About Russ Blain - Owner

As the project Theatre & Auditorium Consultant, Russ will collaborate with Owners, Architects, Operators, Construction Managers, and School Faculty to implement designs resulting in project success. He will ensure that design and specification packages respect the established budget, scope, and time constraints, while appropriately addressing the client's needs.  He will serve an integral part in establishing clear communication channels with potential contractors, and within the project team, to promply answer questions, resolve issues, and address changes when necessary. 

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Design

The Ohio State University

2006

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

The Ohio State University

2003

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

DESIGNER, SPECIFIER, PROJECT MANAGER

Owner

R. Blain Consulting LLC Saint Clair Shores, MI

May 2024 – Present

Account Executive

Fantasee Integration Detroit, MI

August 2022 – May 2024

Account Executive

Vincent Lighting Systems Detroit, MI

March 2019 – August 2022

Professor & Lecturer – Lighting & Sound Design and Technology

Wayne State University – Detroit, MI

August 2016 –May 2019

Miami University – Oxford, Ohio

August 2009 – August 2016

Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ

August 2006 - August 2008

• Theatrical Lighting, Sound, Rigging, & Projection Systems Design & Specification

• Production Lighting & Sound Design

• Theatrical Lighting, Sound, Rigging, & Projection Systems Sales

• Theatrical Lighting, Sound, Rigging, & Projection Systems evaluation and trouble shooting.

• Project Management

• Owner's Representation

• Proficient in VectorWorks

• Proficient in BlueBeam

• Proficient in MS Office 360

• Proficient in ETC & Avolite Console Programming

• Proficient in Digital & Analogue Sound Operation

Project Title: Vista Theatre Renovations 

Customer: The City of Negaunee, MI

Project Status: Ongoing.

Project Scope: New Lighting Infrastructure system and Fixtures, New Sound System, New Automated & Static Rigging Systems, New Draperies, & New Projection System.

Specifier / Systems Designer: Russell Blain

Consultant: R. Blain Consulting LLC

Project Title: The Leelanau School -  Auditorium Upgrades

Customer: The Leelanau School

Project Status: Ongoing.

Project Scope: Lighting Infrastructure and Fixture Upgrades, Rigging upgrades, Full Draperies Replacement, Digital Audio Console & Stage Box, Total Speaker Replacement 5.1 Audio, Projection System.

Specifier / System Designer: Russell Blain

Consultant: R. Blain Consulting LLC

Project Title: The Pix Theatre Audio System Upgrades

Customer: The Greater Lapeer Center for the Arts

Project Status: Nearing Completion.

Project Scope: Digital Audio Console & Stage Box, Total Speaker Replacement 5.1 Audio w/ frnt warmers & Green Room Monitor.

Specifier / System Designer: Russell Blain

Consultant: R. Blain Consulting LLC

Project Title: Riverside Middle School - Auditorium Lighting Upgrades

Customer: The Crestwood School District

Project Status: Ongoing.  Bidding in February 2026

Project Scope: Lighting Infrastructure modifications and Fixture Upgrades, Rigging Upgrades (New FOH Pipe Installation), 

Specifier / System Designer: Russell Blain

Consultant: R. Blain Consulting LLC

Project Title: Adeli Stevenson High School - Auditorium Rigging & Lighting Data Upgrades

Customer: The Utica School District

Project Status: Ongoing.  Contracts Awarded.  Pre-Installation meetings  Work to begin this summer.

Project Scope: Complete Rigging Renovation.  New Rigging to include 3 ETC Automated Prodigy Systems.  Pantograph Circuit Distribution., and new DMX data distribution system.

Specifier / System Designer: Russell Blain

Consultant: R. Blain Consulting LLC

Project Title: Crestwood High School - Auditorium Building Expansion and Art's Spaces Renovations.

Customer: The Crestwood School District

Project Status: Schematic Design Phase

Project Scope: Collaborating w/ French Associates Architects to design a build extension off an existing auditorium, to accommodated shops, dressing areas, and theatre support areas.  Project also includes converting a former choir room into a Black Box Theatre.

Specifier / System Designer: Russell Blain

Consultant: R. Blain Consulting LLC

Project Title: Harbor Springs Performing Arts Center Lighting and Rigging Upgrades

Customer: Harbor Springs Public Schools

Project Status: Ongoing.  Project Scope: Lighting Infrastructure and Fixture Upgrades, Rigging upgrades and Pipe addition, Full Draperies Replacement, Digital Audio Console & Stage Box

Specifier / System Designer: Russell Blain

Consultant: R. Blain Consulting LLC

Project Title: Saginaw Valley State University Lighting & Rigging Upgrades

Customer: Saginaw Valley State University

Project Status: Completed.  

Project Scope: Theatrical Lighting Infrastructure and Fixtures, & Architectural Control for three adjacent venues, Automated Rigging in Main Theatre, System Integration, Architectural Fixture LED Upgrades

Specifier / System Designer: Russell Blain

Project Title: Benzie Central High School Auditorium Lighting Upgrades

Customer: Benzie Central Schools

Project Status: Project Completed

Project Scope: Theatrical and Architectural Lighting Infrastructure and Fixtures.

Project Budget: $300,000.00

Specifier: Russell Blain

Contracted Consultant: Fantasee Integrations

Consultant for Revisions: R. Blain Consulting LLC

Completion Date: August 2024

Project Title: Sault Area High School and Career Center Auditorium Lighting Upgrades

Customer: Sault Area Public Schools

Project Status: Project Completed

Project Scope: Theatrical and Architectural Lighting Infrastructure and Fixtures.

Project Budget: $35,000.00

Specifier: Russell Blain

Contracted Consultant: R. Blain Consulting LLC

Completion Date: August 2024

Project Title: Petersen Auditorium Lighting & Rigging Upgrades

Customer: Ludington Public Schools

Project Status: Project Completed

Project Scope: Theatrical Lighting Infrastructure and Fixtures. Dead Hung Rigging System

Project Budget: $300,000.00

Specifier: Russell Blain

Contracted Consultant: Fantasee Integrations

Completion Date: August 2024

Project Title: Commongrounds Cooperative

Traverse City Michigan

Customer: Commongrounds Cooperative

Project Status: Project Completed

Project Scope: Theatrical & Architectural Lighting Infrastructure and Fixtures, Dead Hung Rigging

Project Budget: $150,000.00

Systems Designer: Russell Blain

Installing Contractor: Vincent Lighting Systems

Completion Date: July 2022

Project Title: Erikson Center for the Arts – Pine Center

Curtis, Michigan

Customer: Erikson Center for the Arts

Project Status: Project Completed

Project Scope: Theatrical & Architectural Lighting Infrastructure and Fixtures, Audio / Visual/ Rigging & Draperies.

Project Budget: $200,000.00

Systems Designer: Russell Blain

Installing Contractor: Vincent Lighting Systems

Completion Date: May 2021