Blog

FDA News

We are always working on new projects and trying to support the field in a variety of ways, and some of our completed work finds itself in the news. These are the latest stories.

Fisher Dachs Associates Celebrates Elevation of Peter Rosenbaum to ASTC Fellow and Induction of New Members Scott Madaski and Michael Wyant

NEW YORK — March 27, 2026 — Fisher Dachs Associates (FDA) is proud to announce that the American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) has recognized three of its key leaders for their outstanding contributions to the field of theatre consulting. During the ASTC Annual Business Meeting held at USITT in Long Beach, CA, Principal Peter Rosenbaum was elevated to the prestigious rank of Fellow (FASTC), while Scott Madaski and Michael Wyant were admitted as official members of the Society.

The rank of Fellowship is the highest honor awarded by the ASTC, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the profession and the Society. Peter Rosenbaum, a Principal at FDA with over 31 years of experience, served as ASTC President for six years and on its Board of Directors for nine. His leadership was instrumental in guiding the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and establishing the ASTC Outreach and Education Committee and the ASTC Mentorship Program.

With a background in architecture, scenic design, and aeronautical engineering, Rosenbaum has consulted on more than 250 performance venues globally. His portfolio includes landmark projects such as The Shed in New York’s Hudson Yards, the NYU Paulson Center, The Juilliard School (both in New York and Tianjin, China), and six other Lincoln Center venues.

Joining the ranks of official ASTC membership are FDA’s Scott Madaski and Michael Wyant, contributing to the largest class of new members in the Society’s history since its founding in 1983.

Scott Madaski, ASTC: Serving as FDA’s Stage Technology & Rigging Systems Design Lead, Madaski brings three decades of technical theatre experience to the Society. A specialist in high-stakes movement and automated performer flying systems, his notable work includes the technical infrastructure of the National Arts Centre (Southam Hall), David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, and the Royal Academy of Music Susie Sainsbury Theatre in London. He also introduced adaptive re-use of storage and cable management systems across the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.
Michael Wyant, ASTC: A Project Manager and Associate at FDA, Wyant’s career is rooted in production management and technical direction at leading regional theatres, including a 13-year tenure at the Long Wharf Theatre. His work is defined by a philosophy of “access,” ensuring that theatrical machinery serves both the art and the people maintaining it. His recent projects include the Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples, FL, and the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C..

“We are incredibly proud of Peter, Scott, and Mike for these well-deserved honors,” said the principals of Fisher Dachs Associates. “Their recognition by the ASTC underscores FDA’s commitment to technical excellence and leadership within the global performing arts community.”

About Fisher Dachs Associates (FDA)

Fisher Dachs Associates is a leading theatre planning and design firm based in New York City. For over 60 years, FDA has collaborated with world-class architects and cultural institutions to create innovative, highly functional spaces for the performing arts, ranging from intimate Broadway houses to massive international concert halls.

About the American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) Founded in 1983, the ASTC is a professional organization of theatre consultants who provide expertise in the design and planning of performance spaces. Fellowship and membership are granted based on rigorous standards of professional experience and service to the industry.

Media Contact:

Richard Hackman
Dir. Marketing & Communications
Fisher Dachs Associates
rhackman@fda-online.com

A Beacon of Remembrance in the New York City sky

This year, on September 11th, as we prepare to look up in New York City for the beams of light that represent the Twin Towers, we can’t help but reflect and draw on the parallels of our own recent loss of acclaimed lighting designer Paul Marantz. This will be the first Tribute in Light our FMS and FDA teams will experience without Paul. Today, on a deeply personal level, we share in the feeling of loss along with many others in New York today.

Remembering Paul Marantz

Photo Credit: Ron Colbroth

Although our hearts are heavy, we celebrate the life of Paul Marantz — a man whose light, both literal and metaphorical, brightened every corner it touched. From the moment he first flicked a switch in a marionette workshop at age ten, Paul’s boundless curiosity and playful spirit set him on a path to transform how we experience the world around us. By eleven, he had already fashioned a miniature theater with working lights and dimmers; in his teens, he brought modern dance recitals to life with his talent for illumination. At Oberlin College, and later through graduate work at Case Western Reserve University and Brooklyn College, he honed his craft, always driven by wonder and a desire to evoke emotion through light.

Meet FDA’s new Head of Stage Rigging and Automation, Scott Madaski

Josh, Joe, Bob, Peter, Cathy, and the entire team at FDA are delighted to announce the promotion of Scott Madaski (Associate) to the Head of FDA’s Stage Rigging and Automation Department.

Building the Future: Performance Spaces

We took great pleasure in coming together with the rest of the global performing arts community for the ISPA | International Society for the Performing Arts conference. It truly was an impactful and moving experience.
Joshua Dachs offer up some salient ideas about the future of performance and performing arts venues. He was joined on the panel by Liv Aira of Jillat Sami Dance Center, Sybil Wa of Diamond Schmitt, and Todd Hensley was the moderator.

Video Thumbnail - Revolution or Evolution featuring Joshua Dachs

Revolution or Evolution | Theater Design featuring Joshua Dachs

Theater Consultant Joshua Dachs of Fisher Dachs Associates traces the historical development of theatre and asks the question, are these developments revolutionary or evolutionary.

Pictured (Left to Right): Zachary Schmitt (FDA), Robert Campbell (FDA), Laura Wagner (FDA)

Performance and Presentation Spaces: Architecture & Design Mid-Year Review

We’ve had a busy year so far here at Fisher Dachs Associates, and while we’d like to tell you every single thing we’ve done (because it’s awesome), here are just a select few for your quick consumption.

The Women Who Build Our World – Celebrating Women’s History Month

When we celebrate Women’s History Month, we recognize the accomplishments and advancements of women in our society throughout centuries of injurious adversity in the face of structural and systemic setbacks, inequality, and injustice.

Illustration of Chita Rivera, Graciela Daniele, and Jules Fisher

“Looking back doesn’t have to be painful” — Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera was more than just a star on stage, she was a force of nature who brought joy, beauty, and power to every performance. She was a master of expression, a visionary of creativity, and a champion of diversity. Most importantly, she was a dear friend to both Jules Fisher and Graciela Daniele.

Building the Future, Rooted in the Past — Afrofuturism in the Built Environment

Picture a skyscraper, a marvel of modern engineering, soaring upwards. Its gleaming facade and intricate network of beams and trusses might lead you to believe it rose from the ground in an instant, a testament to human ingenuity. But the truth, like the building’s foundation, lies unseen. Beneath the surface lies a complex history, a network of interconnected layers – bedrock, concrete, steel – each crucial in supporting the structure’s present and determining its future potential.

12 3 4