Hi, I’m Preston Gillis. I graduated from Gloversville High School in 2025 and am currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica. Throughout high school, I immersed myself in a wide range of student activities from student government and broadcasting announcements, to Drama Club and high-altitude weather balloon clubs. I also had the unique opportunity to serve as the sole Rapid Prototype Lab Technician, maintaining 3D printers, laser cutters, and other makerspace tools, and helping classmates turn their ideas into functional parts.

Beyond school, I’ve always been driven by creating and building. I’ve completed numerous personal engineering projects, designing and constructing precision machinery, interactive models, and hands-on devices. I’ve also founded the Split Maple Workshop, a woodworking business specializing in handcrafted furniture, cutting boards, and décor using both traditional hardwoods and exotic woods. Throughout my life, I’ve always taught myself skills like 3D printing, electronics, programming (including C++ for Arduino), and drone photography, as well as fabrication across many mediums such as stained glass, leather, metal, foam, plastics, and much more!

Performance is another central part of who I am. I’ve been a magician for over a decade, performing more than 50 shows across the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region. My work spans from close-up magic to fully-produced stage shows entirely scripted with sound, lighting, projections, and animations. Acting has also been a passion of mine. I have appeared in over 22 plays and musicals, also with heavy contributions to behind-the-scenes work to build set pieces, props, and immersive experiences.

Looking ahead, I hope to combine all these passions; engineering, performance, storytelling, and design, into creating interactive experiences that captivate, inspire, and entertain. Whether I’m designing a machine, crafting a prop, or putting on a magic show, my goal is always to make something that’s precise, meaningful, and a little bit magical.

                      Yours Truly,