About Us
J. Ryan Kirk
Production Manager, Partner
Ryan finished college with everything he needed to begin a successful career as a theatrical stage manager: experience, grades, and plenty of contacts. Just after graduating, however, he unexpectedly turned down an excellent job in Texas, packed a very small bag, and left the country. No one heard from Ryan for a long time. Upon his return only his closest friends recognized him. Stories have slowly emerged, though incomplete, of him being chased across Ireland by the mob, surviving a bout of malaria in Africa, and sledding head-first down one of the tallest mountains in the Alps … in the dark. The only thing left which could ever compare to that kind of excitement would be moving home and starting a production company. Ryan Kirk, has spent his career coordinating events in a variety of disciplines including corporate, theater, and television. He served 5 years as the Lighting Director for the Cipriani Event Space at 55 Wall St., which hosts events ranging from weddings to trade shows to major concerts – including Lionel Richie, Santana, Earth Wind & Fire, Kanye West, The Pussycat Dolls, Duran Duran, Rihanna, Prince, Annie Lennox, and Aretha. In his spare time Ryan attends business school at NYU.
Melissa Johnston
Production Manager, Partner
Melissa has nine hundred and eleven soundtracks of musicals and would eat cheese with every meal if possible. She would like to be a veterinarian when she grows up. And a children’s book writer. And a marine biologist. And a violinist. And a photographer. And an actor, dancer, singer. And gemologist. Its safe to say that Melissa is not one who specializes and her influence can be found all over Tinc. After a long day running crews she might go over the gear order and production schedule for the next gig, shore up marketing, tweak the web-site, or send out the latest news to our freelancers. She does it all. She received her degree in Musical Theatre and Lighting Design in California, but decided the weather was just too nice and moved to the Northeast where she has found happiness organizing chaos in the event world. For all we know she may head the marine biology wing of Tinc one day.
Derek Knoderer
IT
As a youth, Derek asked a lot of annoying questions. He claims it’s due to a insatiable curiosity for How and Why things work. Most agree, however, he likes being an Insufferable Know-It-All. As an adult, Derek still asks a lot of annoying questions, mainly with regard to computers, but is able to answer most of them himself. He’s fascinated by the intersection of Art and Technology, holds Apple certifications in voiding warranties, and has a particular passion for sound design. When he isn’t busy keeping Tinc’s computers humming, he pretends to do the New York Times Sunday Crossword. It humbly reminds him being an Insufferable Know-It-All is no guarantee of being a successful cruciverbalist.