Gary Heitz
Senior Project Manager

gheitz@chicagoscenic.com

As unit manager, Gary is responsible for the planning, preparation, scheduling, personnel supervision and profitability for all projects assigned to his team. Working with the other members of the unit, Gary coordinates the functions of all shop departments (scenery, paint, design, drafting, etc.) to ensure the timely and on budget completion of projects. He is also  involved in client meetings, site inspections, budget preparations and on-site crew supervision.

Gary started at Chicago Scenic as a part time carpenter in 1978, filling in between jobs as a lighting designer.  He was resident lighting designer at Travel Light Theatre, and also designed the lights for over 75 productions in the Chicago area, earning five Joseph Jefferson nominations along the way.  In 1981, Gary moved to New York and then on to Las Vegas, where he became the Supervising Convention Technician for the Golden Nugget Casino. He has worked as a carpenter at several scene shops across the country, including Sander Gossard in New York and Houston Stage in Houston, Texas.

In 1989, Gary returned to Chicago Scenic where he has served as a Project Manager and Unit Manager, as well as being the Technical Director for the World Cup USA ’94 Opening Ceremonies. In that capacity he supervised the stage fabrication and decorations and the coordination and supervision of the ceremonies by the union crews.

Gary’s exhibit and interior projects have enabled him to work within a variety of industries. Exhibits for ConAgra Foods, HBO Video, Hyundai, Learning Curve International, MET Merchandising, Nexxus Products, Samsonite, and Scott Foresman have given Gary the opportunity to work with in-lines, islands, double deckers, and even an exhibit that was seen in airport lobbies across the country. Working with the Architecture Department at the Art Institute of Chicago, Gary has provided interior theming for an assortment of exhibits in their Horseshoe Gallery.  He has also done interior theming for Caterpillar, the Chicago Historical Society , Kohl’s Children’s Museum, the Mall of Georgia, Marshall Fields, and United Airlines.  He has also worked on a haunted house in the parking garage of the Museum of Science and Industry, which was produced in conjunction with Universal Studios. 

Gary’s television projects include three sets for Harpo Studios / The Oprah Winfrey Show; Channel Earth; Fox NFL Preview Show; Fox Sports Game Room; WMAQ TV Chicago’s news set; and a re-make of the existing WBBM Channel 2 news room and weather center.  He also played a key role in the development of the Real World apartment when the show taped in Chicago. Gary led the CSSI team as they built a new set for the Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition to his ongoing duties at CSSI, he was retained by Harpo Studios to supervise and manage every department involved in this extensive project, which included a set renovation and the complete build-out of a new studio – a $12 million project.