ABOUT US

From design to applause, we've got this.

Stolz Productions is theatrical design and magic company based out of the Toronto area. Drawing from the expertise of company owner and designer Chris Stolz, we work with clients from all over the world designing, building and consulting for the stage.

For theatre productions we design and build sets, props and practical magic effects. Our founder has even started to become known as Mr.Poppins due to the sheer number of productions of Mary Poppins we’ve worked on!

For magicians, our work is a mix of design and fabrication for individual productions and products for the wider magic community including new effects and publications. For instance, Chris is the author of the highly successful 2017 book on Black Art, Hiding In The Shadows.

Whatever your poison, we’re here to help you make magic on that stage!

Meet Chris Stolz

Chris Stolz brings to the table a mastery of theatrical lighting and sound systems and design, rigging, scenic design for the theatre and has worked both on and off stage in hundreds of theatrical and magic productions over the years. His ability to create practical, creative solutions for theatrical illusion and special effect challenges is what has identified him as a true expert in his field. As a result, he is known as one of the top illusion designers in the industry today. On stage, Chris has performed for audiences all over North America and an actor and a magician and studied with a friend and one of the top expert card magicians of the century, the late Martin A. Nash, aka “The Charming Cheat”.

When combining theatrical and magic concepts, Chris also follows his own unique process. Using top-of-the-line 3D and drafting technology, he can digitally build each illusion piece by piece with the ability to see the entire prop with materials, lights, shadow, and reflections from every possible angle. This process has proven to be very successful, saving clients both time and money before fabrication by allowing them to see exactly what a live audience would see.

While 3D rendering is a very important part of our design process, Chris does not feel that it is a replacement for physical testing, research and real life experience. 3D renderings are created only after the utmost attention to exact physical scale and real world limitations have been established.

Published Works

Hiding In The Shadows: Black Art For The Stage
Buy the digital edition

The Effects of Beauty And The Beast
Buy the digital edition

Illusionary Appearances
Buy the digital edition

Awards

THEA, Best Set Design, Musical
Oklahoma | 2017

THEA, Outstanding Technical Achievement
The Who’s TOMMY | 2013

Clients

Set Design

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Set Design
City Centre Musical Productions
2020

Mary Poppins | (THEA Award Nomination)
Set Design
Meadowvale Music Theatre
2019

The Producers
Set & Projection Design
Meadowvale Music Theatre
2018

CHESS The Musical | (THEA Award Nomination)
Set & Projection Design
City Centre Musical Productions
2018

Oklahoma | (THEA Award, Best Set Design, Musical)
Set Design
City Centre Musical Productions
2017

Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical
Set Design
City Centre Musical Productions
2016

The Full Monty
Set Design
City Centre Musical Productions
2015

Jesus Christ Superstar
Set Design
City Centre Musical Productions
2014

Missing
Set Design
Theatre Aurora
2014

The Who’s TOMMY | (THEA Award, Outstanding Technical Achievement)
Set Design & Effects
City Centre Musical Productions | 2013

Steve Martin’s The Underpants
Set Design
The Oakville Players
2009

Magic Effects

The Who’s TOMMY | (THEA, Outstanding Technical Achievement)
Set Design & Effects
City Centre Musical Productions | 2013

Shrek
Pinocchio’s Nose Effect
Meadowvale Music Theatre
Mississauga, ON

Mary Poppins
Practical Effects
Arts Club Theatre
Vancouver, BC

Young Frankenstein
Practical Effects & Monster Makeup
Clarkson Music Theatre
Mississauga, ON

Beauty And The Beast
Practical Effects
Theatre Unlimited
Mississauga, ON

Mary Poppins
Practical Effects
North Shore Music Theatre
Beverly, MA

The Wizard of Oz
Practical Effects
Whalebone Theatre
Parksville, BC

Into The Woods
Practical Effects
St. Clements Theatre
Toronto, ON

Mary Poppins
Practical Effects
Brampton Music Theatre
Brampton, ON

Dracula, The Musical?
Practical Effects
The ECHO Players
Qualicum Beach, BC

Harvey
Practical Effects
The Oakville Players
Oakville, ON

Mary Poppins
Practical Effects
Meadowvale Music Theatre
Mississauga, ON

An Inspector Calls
Practical Effects
The Oakville Players
Oakville, ON

All Night Strut
Magic Consulting & Directing
Music Theatre Mississauga
Mississauga, ON

Mary Poppins
Practical Effects
Theatre Des La Salle
Toronto, ON

The Gondoliers
Magic Consulting
Clarkson Music Theatre
Mississuaga, ON

Enchantment
Magic & Illusion
Whalebone Theatre
Parksville, BC

Mary Poppins
Practical Effects
Toronto Catholic District Schoolboard
Toronto, ON

The Sting
Card Cheating & Gambling Consulting
Whalebone Theatre
Parksville, BC

Mary Poppins
Practical Effects
Woodstock Collegiate Institute
Woodbridge, ON

Mary Poppins
Practical Effects
Saint Louis University Theater
St. Louis, MO