Stephen Elms

summary of experience

Stephen Elms, MFA

London Area, United Kingdom

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Summary

With three decades of experience spanning theater production, digital strategy, and academic research, I bring unique insight to organizations navigating complex change. My journey from Broadway stagehand to digital strategist, and now to doctoral researcher, reflects a career built on adaptability and continuous learning. My current research at University College London investigates how technological advancement impacts workforce development in offsite construction, examining crucial questions about skill adaptation and training in an era of rapid technological change.

Education

University College London

Doctor of Philosophy, Construction Trades, Vocational Education and Training

October 2020–August 2025 (Expected)

University of Michigan — School of Information

MicroMasters, User Experience (UX) Research and Design

20182019

Columbia University in the City of New York

MFA, Theatre Management & Producing

20052008

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

BFA, Lighting Design

19941998

Research Experience

University College London

Doctoral Researcher

September 2020Present

Teaching Experience

Postgraduate Teaching Assistant (PGTA)

November 2021September 2023

Professional Experience

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Elms Digital Ltd.  

Digital Creative Strategist and Designer  

May 2007–Present

Feast Creative  

Senior Digital Manager  

November 2017–May 2018

87AM  

Senior Account Director  

August 2015–August 2016

Blue Man Group  

Digital Marketing Coordinator  

October 2011–October 2012

Disney Theatrical Group  

Marketing Administrator  

November 2008–April 2009

Serino Coyne LLC  

Account Executive  

April 2008–November 2008

Walt Disney World  

Entertainment Technician at World of Disney NYC  

September 2004–August 2005

Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida (Disney Theatrical Group)  

Broadway Stagehand (Pink Contract) Assistant Properties Master  

October 2001–September 2004

Anúna Irish Choral Group  

Production Coordinator, Lighting Designer  

November 2002–December 2002

Noises Off  

Broadway Stagehand (Local One) Electrician  

December 2001–August 2002

Riverdance (Abhann Productions Limited)  

Broadway Stagehand (Pink Contract) Assistant Electrician, Moving Light & Fx Technician  

July 2000–September 2001

Dame Edna The Royal Tour  

Broadway Stagehand (Pink Contract) Head Electrician  

February 2000–July 2000

RENT  

Broadway Stagehand (Local One) Electrician, Follow Spot Operator  

December 1999–March 2000

Roundabout Theatre Company  

Stagehand Scenic Automation and Electrician, Follow Spot Operator  

January 1999–January 2000

NYU Child Study Center: An Evening in Honor of Mrs. Tipper Gore  

Production Coordinator, Master Electrician  

October 1999–November 1999

IATSE Local #635  

Stagehand  

November 1994–December 1998

Walt Disney World  

Show Production Intern  

March 1997–September 1997

Volunteering

Modular Building Institute (MBI) Research & Development Council

Committee Member, January 2025–Present

Columbia University Club London

President (December 2022–Present)

Vice President (October 2016–December 2022)

Columbia University in the City of New York

Committee Officer, Associations & Clubs Global Communications Subcommittee (September 2017–September 2020)

Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc.

Advisory Board; Marketing and Branding (January 2011–Present)

Licenses & Certifications

CybSafe certification in security awareness (CCSA), CybSafe (Issued July 2024)

Create with VR for Educators, Unity (Issued September 2022)

The Brain and Space, Duke University (Issued August 2022)

Credential ID: NSN3MXKJTKW3

Construction Management Foundations, LinkedIn (Issued August 2021)

UX509x: UX (User Experience) Capstone, University of Michigan (Issued September 2019)

Credential ID: 61925252bff64d4c8b69453c01924325

Honors and Awards

Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) Global Award of Excellence

Professional Affiliations

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees AFL-CIO, CLC (IATSE)

Local #635, Journeyman

Interaction Design Association (IxDA)

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Languages

English (Native)

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