San Francisco and New York— April 13, 2022 — Today the firm announced that its founder, S. Leonard Auerbach, will assume Emeritus status after more than 50 years of active practice as a theatre consultant and lighting designer.

“Len is a rare talent and has played a major role in defining the theatre consulting industry since its inception. He successfully led the firm and provided support and design leadership to our clients and staff,” said Steven Friedlander, the firm’s President. Patricia Glasow, Executive Vice President added “Our architectural lighting practice is a direct outgrowth of Len’s background and success in theatre and lighting design which is the foundation of our expertise in the lighting of performance and cultural environments. His vision was the basis for our growth in the commercial and institutional sectors.”

Legacy
Len Auerbach founded the firm in 1972. His extraordinary leadership and the efforts of the team that now directs the firm, built it into a globally recognized theatre design, audio-video and architectural lighting consultancy with an extensive portfolio of award-winning projects. Len led the development of a comprehensive approach to design and drove much of the creation of stage machinery and systems that are standards in the theatre production industry today. The firm has collaborated with renowned architects, design professionals, arts institutions and owners on opera houses, professional repertory theatres, concert halls, performing arts educational facilities, museums, and planetariums, as well as popular entertainment venues in theme parks, casinos, and cruise ships. Alongside his theatre and AV consulting, Len has designed the architectural lighting for numerous performance venues, as well as significant civic and commercial projects. He has been an innovator in the design of custom light fixtures, optics, and lighting control systems.

Over the years Len has been active in professional organizations such as the United States Institute of Theatre Technology, International Society of the Performing Arts, Illuminating Engineering Society, International Association of Lighting Designers and is an Allied Member of the AlA. He also was a founding member and past president of the American Society of Theatre Consultants. He is particularly proud of initiating and his continued participation in the Theatre Architecture Studio at Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts.

In speaking about the future of the firm and his legacy, Len Auerbach said, “The spirit of collaboration with our clients and their team of professionals has always been an important key quality leading toward design excellence”. Although Len’s day-to-day involvement in the firm has concluded, as Emeritus, he will continue to contribute to special projects, as needed.

Expanded Ownership
As Auerbach Pollock Friedlander/Auerbach Glasow look to the future, the firm also has announced the addition of Brad Kisicki and Patrick McCue as its two newest owners.

Brad Kisicki has been with the firm for 11 years and becomes a Principal in the New York office. Brad’s approach to design, and to supporting our clients, is based on his significant experience in theatre production design and management as well as his architectural training. Since joining the firm he has led the planning and design for multiple projects and spent two years as the firm’s on-site representative during the design and construction of the La Perle Theater at Habtoor City in Dubai.

Brad Kisicki (left) has been with the firm for 11 years and becomes a Principal in the New York office. Patrick McCue (right) is the firm’s Chief Financial and Operating Officer.

Patrick McCue is the firm’s Chief Financial and Operating Officer. Since his arrival in 2019, Patrick has successfully led the firm’s operations and guided it through the Covid-19 pandemic, setting the stage for its future stability and growth. His financial background, experience in the management of design firms and an upbringing filled with music performance makes him a perfect fit for Auerbach Pollock Friedlander/Auerbach Glasow.

Patrick and Brad join Steve Friedlander, Patty Glasow, Tom Neville, and Rob Hill as the firm’s owners. “We are thrilled to have Patrick McCue and Brad Kisicki augment our strong ownership team as we move forward to build on the foundation established by Len Auerbach,” said Steven Friedlander, the firm’s President.