Tracy Nunnally is both a professor at Northern Illinois University and owner/president of Vertigo a performer flying effects and specialty rigging company. He frequently teaches rigging at LDI, and was instrumental in launching RIGZ!, LDI’s two-day rigging intensive, and will be one of the moderators again this year, along with Eric Rouse and an A-list of riggers.
Use promo code RIGZ20 to save 20% on RIGZ! and level up your rigging knowledge at LDI.
Live Design: Can you describe yourself in less than 50 words?
Tracy Nunnally: I am a classically trained technical director who specializes in rigging and motion control. I have been a professional educator since 1995, a professional rigger since 1989, and a long-term member of IATSE, USITT, ESTA, ITA, URTA, and EdTA.
LD: Please give a brief overview of your training/education/career path.
TN: BA - LaGrange College (Georgia) / MFA - The Florida State University / TD - Theatre Calgary 1990-2000 / TD&Professor - Northern Illinois University 2000-present / Owner - Vertigo (2005 to present)
LD: Please describe your most recent project.
TD: I have many projects going all the time. One of my current projects is designing ceiling fans for Newsies that dancers can grab and fly/spin, and the the fans can then retract into the fly tower with colliding with nearby battens. One other current project is a production in Norway with a flying track over a body of water where the "bad guy" in the plot enters from under water and flies out over the audience.
LD: What are you teaching at LDI and who is your target audience?
TN: I am one of the moderators of RIGZ!, LDI’s rigging series of workshops. Specifically, I am teaching about rigging math and free body diagrams
LD: What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date?
TN: Vacations. I love what I do so much that vacations are quite stressful. My wife and I do not see eye-to-eye on this point.
LD: What is your advice for people just getting into the industry?
TN: Be on time and ready to work. People who are present, focused, and genuinely interested in their job are generally successful in this industry.
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