamlessly at the Frontier Project. I served as the embedded animation director, helping to bring client's projects and messages to life through video, motion graphics and animation. Beyond that, I also assisted with the facilitation of workshops on visual communication or working with clients learning improv skills in a business environment.

At Metro, I created the graphics department from scratch in 1990. In this role, I produced graphics and animations for all of Metro's productions, and grew the department from just me to a team of three animators under my supervision. Over time I researched, purchased, trained and operated all the technology needed for the department, starting with the Quantel Paintbox and including several SGI workstations running Alias PowerAnimator and Autodesk's Maya. Depending on the project, I served as producer, writer, crew member or artist on a creative team tasked with bringing an idea to life.

In my first job after graduating with a film, video and animation degree earlier that year, I worked as a camera operator, floor director and primary news graphic artist, developing an understanding and respect for live broadcast production schedules and deadlines. Staring out in the production department, I quickly joined the creative services team in working not only with live show design, but with marketing and advertising as well.

Bs, Film & Video / Animation

Education record