Lauren ‘Ren’ Effertz Email & Phone Number

Saint Paul, Mn, Us

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Remote

Produce webcast of conference sessions from meeting sources (Zoom meetings/Zoom webinars) and push to live online broadcast using Blackmagic ATEM video switcher and live streaming equipment Apply conference-specific graphics to all videos to ensure consistent visual branding of conferenceGenerate backup recordings of all sessions Manage media playback of presenters' slide decks and videos to webcast to guarantee smooth operation and minimize chances of faulty playbackProvide support to room producers through communication with project managers and basic troubleshooting assistance for presenters

Las Vegas, Nevada

Operate lead track on EOS-Ti lighting console or perform follow-spot/stagehand tracks as assigned for nightly performancesServe as cue caller for 8 follow-spots and communicate any notes to head of department to support consistent performance by operatorsTrain new employees on their follow-spot tracks and system checks Lead nightly lamp and systems checks when assigned to console operator trackLead team responsible for tracking lamp inventory and communicating with head of department to guarantee sufficient stock, as well as preparing gel cuts and other materials needed during maintenance dark periodsCommunicate with deck chief and stage management to ensure proper and safe lighting conditions during rehearsals and trainingsPerform nightly checks to verify proper function of show-related lighting equipment and assist in any on-the-spot maintenance such as lamp replacements or equipment substitutionsParticipate in training sessions, rehearsals, and practice rescues to provide safe, consistent, show-condition environment for acrobats and artistsAssist as assigned with maintenance projects, with a focus on intelligent lighting fixtures

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Performed customer service and sales functions, responding to leads via phone and e-mailUsed Checkfront reservation to system to create and manage bookings for guestsAssisted guests in making reservations and redeeming vouchers purchased through GrouponResolved customer concerns directly and with support of leadership

Miami, Florida

Operated lighting consoles (ETC Gio, Ion, ION xe20; Martin M1, MAXXYZ) for all performances and events in the main theatreDesigned and programmed lighting for weekly variety shows (e.g. - the Welcome Aboard show), special events (e.g - POA’s Holiday Spectacular), and all guest entertainers such as magicians (e.g - Charles Bach, Kyle Marlett, Joel Meyers, Jason Andrews, PJ Wen) and vocal groups (e.g. - Divas3, These Guys Worldwide, The Company Men, Flashback Four, The Abbey Road Beatles)Performed basic routine maintenance on lighting and atmospheric instruments to ensure optimal functionInstalled, wired, and maintained all set electrics during weekly scenic changesPerformed routine maintenance and focus checks to ensure on-going opening night quality for all showsResponsible for maintaining the designers’ vision for their shows in light of any changes due to re-blocking or instruments out for repairCalled follow-spot operator cues during performances and trained operatorsTrained other technicians for basic operation of consoles and for advancement to the lighting technician positionSpecial Projects Joy: Programmed lighting in the ship’s lounge venues for parties, daily events, comedy shows, musical performances, and games shows during the April 2019 Westernization dry dock renovationsTroubleshot any lighting-related issues around the shipProductions Sky: Showdown (mock singing competition); Rock You Tonight (rock musical revue)Productions POA: Lights! Camera! Music! (movie musical revue); VEGAS!: The Show (musical review); Malu Productions’ Aloha Polynesia (Polynesian dance)Productions Getaway: Neil Goldberg’s Cirque Dreams and Steam (circus); Burn the Floor: Passionata (ballroom dance); Million Dollar Quartet (musical)Productions Joy: Footloose (musical); Elements (dance, acrobatics, magic)

Honolulu, Hawaii

Managed a team of 8 technicians across the ship’s entertainment venues — included scheduling, safety oversight, monthly performance evaluations, training, and disciplineWorked alongside the hotel director, cruise director, and entertainment production manager to ensure that all entertainment technical needs were met and that all rehearsals and performances had adequate technical supportManaged the ship’s video arcade — coordinated maintenance of the games, restocked prizes, settled guest concerns, oversaw the installation of new arcade games, and generated weekly revenue, technical, and inventory reports for the shoreside casino managerFacilitated the technical needs of guest entertainers alongside the entertainment production managerWorked with the ship’s group services coordinator to provide A/V support to any groups renting the ship’s facilitiesInterfaced with shoreside business owners to keep them apprised of the state of the onboard technical entertainment operation Assisted technicians with troubleshooting and coordinating routine maintenance

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Independent contractor with Twin Cities-based production companies Heroic Productions, Visual Horizon Communications, One Step Productions, and AVEXAs L1 — work as the lead lighting technician to direct the load-in, installation, and load-out of lighting equipment; program all event lighting and operate the lighting console (Jands Stage CL, Leprecon consoles, Martin M1) during the event; coordinate with the production manager and client to ensure that the client’s vision for their event is achievedAs L2 — assist the lead lighting technician (L1) with the load-in, installation, and load-out of lighting equipmentAs warehouse technician — prepare all equipment on the pull sheet for shows and pack into cases for shipment; check returned equipment back into stock and ensure it is still in good working order; perform basic maintenance on equipment once returned from showsWorked on events of various sizes including national conferences for SleepNumber, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Takeda, UnitedHealthcare; the Starkey Foundation Gala After Party; BI Worldwide’s TripleCON Awards; Mauri’s School of Dance spring showcase; and the MAXIM Summer X Games party; Augsburg University Auggie AwardsServed as L1 on Aerie Pharmaceuticals national conference and sales meeting, March 2019

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Operated follow-spots during performancesCarried out pre-show protocols to prepare the venue for opening and post-show system shut-downs at closeWorked as a member of the lighting team during show turnovers — striking equipment, refocusing lighting instruments, installing new fixturesParticipated in routine lighting maintenance throughout the complex’s venuesAssisted the lighting designer and assistant lighting designer with troubleshootingProductions: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, May - Aug. 2014; Disney’s Mary Poppins, May - July 2015; Grease, Feb. 2017; Kicking It Irish, Mar. 2017; Mamma Mia, Jul 2019

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Supervised student lighting crew — directed student crew during focus and programming to achieve the designer’s visionTrained students in lighting design concepts, focusing, programming, and console operationProgrammed shows under the direction of the lighting designerOperated the lighting console during rehearsals and performancesAssisted the technical director with construction of sets and management of student crews during construction and strikeAssisted the technical director with venue, prop, costume, and scenic rentalsWork with venue renters to meet their technical needs, especially lighting design and console operationPerformed routine basic maintenance on lighting instrumentsTroubleshot lighting system issuesProductions: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Apr. - May 2013; Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr., Feb. 2014; The Wizard of Oz, Apr. - May 2014; Legally Blonde, Jr., Feb. 2015; Urinetown, Apr. - May 2015; Shrek, Jr., Feb. 2016; Dear Edwina, Jr., Feb. 2017; Wonderland: Alice’s Rock ’n Roll Adventure, Apr. - May 2017

M/S Pride Of America

Worked as a stagehand in the ship’s main theatre — ran a backstage track during performances, assisted with set changes, performed basic venue maintenanceOperated lighting console (ETC Ion) for all performances and events in the main lounge venueDesigned and programmed lighting for weekly parties, concerts, daily events, and game shows in the main lounge venuePerformed basic routine maintenance on lighting and atmospheric instruments to ensure optimal function in the main lounge venueAssisted in the set-up of live music performances, including wiring the instruments and microphones in the main lounge venueOperated the audio console (Yamaha TF5) for some performances in the main lounge venueSet up entertainment equipment for events (e.g. - musical performances, game shows, presentations) in venues around the shipTroubleshot technical issues in the ship’s entertainment venuesProductions: Lights! Camera! Music! (movie musical revue); Vegas! The Show (musical revue); Charles Bach Wonders (magic); guest performers and weekly variety and game shows

Osage, Iowa

Assisted with the set-up and programming of lighting systemsAssisted technical director with the construction and strike of sets Served as rigger for The Music ManHelped to train student crew in lighting, set construction, and basic rigging practicesProductions: Jesus Christ Superstar; James and the Giant Peach; The Music Man

Shakopee, Minnesota

Assisted in pre-season preparation of park sound systems, including ride announcement systems and park background musicWorked as the lighting technician for the park's Galaxy Theatre during group rentals, such as the River Valley Dance Academy summer recitalWorked to build and refurbish haunt attractions for the park's ValleyScare Halloween events, including lighting preparationAssisted with park system shut-downsWorked on-call to troubleshoot problems with park and ride announcement systems

Bloomington, Minnesota

Worked with the lighting designer during focus calls Worked as a follow-spot operator during performancesAssisted the deck team with stage preparation, including prop sets, intermission scenery change-over, and end-of-night procedures

M/S Freedom Of The Seas

Worked as a stagehand during daily tech runs, performances, and game showsAssisted with daily scenery and lighting turnarounds Operated follow-spots for guest performers and variety showsAssisted stage and production manager, rigger, and lighting technicians with maintenance across ship’s venuesOperated stage lifts and automated rigging systems as neededOperated Wholehog III lighting console for performances, game shows, and ship events; included calling spot cues for Freedom-Ice.comAssisted with load-in, set-up, and load-out of equipment for guest performers and groups renting ship’s venuesSet up bands, DJs, and production equipment around the ship’s venuesServed as interim Head Stage Staff; scheduled and managed a team of seven stage staff under the direction of the stage and production managers and the cruise directorProductions: Marquee (Broadway revue); Now You See It! (magic show); Once Upon a Time (pop/rock musical revue); Freedom-Ice.com (figure skating exhibition); Move It! Move It! DreamWorks Experience character parade; guest performers and weekly variety and game shows

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Head set carpenter for Titus Andronicus – constructed set under the direction of the technical director and managed student volunteers during construction, installation, and strikeProps coordinator for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf – assisted the technical director with construction of a functional umbrella prank gunLighting designer for The Bald Soprano and After MagritteLighting technician for Middletown – included set-up of the base lighting system in the theatre company’s new performance spaceProductions: Titus Andronicus, October 2014; Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, March 2015; The Bald Soprano and After Magritte, November 2015; Middletown, January 2016

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Worked with ticket sales, guest relations, and special groups check-in at varsity eventsFacilitated sponsors’ promotional events and activities and distributed promotional materials and prizes to guests during Bison football games at IGF FieldHelped coordinate half-time entertainment performances under the direction of the stadium’s production manager

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Worked directly with a team of 30 RAs and 3 residence life coordinators to build an inclusive community for the U of M’s 1300 resident studentsAssisted with resident management and risk mitigation through “on-call duty rounds”Conducted enrichment activities for residence communityServed as the international resident advisor from 2014-2015Led the GlobalRes student committee, a group that hosted monthly events catered to the specific needs and interests of international residence studentsChosen to represent U of M Student Residences as a speaker at the 2014 Ontario Association of College & University Housing Officers conference in Toronto, Ontario

Loretto, Minnesota

Co-managed a cabin of 8-12 campers, ages 7-14, each weekLed daily activities with groups of 5-20 campersDesigned and led the performing arts specialty camp, culminating in the performance of a one-act play by participating campersCollaborated with other counselors to plan weekly theme days that included special activities and games, skits performed by counselors, and a carnival

Bachelor’S Degree, English, Film, And Theatre

Activities and Societies: Residence Life Staff, Bison Sports Game Day Staff, Black Hole Theatre Company, Director of Communications.

High School

Activities and Societies: National Honor Society, National French Language Honor Society, Drama, Speech, Pop Choir, Bowling Team.