Building Worlds on Stage: An Interview with Brian Altiere of CCT Scenic

By Brooke Stiles, marketing and engagement coordinator for Columbus Children’s Theatre

At Columbus Children’s Theatre, Production Manager Brian Altiere and CCT Scenic are crucial in bringing set designers’ visions to life. With decades of experience spanning theater production, woodworking and scenic construction, Brian’s expertise ensures that every production is built to inspire and amaze. We sat down with Brian to discuss his journey, his artistic process and the magic of scenic construction.

Brooke: Can you share a bit about your background and how you got into scenic construction?
Brian: I graduated from Wright State University with a BFA in theater design and technology, focusing on technical direction. After that, I spent six years in Southern California, working at Scenery West and South Coast Repertory, where I was a master carpenter and shop foreman for two years. My career has taken me through multiple industries, including nearly a decade at Wood Werks Supply as a product specialist and another seven years handling online sales, marketing and daily operations. I also spent time as a shop manager at Scenic Solutions in Dayton, Ohio, before exploring the central Ohio entertainment market as a freelance scenic carpenter and project manager. Scenic construction has always been my passion, and I’m grateful to bring my experience to Columbus Children’s Theatre.

Brooke: What is your role in bringing a Columbus Children’s Theatre production to life?
Brian: Our job in the shop is to take the set designer’s vision and turn it into a fully realized, functional stage set. I work closely with the designers, technical directors and production team to determine materials, build structures and ensure everything is safe and durable. It’s a mix of engineering, problem-solving and craftsmanship.

Brooke: What has been one of your favorite sets to build for CCT?
Brian: One of my favorites has to be The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The camaraderie in the shop while working on that show was incredible. It was a tough build with a lot of challenges, but we overcame them together and had a great time doing it. The first time I heard Hunter Minor, who played Quasimodo, sing “Out There,” I knew we had something special on our hands and was all the more eager to see the pieces come together.

Brooke: How do you balance creativity with the technical limitations of theater production?
Brian: Scenic construction is all about problem-solving. We have to consider budget, space constraints and safety while still pushing creative boundaries. I love finding innovative solutions, whether it’s repurposing materials or using different construction techniques to achieve the designer’s vision.

Brooke: What do you love most about working in theater production?
Brian: In my scenic background, I only got to focus on one small part of the production. But what I love about theater is seeing all the parts of the production come together. That can’t happen until it’s on stage, the audience is in their seats, musicians are in the pit and the lights come up on the curtain. That’s when the art of theater truly happens. I only play one small part in that performance. As a production manager, it’s exciting because I get a sneak peek of all the disciplines before they come together. I get the early awareness of what the production is going to be, and that’s very exciting.

Brooke: What advice would you give to aspiring scenic carpenters and stagecraft professionals?
Brian: If you feel like you enjoy working with your hands, then just keep doing it and explore different ways until you find something that’s satisfying. Whether that’s woodworking, stitching, painting or something else—if you like to keep busy with your hands, just keep exploring it. I would also suggest to young carpenters: stay familiar with your geometry. It’s an essential skill that will serve you well in this field.

Join Columbus Children’s Theatre to experience the magic of storytelling through scenic construction. Learn more about upcoming productions and how to attend at columbuschildrenstheatre.org.

This article is part of a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council as part of the Art Makes Columbus campaign. Explore a calendar of events, public art database and artist stories at columbusmakesart.com. To learn more about GCAC grants visit gcac.org.