Patrick Dierson always had a backstage view of what it took to produce a successful theatrical spectacle. Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Patrick grew up within a family that featured two Broadway actors. He spent two years studying Performance Theatre in college, jumping right into the live event industry with an automated lighting equipment company. Shortly after, he would find his niche as a successful console programmer and lighting designer. Dierson's expertise has been called upon for numerous high-level productions, including the world tour of Shakira, the MTV Video Music Awards, numerous world tours for hip-hop entrepreneurs Jay Z, Meek Mill & Drake, numerous events for the the NFL, NBA, NHL, Volkswagen, Samsung and Walmart, multiple festivals such as Ultra Music Festival, Made In America, and Tidal X, and speaking tours for former First Lady, Michelle Obama. Patrick’s base of operations is now in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, where he currently resides as the Principle Designer at production design firm The Activity. In our first of two episodes with Patrick we discuss the politics around COVID response in the music industry; the idea behind design haven, the Activity; and the importance of operating like a business from the beginning.