Meet the people working behind the scenes to make your dream project a reality.
Leadership & Administration
Laura Macario
President
With four daughters and a large extended family, managing gatherings comes naturally to our President and resident Wedding and Event Planner, Laura. She loves the challenge of creating décor through lighting and effects based on a client’s “vision.” Her background in musical theatre often lends itself to creative textile and stage makeup solutions. When not orchestrating memories for customers, you can find her enjoying her grandchildren or on an RV trip somewhere warm!
Mike Macario
Vice President
As our founder, Mike has been with us on special projects and consults from the company’s inception. He’s an ETCP certified rigger whose electrical background and broad knowledge of rigging systems, dimming systems and lighting equipment enable him to provide cost effective repair solutions that ensure the safety of our staff and customers. Now that he has retired from the Fairfax County Fire Department, he enjoys fishing, spending time with his grandkids, and catching up on his “honey-do” list.
Ashlyn Lambert
director of finance
Ashlyn grew up in theatre and has spent the last 20 years managing small businesses in the hospitality industry. She has been with Artistic Concepts Group for 13 years and is responsible for the corporate finances and human resources administration. When she isn’t encouraging fiscal responsibility, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and 3 kids, sewing & crafts, drinking wine and pretending she’s a Michelin chef.
Michael Wysolmerski
Director of sales
Michael wears many hats when it comes to his responsibilities as the Director of Sales; all in effort to ensure that ACG exceeds customers’ expectations. He started with ACG as a counter sales team member over 13 years ago and has progressed his way up to Director of Sales holding many other technical positions at ACG. This experience has helped him develop the ACG team with a wide range of abilities always able to assists our clients at a moment’s notice with a variety of challenges. When he is not working for ACG he is actively involved as a volunteer fire fighter with his local fire department.
Bridgid Burge
Operations Manager
Bridgid is new to ACG but is loving digging her Type A personality into managing the operations and schedule. Bridgid has been working in theatre for over ten years. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and her MFA from Illinois State University before moving to the DMV. She also works around the region as a freelance scenic designer. You can check out her scenic design work at bridgidburge.com.
Luke Colella
Warehouse Manager
Luke has been an integral part of the ACG team for over 10 years. As warehouse manager he pays close attention to all the incoming and outgoing equipment, and makes sure everyone has what they need. Prior to joining the ACG squad, Luke worked with Signature Theatre and other local venues. If you have ever picked up from ACG, you’ve met Luke!
Project management
elspeth ridout-mccormick
Project Developer
For over 7 years Elspeth has enjoyed getting to know and assist our clients from theatres to houses of worship to educators. She is keenly aware of customer needs based on her years of experience working with a variety of theatre companies in the Northern Virginia/DC area including the Wolf Trap Opera Company and The Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center prior to joining the team at ACG. Elspeth holds an MFA in Theatrical Design and Production from Virginia Tech and a BFA in Scenic and Lighting Design from Shenandoah University. Outside of the office, Elspeth enjoys the great outdoors, whether hiking and biking with her kids, puttering in the backyard vegetable garden, or sipping a cuppa tea with a book on the patio.
Andrew Wright
project manager
Andrew’s love of technical theatre started in high school when he was a scenic carpenter on his first show. He went on to earn an AS in Technical Theatre from Tidewater Community College and a BFA in Scenic and Lighting Design from Shenandoah University. Andrew first joined the ACG team part time while at SU but was soon brought on full time. Over the last 12 years Andrew has been a key team member as a Lead Installer and now a Project Manager. His favorite project will always be Celebrate Fairfax Festival in 2014 where he meet his wife. They welcomed their twin babies on Mother’s Day 2020, the newest additions to our growing ACG extended family.
Production Management
James Morrison
Production Manager
James has been ACG’s Production Manager and resident Lighting Designer since 2017. He enjoys working with clients and taking their events to the next level. James is also an active multimedia and lighting designer in the DC metro area for theatre and dance. Some of his favorite theatre design credits include work at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, Nextstop Theatre, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and The Creative Cauldron, just to name a few. James holds a BFA in Scenic and Lighting Design from Shenandoah University and an MFA in Lighting Design from Illinois State University. To view more of his work please visit his portfolio at jamesmorrisondesigns.com.
Installation and Field Service
Ryan Yorde
Systems Engineer
ACG’s professional button-pusher.
Roger Thomas
Master Electrician
Roger is a licensed Master Electrician in Virginia and has been a long time partner with ACG for the last 30 years. Recently Roger joined the ACG team full time and has been a valuable asset with his wealth of experience in sound design for houses of worship as well as his skills as an electrician. Roger enjoys staying busy but in his off time he ranks visiting his grandkids in Florida as his favorite thing.
Dwain McMillan
Field Service technician
Dwain has spent the majority of his career supporting all things sound and stage lighting at Fairfax County Public Schools. After retiring from FCPS with 38 years of service, Dwain joined the ACG team as a Field Service Technician. In his off time, Dwain enjoys playing Country music on his guitar and spending time with his family.
Brandon Neveln
Lead Installer
Brandon has been a rock solid leader in our install department for over 4 years. He has a diverse background in construction and specifically enjoys working with our educational clients. When not climbing through ceilings, Brandon enjoys fencing and touring Loudoun County wineries with his fiancé.