Author: Jeffrey Clark

Dave Blass is a highly accomplished production designer and art director renowned for his exceptional creative vision and expertise in bringing fictional worlds to life on both the big and small screens. Dave was Star Trek: Picard‘s production designer for season 2 and for season 3’s spectacular reunion of the Enterprise-D command crew (not to mention the return of the Enterprise-D herself)!

Dave has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry through his meticulous attention to detail and ability to seamlessly blend aesthetics with storytelling. He has been nominated for the Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series Emmy for Justified, and also for the Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour or More) Emmy for Justified and later for Constantine. He was also nominated for the Art Directors Guild Award for Excellence in Production Design for a One Hour Contemporary Television Series for Justified.

Blass’s versatility is evident in his diverse portfolio, which includes iconic productions such as Justified, The Boys, Preacher and Constantine. His work on the show demonstrated his prowess in creating dynamic and immersive environments, as seen most recently in Star Trek: Picard!

Trekonderoga is absolutely thrilled to host Dave and his presentation on designing Star Trek: Picard‘s look and feel! Don’t miss out on your chance to meet the man in person at this year’s event!

George Takei is best known for his portrayal of Mr. Sulu in the acclaimed television and film series Star Trek. He’s an actor, social justice activist, social media mega-power, New York Times bestselling author, originated the role of Sam Kimura and Ojii-Chan in the Broadway musical Allegiance, and subject of To Be Takei, a documentary on his life and career.

Takei’s acting career has spanned five decades, with more than 40 feature films and hundreds of television guest-starring roles to his credit. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Actors’ Equity Association and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

With the outbreak of World War II, Los Angeles, California-born Takei and his family were placed behind the barbed-wire enclosures of United States internment camps along with 120,000 other Japanese Americans. He spent most of his childhood at Camp Rohwer in the swamps of Arkansas and at wind-swept Camp Tule Lake in northern California. At the end of the war, Takei’s family returned to their native Los Angeles.

Inspired by this difficult chapter of American history, Takei developed the Broadway musical Allegiance, an epic story of love, family and heroism in which he starred alongside Tony Award winner Lea Salonga. Allegiance’s record-breaking world premiere, at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in 2012, won multiple awards, and was followed by a Broadway run in 2015-2016.

Now a community activist, Takei serves as chair of the council of governors of East West Players, the nation’s foremost Asian Pacific American theater. He is also a member of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender political organization. Takei is Chairman Emeritus of the Japanese American National Museum’s Board of Trustees; a member of the US-Japan Bridging Foundation Board of Directors; and served on the Board of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission under President Bill Clinton. In recognition of his contribution to the Japan-United States relationship, in 2004, Takei was conferred with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan.

2021’s edition of Trekonderoga is his first appearance in Ti – what an opportunity to meet a fascinating member of the original bridge crew! Be there when he returns to where it all started, on the bridge of the Enterprise, in various photo opportunities and chats!

Dani Riedel is an NYC based comedian and author. She performs as Seven of Nine at conventions all along the east coast and as herself all over NYC and beyond. Her novel, Smile and Walk Away, is published by Champagne Books and available everywhere books are sold online.