Doryan started managing projects and events before he knew that was an actual job. In high school, he helped his Madrigal group put on the first Madrigal Dinner, complete with a play and concert. At Southwestern University, he organized the first and second Renaissance Fairs during his Junior and Senior years.
Once moved back to Austin in 2002, he and his friends started throwing dinner parties which became too popular for the Hyde Park homes in which they were hosted. So, a friend decided they should film it and turn it into a TV show pilot. It never got picked up, but it gave Doryan the beginnings of his first business. Wednesday Night Dinner Co. operated for 10 years, producing events benefitting local and national charities, while featuring local musicians, visual artists, venues, restaurants, and breweries.
Some of WND’s featured events include:
- Austin CORE Projects (August 2011, 2012, 2013) Transported, built and ran a kitchen crew in the desert for 2 weeks. Provided 3 meals plus snacks and drinks for a build crew of 30.
- Big Bang Bordello (SXSW 11) Our most well-attended event to date, with over 2,000 people in attendance, this Texas Steampunk show featured two stages, burlesque, live music, interactive “bordello beds”, and costumed characters entertaining people in the line.
- Feaster: A Post-Apocalyptic Miracle Cabaret (Nov-July ’10) Composed, wrote, and produced a rock opera with members of Opposable Thumbs Theatre Co. Sold out every performance, and currently in talks for making a movie.
- Fire of Fires (August 09) Transported, built and ran a kitchen crew in the desert for 6 weeks. Provided 3 meals a day plus snacks and drinks for a building crew of 80 people.
- Pastries and Pasties (SXSW 09 & 10) Organized this burlesque show and cupcake competition two years in a row with volunteers, vendors, bands, performers, sponsors and artists. Over 1500 people in attendance both years.
- Carnypocalypse (SXSW 08) Created special carnival games, managed 5 bands, many volunteers, and provided interactive rewards for the guests and sponsors.
- Codeathon (Spring 06 & 07) Built relaxation space for a 48 hour computer coding event to benefit non-profit organizations. Procured food sponsorships, Organized entertainment scheduled every 4-5 hours. Managed volunteers and catered some meals personally.
- Futures of the Past (SXSW 07) Organized a Steampunk-themed SXSW event for 1200 people at Scholz Garten with multiple stages, performers, exhibits, volunteers and White Ghost Shivers headlining.
- Cirque Du Molé (05-06) Two years running shows at multiple festivals with this mixture of Iron Chef and a Vaudeville/Burlesque show.
- Burlesque for Peace (02-08) Served as MC (and occasionally producer) for 6 years for this non-profit burlesque troupe, and had a great time.
- Wednesday Night Dinner Show (Fall 03) Helped Hububashu Media start up a live-filmed TV show pilot, featuring local foods, music, and artists. Was also one of the two weekly featured chef/stars. Filmed 8 episodes. Eventually turned the idea into a catering and event planning company.
He has also done Project Management for film and gaming company Bulltiger Productions during their first year, and was lead organizer for the Flipside Flood Relief campaign which raised over $31,000 for Milam County Flood Victims.