About Us

Vertigo has been providing exceptional flying effects around the world since 1991. Our team members share a passion for aerial creativity. They work to tailor our services to each client's needs, ensuring that the flying effects support the director's overall vision.

Our primary goal is to provide safe and reliable special effects rigging in a calm and collaborative environment.

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Our Staff


“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” - Einstein

I can find something to say about any topic. Like it’s a super power.

I love the word "moist" because it creeps people out.

Tara Fugate

Flight Attendant
Tara (they/them/he/she) relocated from Ohio to join the Vertigo team in 2014. Their love of theatre started from a young age and has only grown and morphed as they have grown as a person. Tara is always happy to collaborate with clients on fresh new takes on the classics of theatre.
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My hidden talent? Cracking a bullwhip.

My personal motto is 'Wanderers are not always lost.'

Me in 3: Inventive, Procrastinator, Positive

John Moore

General Manager, Flying Director
John is a Midwestern guy who taught himself technical theatre skills as a kid, sometimes by accident, like when he landed the counterweight of his first pulley system on the hood of the family car. Now, he holds ETCP Certifications in both arena and theatrical rigging. John studied scenic and lighting design for his B.F.A. and began working for Vertigo in 2005 while earning his M.F.A. in Technical Direction.
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In my previous life I was a rubber chicken.

I've honed the ability to adapt. There is no one right way to do anything.

Favorite pasta shape? Elbow. It's the shape of a rainbow.

Lewie Long

Flying Director
Lewie has been with Vertigo since 2014. Originally from Sandusky, OH, he trained as both a technician and an actor and is an ETCP Certified Rigger - Theatre. He provides the background music for the heart of Vertigo: the shop. Show tunes can be heard all over the building, resonating from the dulcet tenor that is Lewie's voice.
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Went after a career in engineering, but missed theatre.

I love hosting game parties and being in the middle of the action, depending on the phase of the moon, or the planets, or my blood sugar...

Jamie LOVES snakes.

Jamie Nicklas

Flying Director
Jamie is the daughter of two theatre technicians. She received numerous awards in school and has experience in props, scenic design, carpentry, and stage management. She completed the CM-ET hoist technician program and is now an ETCP Certified Rigger - Theatre. Vertigo welcomed Jamie to the team in 2016.
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Secret company title: Keeper of Chaos.

Fav breakfast cereal? The old Cookie Crisp with the bandit on it because they were up to no good and that seemed like fun.

Cats or dogs? Both. At the same time. And they’re probably fighting.

Christine Walker Guelde

Business Manager
Christine has been working in the accounting field since 1998 and enjoys helping businesses achieve their financial goals. She was introduced to theatre at the age of 10 and has been involved in one way or another ever since. Christine was welcomed to the Vertigo team in 2015.


3 Faves: Expanse book series, RadioLab, This American Life

I love to hang with my pups, scuba dive, and kayak.

My favorite thing about Vertigo is the latitude to explore out of the box solutions and use creative problem solving.

Chris Kurszewski

Head of Automation
Chris has been a pillar of the Vertigo team since 2008, and his talents are shared with Northern Illinois University School of Theatre & Dance, where he is the resident Master Electrician and Sound Technician. Chris holds a B.S. in Electronics Engineering Technology and an M.F.A. Theatre Arts - Design & Technology. He served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves, which included a tour in Iraq during OIF1.


I love Vertigo's mutual respect among team members. This is a furiously creative group of people.

I'm pretty sure I was a wizard in another life.

My company role is being the Wise Old Owl.

Tracy Nunnally

Owner, President
Tracy has worked in professional theatre since the 1980s. His contributions include all aspects of theatre automation, motion control, rigging, pyrotechnics, special effects, scenery construction, and technical design.
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My company role is the Tracy Wrangler.

Top 3 Authors: Melissa Foster, Meghan March, Jodi Picoult

I love reading and playing with granddaughters at my lake house in Georgia.

Gabe Nunnally

Co-owner
As one of the company’s leaders who has been in the entertainment industry for more than a decade, Gabe ensures Vertigo is moving in the right direction and travels to ensure the company’s name is brought to its brightest light.