About Us
About JOHN W. McKAY
John W. McKay has been actively involved with the professional performing arts in New Zealand for the past forty five years including the technical design, operation, production, management and administration of major arts productions, organisations, projects and venues.
Working for J.C. Williamson Theatres from 1964, he was responsible for many of the large scale touring productions staged by that organisation in Australia and New Zealand, at first as the Electrical Technician and later as the Production Manager. Touring with such productions as "Fiddler on the Roof", "Oliver", "Siberian Cossack Dancers", "Secretary Bird", "Man of La Mancha", "Hair", "Moscow Circus", "Disney on Parade", "Charlie Girl", "Novosirsk Ballet", "The Bolshoi Ballet Company", and the "Menuhin Festival Orchestra", he developed the electrical, sound and lighting systems necessary. Also during this period he designed and supervised the installation of new electrical, lighting and sound systems in the Company's New Zealand venues and up graded the mechanical and suspension systems.
In 1972, some months prior to the opening of the complex, John W. McKay joined the Christchurch Town Hall Complex as the Electrical Technician having been previously involved in the design of the lighting installation for the James Hay Theatre in the Complex. He was responsible for the commissioning of all the electrical systems in the building and in particular, the operation of the lighting, sound and mechanical systems in the theatre venues. These staged a full range of theatre activities including major dramatic, musical, operatic and ballet productions, large scale orchestral and concert performances, major television outside broadcasts, international conferences, civic meetings and functions. As well as maintaining and up grading the existing facilities, John W. McKay was responsible for the design of much new technical equipment including new lighting and sound systems for the Auditorium and he assisted with the design and implementation of energy control systems for lighting and mechanical services. He also provided lighting design, stage management, sound design and stage direction services to many of the complex's clients. During this period he was Stage Director for three Christchurch Arts Festivals, two Royal Variety Concerts and was responsible for the theatre operation of the venues for Weight Lifting and Wrestling at the 1974 Commonwealth Games.
In 1979, John McKay was invited to join the staff of the Mercury Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand's largest professional theatre company as Production Manager. Here he was responsible for all the technical and production functions of a very large theatre company with over seventy staff staging major dramatic, musical and opera productions and, during this time with the company, was responsible for over 100 major productions. He introduced methods of budget control and monitoring which are now in common use and established the first staff-training scheme for theatre technicians.
After four years as Production Manager, he was appointed Administrator for the Company with direct responsibility for all the production and administrative functions of the theatre including the preparation, presentation and implementation of an operating budget for the company, then in excess of two million dollars.
During this period, John W. McKay was also responsible for the Mercury / New Zealand Opera Company merger which established Mercury's involvement in Opera production.
During his seven years with the Mercury Theatre Company he re designed and up graded the lighting and sound systems in both theatres, up graded the suspension system in the main theatre, designed and installed new mechanical controls and systems including a full size stage revolve and introduced computer technology to the stage lighting control, the box office and financial management of the theatre. He also re designed and supervised the re building of the studio theatre venue. The success of this period in the Mercury Theatre's operation, both in financial and artistic terms has been recognised.
For the past seventeen years, John W. McKay has been working as a freelance theatre consultant involved in all aspects of the professional performing arts. As a director of Theatre Advisory Services (J.W. & B. A. McKay Limited) he has specialised in the design and commissioning of new and up graded performance venues, management of major touring productions, on site supervision of lighting, sound and mechanical installations, administrative assistance to production companies and all aspects of lighting design. Recently he has been assisting production companies and performance venues, both in New Zealand and overseas, to monitor and improve the occupational safety and health aspects of venue management.
Because of his direct involvement in the operational functions of performing arts organisations and venues, and a technical background, he has an ability to work with the building professionals involved. With current theatre projects in Indonesia, Malaysia, Macau, Singapore, Australia, USA, Kerikeri, Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Hastings, Upper Hutt, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, John W. McKay was also the theatre consultant for the heritage renovations of the Auckland Town Hall, Regent Theatre - Palmerston North and the Municipal Theatre – Napier.
Throughout his career, John W. McKay has had a special interest in stage lighting and over the years has carried out more than 450 professional lighting designs for theatre productions including drama, opera, ballet, concerts, orchestral, light entertainment, television specials, trade and fashion shows and major musicals. More recently he has become involved in the film, television and exhibition lighting area and was responsible for lighting design for the New Zealand Pavilion at Expo 88 in Brisbane. In 1990, he designed the lighting for the Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies and in 1992, completed the lighting design and commissioned the lighting systems for New Zealand's Pavilion at ‘Expo 92’ in Spain. He has also been responsible for the production management and lighting design of a number of large outdoor concerts for such artists as Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kanawa, Ray Charles and Dionne Warwick.
For seven years, John was the Production Manager (1992-95) and Director of Production (1996-98) for the Auckland Opera Company/Opera New Zealand, directly responsible for the staging of sixteen major opera productions. Involved with all the production aspects of these operas including contracting artists and crew, managing set, costume and prop construction contracts, importing production items, theatre hire, planning and scheduling, he had a particular involvement in budgeting and expenditure control.
Over the past five years he has been providing technical administrative advice to Opera Companies in the U.S., Canada and Australia.
John W. McKay has always had an interest and involvement in the training of technicians for the theatre and in the establishment of industry standards for technical operation and safety. In 1982 he was a founding member of the New Zealand Association of Theatre Technicians, was its National Secretary for five years and was its National Chairman for two years.
Currently he is a member of the New Zealand Drama School - Technical Production Course - Advisory Board, a member of USITT and a committee member of ETNZ.
Also of particular interest is the application of computer technology to all aspects of theatre design and production and, over the past ten years, John McKay has spent considerable time working on developing potential software for theatre use including project management, financial planning, CAD and specialist design programmes.
With a background in building services, technical theatre training, considerable recent experience in theatre and staff management, John W. McKay has also has substantial experience in the operation of major theatrical productions. Skilled at dealing with Directors, Designers, Production Staff and Performers, he has the ability to become part of a team, to communicate at all levels of an organisation and to use his background and experience to the benefit of the company.
Equally, he is able to bring his considerable production experience into his theatre consultancy work in the design of new and up graded performing arts venues and centres. Working with the architects, other specialist consultants and the building professionals, he will ensure that all the theatre aspects of the venue are adequately considered. He will provide the necessary preliminary systems designs to meet the client’s requirements and budgets, prepare all developed design drawings and specifications, complete all the necessary documentation for the tender process and provide the client with an assessment of all tenders.
During the construction and installation phase of the work he will liaise with the contractors and provide all necessary on site attendance or supervision, commission the systems and complete all acceptance tests and provide any necessary staff training.
About BERNADETTE A. McKAY (Bernie)
After being involved in the hair dressing and cosmetics industry, Bernadette was appointed as the Head of Wardrobe for J.C. Williamsons (NZ Ltd) in 1969 and over the next four years, managed wardrobe services for that Company’s major NZ tours including, “Man of La Mancha”, “Charlie Girl”, “Move over Mrs Markham”, “Ptitistanky Folk Ballet”, “Secretary Bird”, "Siberian Cossack Dancers", Russian Festival”, “Moscow Circus” and others.
In 1973, she joined the permanent staff of Television New Zealand as a make-up assistant, becoming Head of Make-up for Christchurch in 1976 and then appointed Make-up Supervisor for TVNZ in 1979. In that capacity she managed over 25 staff, the purchasing of all materials, the development of the application and artist support techniques and the provision of make-up and hairdressing services to all TVNZ productions including major film dramas such as “The Adventurer”, “Mortimer’s Patch”, “Hunters Gold”, “Vintage Murders” and “Gloss” as well as a wide range of light entertainment programmes such as “Billy T James”, “Opportunity Knocks” and “A Touch of Country”.
During her time with TVNZ Bernadette attended a number of training courses including the BBC Make-up Artist professional training programme, the BBC colour conversion programme, a specialised hair and wig training course, the Kryolan special effects course, a wig knotting course and First-Aid courses.
Bernadette left TVNZ in 1990 to join Theatre Advisory Services and continued her work with major television and film productions including “Issues”, “Shortland Street”, “Heroes” and “High Tide” as well as a wide variety of commercials.
In 1992 she was also appointed Head of Make-up and Wigs for the New Zealand Opera Company for eight years over which time she designed and supervised the make-up and wigs for 16 major Opera productions with casts of up to 120 performers.
Currently managing the make-up services for Sky Network Television and a number of other production companies Bernadette is further developing the materials and techniques required for current and expected technologies including wide screen and high definition TV. She continues to present professional development training seminars in TV, Film, Special Effects and Stage make-up to the entertainment industry and provides advice on staffing, design and technology for major productions.
With more than thirty years experience in the make-up and related fields for television, film and stage Bernadette has a particular skill in working under the pressure of major productions with the usual time and budget constraints and has worked with a large number of high-profile actors, singers, dancers, presenters and entertainers.