Nick has dedicated his career to inspiring and guiding students as a scenic constructor and mentor for Orange County school districts. Over the years, he’s helped countless middle and high school students discover their passion for building, design, and teamwork through hands-on scenic construction projects. Now, Nick is taking the next step—he’s raising funds to open his own shop, a space that will house a Non-profit paid training program for his students after they graduate from high school and as they pursue higher education or trade certifications.

A message from Nick:

For a few years now, I’ve had the privilege of building theatre sets for local schools and working alongside incredibly talented students. With every production, I see the same thing — hardworking, creative students who love building, designing, and bringing stories to life. Sadly, after graduation, most of them don’t have a place to go. They lose access to tools, workspace, mentorship, and the collaborative environment that helped them grow. Let’s all work together to change that.

We are launching the Technical Artists Collective — a non-profit shared scenic construction shop and creative workspace designed to support students, graduates, and local artists as they continue developing their skills beyond high school. This space will: provide access to tools, workspace, and real-world projects; offer mentorship in scenic construction and fabrication; teach business skills like pricing, invoicing, bidding, and client management; help young creatives grow into independent contractors and professionals; and create a collaborative community where artists support each other.

The Collective will also operate a separate scenic rental program for local schools and theatres, with the goal of reducing production costs while reinvesting in the next generation of builders. Nick’s vision is simple: to create a bridge between school and the real world. He wants to offer a place where students don’t have to stop learning just because they graduated—whether they’re working part-time, full-time, or as a side gig, they’ll have a supportive environment to keep growing their skills.

Funds raised will help cover:

Every contribution helps create real opportunities for young artists to continue pursuing what they love—and to turn those skills into sustainable careers. If you’ve ever seen the impact theatre has on students, you know how powerful this kind of space can be. Thank you for helping us build something that lasts beyond the final curtain. If you’re a teacher, parent, or former student who believes in the value of arts education, your support can help give these students a place to keep creating, learning, and growing.