Entertainment Project Services (EPS), a firm specialising in innovative solutions for theme parks and live events, has partnered with Stage One Creative Services, a creative engineering and automation leader for live entertainment and architectural projects.
This strategic alliance appoints EPS as the sole distributor of Stage One’s products and services across North America. This partnership unites two industry leaders, merging EPS’s deep knowledge of North American markets with Stage One’s globally recognised strengths in advanced show automation, kinetic architecture, and scenic engineering.
By joining forces, the two companies will offer clients seamless access to innovative technology and exceptional support that caters to the region’s distinct needs. We speak to Tyler Wise, CEO of EPS, and Tim Leigh, CCO of Stage One, to learn more about what this new partnership means for the industry.
Entertainment Project Services
EPS provides entertainment solutions for theme parks, theatres, live events, and immersive experiences. With a focus on delivering high-quality technology and exceptional service, it is a trusted partner for leading entertainment brands worldwide.
“Entertainment Project Services is not simply an engineering firm; we’re a full-service entertainment firm,” says Wise.
“We focus on bringing our client’s visions to reality, whether a napkin sketch or a complete set of engineered drawings. We handle everything from automation to scenic elements, effects, and all the services in between. That includes design, fabrication, project management, and installation.
“The team at EPS is talented in their respective fields. It’s an environment of professionalism that brings about a respect and teamwork culture I haven’t seen in many other organisations.”
Projects that the company has worked on include the stunt car for Cirque du Soleil’s 2019 spectacular, R.U.N. (pictured, top) The car was more than just a prop; with video integration, strobing lights, and performers leaping on and off while rotating at 7.5 RPM, it became a central element in driving the story.
EPS has also created a never-before-seen, and now patent-pending, Aquatic Catherine Wheel for Royal Caribbean, Asia’s largest winch light installation for Resorts World Genting in Malaysia, a movable model of the original Wright brothers’ aeroplane, again for Royal Caribbean, and more.
“We’ve had some great customers and partnerships that have led us down an exciting path. We’re now at the next stage of our growth,” says Wise.
Stage One
Meanwhile, Stage One has been at the forefront of automation and stage engineering for some of the most jaw-dropping events, theme parks, theatrical productions, and large-scale architectural projects worldwide.
“Stage One is an engineering and construction company that works in the creative arts. Rather than building standard structures, we create complex, interesting, and artistic projects,” says Leigh. “It’s an exciting place to work because of the variety. We work across artworks, installations, live music and entertainment, experimental architecture, and live events.”
Milestone projects include creating three identical sets for Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics international tour, including a first-of-its-kind free-standing cable net system, complex set construction for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, engineering and manufacturing a paternoster lift for Karl Lagerfeld’s flagship store, and an impactful reveal moment for the opening ceremony for the League of Legends World Championship Grand Final 2024
“If a project is too complex for standard contractors and requires creativity and innovation, that’s when we get the call. We always have to be brave—often, we’re presented with creative schemes that seem impossible at first glance.”
“There’s never enough money and time, but somehow, we always find a way.”
A shared vision
This collaboration ensures that clients in North America will benefit from enhanced access to Stage One’s dynamic portfolio of automation systems, stage machinery, and bespoke engineering solutions.
Speaking about what makes the two companies such a good fit, Wise says:
“The strength of the partnership between Entertainment Project Services and Stage One became clear early on. Both sides were focused on doing more business with good people without unnecessary fluff or posturing. From the start, we found that our strategies and needs were naturally aligned, so negotiations were straightforward.”
“A big part of this is that our core values match. We both wanted to expand our reach with a partner who shares our brand strategy. While we manage our operations differently, our experience in delivering high-quality projects makes working together effortless. There’s no ego on either side, just a shared goal of doing great work for our customers.”
Mutual understanding
At a fundamental level, EPS and Stage One share the same desire to do high-quality, creative engineering work, says Leigh:
“Our styles are very similar, and I was struck by how alike our projects are and, more importantly, how alike the challenges we face are. Clients come to us with elaborate designs, often with little time to execute them, and I saw the same bravery and willingness to take on these challenges in EPS that we have at Stage One.”
“What drew us to EPS was their strong mechanical manufacturing capability, much like ours, but they lacked a robust automation and control system. Our Qmotion product fits perfectly with their mechanical expertise, providing the control over power and signals needed to make their engineered solutions move.”
“At the outset, there was always a risk that we might compete for the same work, and when you meet new partners, you never quite know if you’re aligning or overlapping. But it quickly became clear that this was a collaboration, not a competition.”
“What made this partnership especially easy was how naturally we aligned,” adds Wise. “That mutual understanding meant negotiations came down to the fine details, allowing us to move forward quickly with a strong foundation for serving our shared customers.”
EPS and Stage One: stronger together
In terms of logistics, the partnership makes a lot of sense, says Leigh:
“This partnership aligns strongly with our long-term vision and growth plans. Stage One has a broad portfolio of capabilities, but we compete more heavily in some sectors than others. Early on, we did a lot of theatrical work and set builds for live events and projects for companies like Google, Facebook, and YouTube.
“However, simple set construction is where smaller companies with lower overheads can easily compete on price, leading to a race to the bottom, which we wanted to avoid.”
Instead, Stage One competes by taking on complex projects that require a level of bravery and engineering expertise that isn’t commonplace. “The bar is naturally higher in this space, so we’re cautious of price-driven competition and focus on complex mechanical and automation work.”
The company needed boots on the ground to open up the US market. “We could have set up our own operation, but that comes with significant challenges. Finding a reliable partner with the right facilities made far more sense.”
Beyond that, this partnership strengthens the support network, he adds:
“As we take on more permanent installation projects, where systems must function for 10 years or more, we can’t leave a team stationed indefinitely. EPS will provide ongoing support for our installations in the Americas, ensuring long-term success for our projects.”
Wise says:
“This partnership is ultimately about delivering for our customers. It expands our footprint and increases our capacity for project execution. EPS will be more able to support our EMEA customers with a strong, dependable workforce, which is a significant advantage.
“Likewise, Stage One will be able to bring its talents and technologies to North and South America, leveraging our sales force and project execution resources.
“It’s truly a win-win for both companies, but most importantly, for our customers, who now have expanded resources and greater capabilities at their disposal.”
EPS and Stage One continue to push the boundaries
Working together will also help the two companies to innovate and push the boundaries even more, says Leigh:
“The creativity truly comes from our clients; whether they are architects, artists, theme parks, or designers, they are the ones pushing the creative boundaries. However, there is also a creative element in developing new and innovative solutions.
“If the question is whether this partnership will make us more innovative, the answer is yes because together, we can be braver.”
Wise agrees:
“Our core values are at the heart of everything we do. They drive innovation while keeping us focused. These values aren’t just words on a wall; they guide our company and partnership. The market disruption we’re creating is already evident, and we know that by staying true to our strategy and customer focus, we will continue to succeed.
“Once you recognise that values are the foundation, everything else becomes easier to manage.
He adds that they are building a powerhouse team by combining Stage One’s expansive creative talents and world-class fabrication capabilities with EPS’s precision project management and top-tier technical operations.
“This move has expanded our workforce globally, creating a new level of project collaboration. I’m excited for our customers and guests to experience what this partnership will bring.”
Qmotion
Wise is also looking forward to the possibilities created by Stage One’s Qmotion platform, calling it a game changer in the live entertainment industry:
“It’s more than just an automation console. It’s a fully developed platform that provides reliable automation and control for an unlimited range of stage engineering hardware, including lifts, turntables, reveals, tracks, and decks. If it moves, Q-Motion can control it.”
With a solid reputation built over more than 20 years, Qmotion has powered some of the biggest shows and spectaculars. It can be scaled seamlessly, from moving a single piece of scenery to automating an entire stadium-sized ceremony.
“Bringing this technology stateside is a significant step forward for the American live entertainment industry, as it hasn’t been available in the North American market before. EPS is excited to be part of this growth.”
What’s next?
Talking about the future of the industry, Leigh says he is excited about what’s next:
” For decades, people have talked about ‘immersive environments’ without always questioning what that truly means. Too often, the term has been applied to experiences that fall short, like dragging kids through a dusty museum with a few buttons to press and some colouring sheets.
“Now, however, we’re reaching a point where immersive experiences genuinely live up to their promise, seamlessly blending digital content, motion graphics, physical environments, and storytelling to create transformative experiences.”
“A great example is the Abba Voyage experience in Stratford, which we were lucky enough to work on. When I first visited, I was stunned. I’ve seen hundreds of shows, but this one felt like seeing the future. Everything—down to the last detail—transports you completely from the moment you step inside.”
Organisations are beginning to master this level of immersion. “We’ll see even more groundbreaking developments in blending augmented and virtual reality with physical environments.
“On their own, VR and AR can feel underwhelming, but when combined with responsive environments that learn and adapt in real time, we’ll reach an entirely new level of engagement. Some incredibly ambitious projects are starting to come across my desk, truly next-level experiences. It won’t be easy, but it will certainly be fascinating.”
An exciting time for EPS and Stage One
Finally, Wise says:
“Stage technology is evolving to create what I’d call ‘practical magic’ in venues more than ever before. Audiences expect more, and our customers are pushing us to break boundaries, suspend disbelief, and create truly remarkable experiences.
“As EPS moves further into augmented reality and immersive environments, the automation and effects from Stage One allow us to push the limits of imagination. This partnership positions both organisations to create breathtaking experiences for our customers, their guests, and audiences worldwide.”
“It’s a thrilling time in the industry, with exciting new technologies emerging. Everything moves quickly, but one of our core values is always safety. We’re always ensuring that we remain vigilant about that. It’s also important to use this technology creatively, not just for the sake of technology itself, and that’s something Stage One and we both prioritise.”
The distribution partnership is effective immediately, with EPS as the primary contact for enquiries, sales, and support regarding Stage One’s offerings in North America, including the Caribbean.
Both companies are dedicated to collaborating with clients to deliver personalised solutions that enhance live experiences. In partnership, they aim to offer clients unmatched access to advanced technology and exceptional support, specifically designed for the region.
