History
Ampa was established in 1985 as an entertainment-booking agency. Serving clients’ needs, no matter how large or small, was and is a cornerstone of Ampa. As such, very quickly, Ampa added services such as meeting and event planning. In the late 80’s, responding to client requests‚ Ampa began producing events of all types including the design and construction of our first stage sets. Realizing the opportunity, in the 90's Ampa grew to meet the demand purchased massive amounts of lighting, rigging and a/v equipment and began to build our huge inventory of props, sets and scenery. Ampa’s warehouses are full of the tools needed for production services and our office is staffed with a knowledgeable team to execute clients’ orders. As a Richmond based company with offices in Washington DC and Norfolk, Ampa serves local, regional and national clients.
Ampa’s Profile & Professional Capabilities
There are many event companies, meeting planners, a/v companies and lighting companies. What makes Ampa stand out is our focus on creativity along with the unification of all major event services under one roof. Ampa is not only creative in an artistic sense, but we are also creative in our approach to serving clients. Ampa's creative event design result in a maximization of our clients’ budget, yielding the best bang for the buck. It is our extensive skill set as a company and our creative capabilities that gives us the ability to serve our clients in this manner. No matter what the budget, Ampa’s creative approach to getting the job done and exceeding the client's expectations puts Ampa at the forefront in design and production for events and stage elements.
Company Skill Set
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Mission Statement
To design and produce creative projects with theatrical service- lighting, sceneshop, stage production, and management services- applying our skills across numerous industries. To supply our clients with rental services: lighting, scenic, technical and general equipment.
Biographies of Ampa’s Production Team and Management
Theodore C. Rubis
President of Ampa Entertainment Inc.
Designer, Producer, A/V & Lighting Tech, Carpenter, Scenic Painter,
Technical Director, Financier.
As the president and guiding force of Ampa, Theodore Rubis (Ted) is an entrepreneur with an extraordinary and diversified educational and production background. Ted is a native of Richmond where he lives with his wife & their 4 children.
Classically trained in Chemistry with a minor in Psychology at VA Tech, Ted continued his education at VCU-MCV’s school of Pharmacy where he was awarded a BS in Pharmacy in 1988. Ted practiced pharmacy full time from 1985 through 1995 while developing Ampa Entertainment and pursuing additional education at VCU. From approximately 1989 through 1991, Ted completed the core course work in Finance, Economics and Accounting at VCU School of Business with a 4.0 GPA.
Creative and Organizational Skills. Ted’s creativity has expressed itself throughout his academic life in his extracurricular activities. At VA Tech, Ted held various positions. As elected student government senator, he interacted with the university’s administration and student government on a multitude of projects. A member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, he held the position of social-chair for 2 years, organizing social activities that involved the current student body, interacting with other organizations, campus wide activities and alumni activities. For two years, Ted participated in many capacities at WUVT 90.7FM campus radio and the Roanoke Valley’s third largest radio station. While at WUVT, Ted developed a dance party show with high listenership, performed responsibilities as a member of the programming committee and was the point person for the “onlocation” portion of the station’s major fund-raiser-- a radio-a-thon. And, finally, as an appointee to the Ring Dance Committee, a major student produced formal event, Ted received vital experience in producing a large scale special event with lighting and decor and thus a taste of his ultimate future direction.
In the late 80’s through the mid 90’s, Ted expressed his passion for creative special events at the VA Museum of Fine Arts. As a member of the Friends of Art, Ted worked on many formal Friends of Art Balls held as fundraisers for Museum special projects. It was through this experience and his history of creative productions that resulted in Ted formulating Ampa’s current business model, which includes event decorating, lighting, and production service.
Under Ted’s guidance, Ampa Events has evolved into a full service event production company. In the mid 90’s, Ted managed a massive expansion of Ampa. Fueled by client demand, Ampa began purchasing production equipment to serve its clients’ needs, including large amounts of lighting, rigging systems, audio visual gear and many other production toys. Currently, Ampa operates one of the only full service scene shops in Virginia. From events to winning bids for building stage sets and props, Ampa has developed an incredible reputation as a highly creative and reliable production company.
Ted’s biggest lesson over the past 10 years is knowing that in order to be successful, a production company must rely on people. As such, Ted has painstakingly sought-out and thoroughly evaluated additions to the Ampa production team. Ampa recruits individuals with unique skill sets needed to advance the company by serving our growing client base and their unique requests. Ampa’s greatness is the sum of its team’s extensive abilities.
Personal Skill Set. Valuable experience in numerous areas of event production has contributed to Ted’s skills and expertise as well as that of Ampa as a collective. Ted has over 20 years of production experience in the following areas:
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Creative Event Engineering. This is one very important skill that Ted has mastered over the years. For lack of a better term, it is getting the job done at the budget but more. With his extensive experience, Ted’s knowledge of materials and process is paramount in meeting and exceeding our clients' expectations while remaining within the designated budget.
A consummate professional, Ted’s goals are to further expand Ampa as the premier event production and design firm in the mid-Atlantic and pursue ever larger events, contracts and productions to express Ampa’s immense creative abilities.
New Offices. Recently, Ted has been managing the expansion of Ampa with new offices, representatives, and allies in DC and Norfolk.
Stephanie Rubis
Vice President, Corporate Attorney, Meeting Planner, Human Resources
Stephanie provides crucial services to Ampa in the review of contracts, employee relations, human resources
and, in general, management of Ampa Events.
Cyril Suaris
Art Director & Scenic Artist, Designer, Master Carpenter, A/V & Lighting Tech, Sculptor/Producer
Cyril is a naturally skilled artist and sculptor with a Master’s degree in Scenic Design and a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. He has a strong skill set of design and illustration in 2D and 3D. With over 10 years of experience in India as an artist, sculptor and designer, he has worked on projects for MTV Asia, United Television, CNN, Apple Computers, Modi Television and the Indian Film Industry. As a graduate in the scenic design program at Virginia Tech Theater Arts, he has designed and built several shows such as Streetcar Named Desire, Hamlet, Jacques Brel, etc. His extensive hands-on experience in graphic design, exhibitions, displays, and scenic design & execution both in the US and in his home country makes him a versatile individual for AMPA.
Recent Ampa projects include the design of Game Show Theme stage sets for FasMart Corp., vignettes for various nonprofit organizations, Arabian theme sets as well as many others. Cyril was the chief set dresser for the Disney Narnia Production at the Mac Arthur Center and the Masterpiece in the Making gala for the Children’s Hospital. He has been the project coordinator and producer for the Children’s Museum January gala fund-raiser and executed the design and installation of the “A Night in Tuscany” production, including lighting elements, for the Homestead Resort. Scenic painting is another strong point among many. As an artist, Cyril is exceptional and can crank things out of the shop quickly without compromising quality and detail. On site, Cyril is the “go-to” production coordinator for all soft goods and fabric treatments. His extensive skill set serves all of our clients.
Eric Hertsch
Metro DC Regional Sales Manager, Senior Designer/Producer
Eric Hertsch comes to Ampa with a background mixed with theatre, concerts, and events. Growing up in the northern Virginia area, Eric began his career managing the technical operations for performances in his high school theatre. After high school, Eric attended West Virginia University, where he studied lighting, scenic, and costume design for the theatre. These studies culminated in his earning a BFA in Theatrical Design and Technology.
During his time at WVU, Eric served in many production capacities for internal productions; including Properties Master for Richard III, Lighting Designer for the Orchesis Dance Ensemble, Production Electrician for Suburbia, and the Production Electrician for the Spring 2004 repertory theatre series. Additionally, Eric participated in scenic, costume, and lighting production for numerous other performances.In the summer of 2000, Eric worked with the Texas Shakespeare Festival as a lighting technician. During this time he learned techniques for lighting in a rotating repertory theater environment. Credits include follow spot operator for Fiddler on the Roof, lighting console programmer/operator for the world premiere of the musical Revoco, and lighting crew for All’s Well that End’s Well, Winter’s Tale, and Snow Queen.
As a stagehand working through IATSE Local 578, Eric participated in the installation of several large touring productions in WVU’s theatrical spaces and arena. Theatrical productions include Rent, Victor Victoria, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Spirit of the Dance, Disney on Ice, Blue’s Clues Live, and Grease. Musical performances include Train, Matchbox 20, Counting Crows, 50 Cent, Bob Dylan, John Mayer, Patti LaBelle, and Maroon 5.
Joining a prestigious event lighting company in the DC area, Eric applied his theatrical skills and experience to the special event industry through his design of hundreds of social, corporate, foundation, and political events. Eric designed events in several prominent locations in the DC area; including major hotels, Smithsonian Museums, the US Capitol, the Library of Congress, and the Folger Shakespeare Library. He also designed many events in private homes, corporate offices, outdoor locations, and party tents.
Coming to Ampa Events in August of 2009, Eric draws upon his experiences in all aspects of production. In his role, he sees your event through from the initial contact, event design, production logistics, and on site coordination. Whether you’re sending a message with a political event, raising funds with your foundation, creating an elegant wedding, celebrating a Mitzvah in style, holding a private personal celebration, or hosting an event of any kind; Eric has the knowledge and experience to create the perfect environment for you and your guests.
Although Eric’s primary responsibilities lie in sales, marketing, and event design; Eric’s skill set also includes basic carpentry, basic rigging, advanced lighting production techniques, lighting console programming and operation, hand drafting, CADD, and costume fabrication techniques.
When not working on producing events, Eric enjoys an active life through numerous activities. He plays the viola with a string quartet, in which he studies Baroque era chamber music. You can also spot him at the gym, or passing by hiking the trails in the Shenandoah Valley. Giving back to the community, Eric volunteers time to work with the Boy Scouts of America.
Wayne English
Master Carpenter/Rigger, Head Electrician
Wayne’s carpentry skills and ability to solve problems with installations are unsurpassed. With over 30 years
of experience, there is not much more that we can say about Wayne except that as a carpenter he is the best.
Noteworthy recent projects: Master Carpenter/Electrician for Disney Narnia installation; executed shop build
of true-to-life Arc de Triumph 3D prop designed by Ted.
Steven Rubis
Master Carpenter, Mechanic and Electronics
Steven’s brings to Ampa his valuable all round skills. He is the go-to person for all our mechanical and electronic needs. With over 20 years of experience he is again another veteran in the field. On site as an event producer his skills are invaluable for a quick solution to any technical glitches, if any.
Thomas Papenfuhs
Lighting & Audio visual technician
Thomas is a Virginia Commonwealth University Electrical Engineering major with over 5 years of hands on experience with Electrical Engineering work, focused primarily on current distribution/integrity, robotics, communications/networking, and structural rigging. Thomas also has been involved in theatre and event lighting and sound for the better part of the last decade. He started out as part of a local DJ crew back home, from which he branched out into independent DJing and light shows on his own. He also worked on several projects as a lighting and sound technician for local stage productions, as well as being an actor in several productions. He has been a full member of the International Thespian Society for the last 6 years. Thomas has become one of our best lighting and sound technicians, and his passion for the work and for new technology helps to keep Ampa on the cutting edge of lighting design. Due to his varied background in technical and production management, Thomas has become a valued asset to Ampa and a great benefit to Ampa’s clientele.
Marshall Chamberlain
Graphic Designer/ Event Producer
As Graphics designer, 3D CAD designer, 3D Rendering Designer, scene shop fabricator and associate producer Marshall is our front man for graphic design. He comes from an extensive background in computer graphics, carpentry and metal fabrication. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Computer Animation from James Madison University in May of 2009. Here at Ampa Events, Marshall is responsible for producing digital assets including 2d and 3d elements for concept design as well as full 3d previsualization renderings. His fabrication experience allows him to be involved in the event design process from conceptualization to final construction.
James Meekins III
Graphic Designer/ Associate Producer
James has a degree in Graphic Design from VCU. As a key player in our marketing and creative schemes he brings in a vast experience in the print and web industry. His support in presentations and designs and his natural skills as a photographer, writer and artist are invaluable to our needs and that of our clients.
Jay Ellis
Associate Producer/ Warehouse Organization
Jay has gained technical knowledge from his previous jobs, including but not limited to Warehouse maintenance and organization, shipping and loading, and managing time and efforts in an efficient manner. Additionally, Jay went to school at VCU and received a BA in English, for creative writing, editing, and research. Before college Jay worked back stage with many of Richmond’s top-notch theatres and theatre groups, acquiring skills in the fields of lighting, sound, set building, general stage hand, and props detail. In his spare time he creates original sounds and music as a home based producer. He has the equipment and ability to create songs and sound bites that would suit any type of mood or sound cue. He can operate sound boards and set up sound rigs with ease. He has a positive attitude and looks forward to working with new friends and clients.
Dan Krahn
Master Carpenter/Cabinet Maker
Skills for furniture quality and cabinet quality wood, working with fine wood finishes as well as installation skills. Dan has over 15 years experience.
Sean McLane
Audio Visual Technician and Scene Shop Assistant
Sean is a musician and accompanist who is technically savvy. By profession, his skills set vary from audio-visual technology, lighting, sound reinforcement to live show production technology. He brings to the team at Ampa his vast knowledge and passion for his trade. Besides being a dedicated sound technician for Ampa, he also brings to the team his skills as a carpenter, scenic painter and installer.
Jason Roop
MC, Entertainer, Script Writer
Jason has been a member of the Ampa Team since the early 90’s. Currently he holds the position as managing editor at Style Weekly and continues to provide entertainment, MC and writing services to Ampa.
Evelyn Windmueller
Bookkeeper
Evelyn is a seasoned book-keeper with over 20 years of experience in her field. Contracts, invoices, and all
paperwork are in order and readily referenced and managed thanks to her great work.
David Keegan
Event Assistant
Apart from being an event assistant, David helps fill in as support staff in the front office with managing administrative duties such as data entry, sorting, filing and inventory.
Corey Williams
Event Assistant
As an event assistant, Corey provides support on- site by way of assembly of sets, props and scenery and off site organizing, returning to stock and preparation and repairs of equipment and inventory.
AMPA DC Based Lighting Techs and Staff
Ampa has personnel on the ground in DC ready to serve. Eric manages our production teams and site inspections for the region.
| Bert Henry | Brian York |
| Dan York | Tranique Smith |
| Kirk Westwood | Steve Hughes |
Norfolk - Ken Carmichael
Regional Director
Audio Visual, lighting, sound tech. Skilled in all aspects of production services with over 12 years of experience.
Ampa’s Support Staff
Ampa administrative staff is here to serve. We also draw from a pool of production professionals and other part-timer staff including a wealth of talent in VCU’s Art Department. All are capable installers and many have additional skills such as scenic painting, audiovisuals, carpentry and technical theater to name a few.
Insurance
Ampa is insured for all services by Allied Insurance with a $2,000.000.00 liability policy.