Paul Masck

Paul provides team leadership, design consultancy and project management services with a specific emphasis on theatre design, functional planning, backstage spaces, and stage engineering systems.

At Charcoalblue, I provide team leadership and project management with a focus on delivering great design for projects at all scales. Working in the arts for more than 30 years, I bring a wide range of experience to our projects. With a particular interest in functional planning, support and backstage spaces, and stage engineering systems, I enjoy blending my engineering training with my passion for the performing arts – uniting elegant technical solutions with artistic visions. Prior to Charcoalblue, I spent fifteen years at The Metropolitan Opera, contributing to the planning, scheduling, budgeting, and technical delivery of more than 90 new productions, including many international co-productions. As Production Manager, I oversaw design timelines, coordinated with creative teams, and supported major capital projects. My earlier career includes production roles with several arts organizations, as well as engineering theatrical lighting systems for a wide range of venues.

What Excites You Most About Your Work

The most exciting thing about my work is collaborating with so many fantastic design team partners, both within Charcoalblue and on our larger teams. Creating great performing arts buildings requires expertise and experience from all corners, and I get to spend time with the best of the best, day after day.

What Brought You to Charcoalblue

What initially drew me to Charcoalblue was the people: from my first interactions with the team, I was struck by their focus, genuine enthusiasm, and remarkable depth of expertise. There was a sense of shared purpose and collaborative energy that was both inspiring and motivating. The passion everyone brought to their work made it clear that this was a community I wanted to be part of, and a place where I knew I could contribute while continuing to grow.

What Does Great Design or Experience Mean to You

A great design experience reveals itself through subtlety. It doesn’t demand attention or make you overtly aware of the choices behind it. When design works well, it feels intuitive and effortless, naturally guiding people through a space or task without interruption. Users, both audience members and technicians working backstage become so comfortable and engaged in what they’re doing that they hardly notice the design at all—even though every aspect was intentionally crafted to support that ease and clarity.

What We Won’t Learn from Your CV

I’m a long distance runner, every year I log around 1500 miles, every year for more than 10 years. While I’ve raced 5 marathons and countless shorter events, the real benefit for me is the clarity of mind that going out for a run brings. That, and the social aspect of meeting up with friends and putting one foot in front of the other!

Cultural Value You Most Identify With

Collaboration is at the core of how I work. Throughout my career I’ve thrived in environments where complex projects succeed only through strong partnerships. I’ve worked closely with directors, designers, technical teams, and craftspeople, translating artistic goals into technical solutions and ensuring everyone’s needs and perspectives are aligned.Whether coordinating design timelines, leading multidisciplinary teams, or serving as a liaison between creative partners and in house staff, I’ve always seen my role as helping people do their best work together. I value open communication, shared problem solving, and the kind of mutual respect that allows a project to move forward with clarity and trust. Collaboration isn’t just a working style for me—it’s the catalyst that makes great performing arts and great buildings possible.