Adam McCarthy

Bio:

I grew up in Michigan and found my passion for production in middle school, running soundboards for school plays and church services. My high school summers were spent working for a local AV company soaking up any experience I could find. That spark carried me to the University of Michigan, where I studied Theatre Design & Production, and to early work with the Santa Fe Opera, the Spoletto Festival, and Berkshire Theatre Festival. Those experiences fueled my love for blending technology and creativity. In 2012, I moved to Chicago and joined Kehoe Designs as their first lighting designer. Tom Kehoe wanted a lighting department to support the events of Kehoe Designs, so we started with just six lights in a small corner of the warehouse. We went all in, hiring a team, investing in gear, and expanding into audio and video. We quickly scaled to major productions, like a 14,000-person corporate block party at McCormick Place. By 2017, we were known for bold solutions like custom VR games and “disappearing” LED walls. That momentum led to the launch of BlackOak Technical Productions as a distinct brand within the Kehoe Designs Family of Brands in 2018. Solidifying our approach as Kind, Bold, and Relentless and allowing us to market our production services directly to clients.