Longtime Rhino Staging Tempe team member Carolyn DuRoss has been promoted to National Director of Training for Rhino Staging. We recently caught up with her for a Q&A to track her journey up through the Rhino ranks and find out what she looks forward to in her new position.

What was your live event training and experience prior to coming to Rhino?

I walked into my first gig all those years ago knowing absolutely nothing about this industry. I had just moved to Arizona, found Rhino on an internet job search and thought “This would be a good temporary job.” Little did I know I would find a home and a career here.

When did you first start with Rhino and what was your position?

Like many Rhinos, I started by pushing boxes. It was 1999. The show was NSYNC and it was a big stadium tour at what was then Bank One Ballpark in downtown Phoenix. I walked out onto that field for load out and it was a kind of chaos I had never seen before. I ended up finding someone who looked like they knew what they were doing and just following their lead.

What positions have you held as you moved up through the ranks at Rhino?

1999: Started with Rhino as a stagehand. While I did gravitate towards lighting, I tried to learn the basics of all the other departments as well.

2001: Became a Supervisor

2004: Became a Master Electrician, Light Board Operator, and Lighting Designer.

2005: Became a Technical Director at the Arizona Financial Theatre (formerly known as the Dodge Theatre, the Comerica Theatre and the Arizona Federal Theatre).

2015: Took over the role of Production Manager in the Tempe office. I handled client rental requests and oversaw our rental equipment inventory and warehouse operations

2024: Became the National Director of Training

What do you look forward to in your new position?

I’m excited at the idea of expanding and improving our current training program and really looking at how we can grow it to keep pace with Rhino’s growth. And I like the idea of finding some new ways to get people invested in learning new skills, expanding their knowledge of the industry and helping them move forward in the company.

What are the challenges you see ahead and what are your hopes for addressing them?

There are going to be a few challenges in bringing our training program up to date and getting that training out there. But we have a nation-wide pool of experts in our trade to tap for knowledge and a variety of technologies to explore in getting training out there. Honestly, I’m relishing the challenge.

Is there a particular training that you most enjoy leading and why?

Turns out, I just like teaching. I had no idea I would enjoy it so much until I taught my first class in lighting basics way back when. And from formal classes to in-the-field teachable moments, I feel that by teaching someone to do something safely and the right way, we all win.

What have you most enjoyed about your tenure at Rhino?

We work crazy hours in this industry and the people I’ve done most of those long, long runs and back-to-back shows with at Rhino have become my life-long friends. And as it should be with family, I know if I need some back-up, they’ll be there for me, crescent wrench in hand, ready to help.

Congratulations, Carolyn, on your promotion and thank you for your amazing tenure of service to Rhino. You have helped make us what we are and we appreciate you!

Note: Read more about Rhino’s Tempe, AZ training facility where Carolyn conducts many of her training events.