Faces of 4Wall - Richard Gagliardi

In the fast-paced world of live production and event lighting, it takes a special kind of person to keep everything running smoothly. Today, we're diving into the life and career of Richard Gagliardi, a Service Department Lead at 4Wall Boston. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Richard has seen it all - from unexpected challenges to proud achievements. Join us as we explore their journey and gain insights into the unique demands of their role.

What's your name and title?
Richard Gagliardi, Service Department Lead

What 4Wall location do you work at, and how long have you been with the company?
4Wall Boston. I have worked at 4Wall for 6 years, and by way of acquisition, I have been with the company for over 25 years.

What was your "aha!" moment that made you realize this was the industry for you?
When I realized that there were more late nights than early mornings - that sold it to me. I've always been a night owl.

Describe your career path within this industry.
I started in stage/theatre work through community theatre when I was young, both on stage and backstage. After high school, I took a year off to experience the real world and moved to the Boston area. Through a friend, I got my first gig as a freelance stagehand doing electrics. That led to more gigs and eventually a job at a small lighting and production company, where the owners/management discovered my talent for troubleshooting and repair. I ended up staying there for 25 years!

If your job had a tagline, what would it be?
Broken is bad, intermittent is much, much worse.

What's the most unexpected or bizarre thing that has happened to you on the job?
It's probably a tie between two moments. The first was Harvey Fierstein tripping over me backstage while I was repairing a dimmer rack - he almost missed his cue! The second was completely rewiring the control cabinet for a mechanical bull needed for a Fortune 500 company's annual sales meeting.

How do you explain your job to family members who have no idea what it is?
If it's larger than your smartwatch or smaller than the building itself, it's my job to know how to fix it. Whether it's electrical, electronics, mechanical, networking, hydraulics, fabrication, HVAC, or confusion - even if I can't fix it, I know who can.

What's one thing people think is easy about your job - but in reality, it's way harder?
Waiting. It's tough waiting on parts shipments, approvals, client responses, or for equipment to break down so I can diagnose it properly.

If you could trade jobs with one person at 4Wall for a day, who would it be and why?
I'd love to shadow one of the Systems people who handle large theme park installations. The infrastructure at that scale fascinates me.

What's your secret weapon on a long, hectic day?
Coffee, upbeat EDM, staying hydrated, and never stopping until the gig is done.

What's a project you worked on that made you the proudest?
Building custom power supplies for LED tape for a trade show. It was my first big project with 3D design, custom fabrication, and scaling parts sourcing.

What's a piece of advice that sounded like nonsense at first but turned out to be true?
Own your mistakes. Admitting fault early builds trust faster than pretending to be perfect.

Are there any surprising life hacks at your job?
Bring extra socks. After 10 hours on concrete, fresh socks can make a huge difference.

What's the wildest client request you've received, and how did you handle it?
A client brought a stretch Cadillac Escalade with malfunctioning party lights to our shop. We diagnosed the issue, sourced replacement parts, and fixed it same day - just in time for his auction trip.

What's a mistake you made early in your career that taught you a valuable lesson?
Never badmouth people or name-drop in this industry. Word travels fast.

How do you stay on top of technology trends?
Read the manual.

What's one equipment trend you're excited about?
IP-rated fixtures for outdoor use - love the durability, but hate the complexity when repairs are needed.

What's a skill you've developed that you didn't expect to need?
Code switching - being able to communicate effectively with different teams and individuals.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Wear hearing protection. You only get one set of ears.

What's the best part of working at 4Wall?
The variety. Every day brings something new to fix, and the people are just as interesting as the challenges.

Describe your job in three emojis.
🔥 😬 🕛

What's your go-to karaoke song after a long event?
Nobody wants to hear me sing.

What's your favorite guilty pleasure snack on the job?
Mountain Dew and a Snickers bar.

If your work life had a theme song, what would it be?
Daft Punk - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.

Richard Gagliardi's journey through the world of lighting and event production is a testament to passion and perseverance. From bizarre client requests to personal growth and professional achievements, Richard embodies the spirit and dedication that defines the 4Wall team. Their story is a great reminder that no matter how complex or chaotic things may get, there's always a way to make it work.