Vertigo

What Vertigo does

Vertigo is a performer flying effects and specialty rigging company founded in 1991 and headquartered in Cortland, Illinois, with a global service footprint. The company designs, installs, and operates performer flying rigs, counterweight fly systems, and motorized rigging systems for theatrical productions, houses of worship, special events, and aerial performances, and maintains an inventory of reusable flying props for marquee titles such as The Wizard of Oz, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera, and Beauty and the Beast. Its technical differentiators rest on safety and standards: staff hold ETCP certifications in both theatre and arena rigging, the owner is an ETCP Recognized Trainer and a voting member of the ESTA Technical Standards Program Rigging Working Group, and the company is a dealer and installer for all ETC motorized rigging systems.

Vertigo monetizes primarily through project-based professional services, including per-show flying effects contracts, recurring ANSI E1.47 rigging inspections (annual Level One and Level Two, with five-year cadence for manual systems), installation of counterweight and motorized systems, custom prop fabrication, and educational revenue via the TOP Flight Academy master class and on-site workshops. Customer acquisition is sales-led and event-driven: a website estimate form serves as the primary intake, Flying Directors travel to client venues for installation, training, and rehearsal support, and the company maintains active presence at LDI, USITT, SETC, FILO, URTA, and EdTA conferences. The customer base is long-tailed and diversified across Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, universities and K-12 schools, community theatres, houses of worship, and high-profile special events including a SpaceX-hosted party and the NHL All-Star Game.

The business is privately held by Tracy Nunnally (Owner and President, also a tenured professor at Northern Illinois University) and his co-owner Gabe Nunnally, with no disclosed funding rounds, acquisitions, or revenue. The company's stated differentiator is being the only flying effects firm founded and run by professional educators, embedding formal training, standards advocacy, and certification into both its brand and its operating model.

Name

Vertigo

Legal name

Vertigo

Website

https://getvertigo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vertigo is a privately held, Illinois-based performer flying effects and specialty rigging company founded in 1991, serving Broadway, universities, houses of worship, and special events with ETCP-certified riggers, ETC motorized system installations, ANSI-compliant inspections, and a global event-driven service model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theatrical Rigging Services

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Staging & Rigging Services (MPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Event Production & Technical Services (AV/Lighting/Staging) (MPAAAGAB)

Keywords

• Performer flying effects
• Theatrical rigging services
• Aerial rigging systems
• Venue rigging inspections
• Stage automation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cortland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Performer Flying Effects Services: Core business providing flying effects for theatrical productions, special events, and aerial performances. Includes equipment rental, installation, training, and on-site Flying Director support.
2. Rigging Inspections & Maintenance: ETCP certified riggers provide annual and five-year rigging inspections, maintenance services, and safety compliance assessments for venues.
3. System Installation: Installation of counterweight fly systems, ETC motorized systems, and custom rigging solutions for venues.
4. Flying Props Rental: Rental of flying props for major productions including Wizard of Oz, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and custom prop fabrication.
5. TOP Flight Workshops & Training: Annual master class training for technicians, operators, and performers. On-site workshop hosting and education services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Vertigo provides performer flying effects and specialty rigging services for theatrical productions, houses of worship, special events, and aerial performances. The company designs, installs, and operates flying systems with ETCP certified Flying Directors guiding productions from estimate through final bow, and also provides rigging inspections, system installation, and educational workshops. Services include equipment rental, installation, training, and on-site support, supported by an inventory of flying props for major shows.

Product overview

Vertigo is a performer flying effects and specialty rigging company founded in 1991, offering comprehensive services for theatrical productions, houses of worship, special events, and aerial performances. The core offering consists of performer flying effects services supported by Flying Directors who guide productions from estimate through final bow. The product portfolio includes Flying Props & Effects (a collection of props for major shows like The Wizard of Oz, Aladdin, The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, and custom prop creation), venue support services (Inspections & Maintenance with ETCP Certified riggers and System Installation including ETC motorized systems), and educational products (TOP Flight Academy annual master class and Flying Effects Workshops). The Estimate Request Form serves as the client-facing service intake tool. The company is unique as the only flying effects company founded and run by professional educators, with active contributions to ANSI standards for the entertainment industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Performer Flying Effects Services Core service providing performer flying effects for theatrical productions, including design, installation, training, and on-site Flying Directors who guide productions from estimate through final bow. Targeted at Broadway, Off-Broadway, professional theatres, community theatres, universities, and schools.
• Special Events Flying Effects Custom flying effects for special events including corporate functions, concerts, and large-scale productions, with capability to fly props, performers, and platforms. Past clients include NHL All-star Game (Las Vegas) and SpaceX St. Jude Splashdown Party.
• Aerial Performances Support Rigging support for aerial performances ranging from single rigging points to fully automated systems, including rental of aerial apparatus and custom prop design for aerial performances.
• Houses of Worship Flying Effects Specialized rigging and flying effects designed for houses of worship facilities that are often not built like traditional theatres, with custom installations for religious productions such as Christmas and Easter pageants.
• Flying Props & Effects Collection of flying props available for major flying shows including The Wizard of Oz, Aladdin, The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, and custom prop creation. Includes props such as Balloon Gondola, Bert Trolley, Chandelier, Enchanted Rose, Gen 11 car, Glinda Bubble, Globe, Hanging Effect, Lyra & Trapeze, Magic Carpet, Moon, Pegasus, Santa Sleigh, Swings, Table, Vines, Wonkavator, and Wrist Loops.
• Inspections & Maintenance ETCP Certified professional rigging inspections including Level One and Level Two Rigging Inspections per ANSI Standard E1.47, covering manual rigging systems, fire safety curtains, and motorized rigging systems.
• System Installation Theatrical rigging system installation services including complete counterweight fly systems, with dealer and installer capabilities for all ETC motorized systems.
• TOP Flight Academy Annual master class training program for Technicians, Operators, and Performers covering basic physics of performer flying, risk analysis and reduction, equipment selection and installation, and proper operation and flying techniques. Attendees come from around the world.
• Flying Effects Workshops

Quantifiable outcome

• ANSI Standard E1.47 recommends Level One Rigging Inspection annually and Level Two at least every five years for manual systems
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ETCcoreTechnology or IntegrationProud dealers and installers for all ETC motorized systems. Vertigo provides inspection and installation services for ETC systems.
• Access CastersminorOthersEquipment supplier for theatrical rigging needs
• AmspecminorOthersEquipment supplier partner
• Matt Sweeney Special EffectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for special effects projects
• KresserminorOthersPrecision equipment supplier partner
• Peak TradingminorOthersEquipment trading partner
• Rockford SpecialtiesminorOthersSpecialty equipment supplier
• Temporary Power by DesignminorOthersTemporary power solutions for events
• NicopressminorOthersWire rope and cable equipment supplier
• Northern Illinois University (NIU) School of Theatre & DancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing educational partnership; owner Tracy Nunnally serves as Technical Director and professor; graduate program hosting
• ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive membership; voting member of ANSI accredited Technical Standards Program Rigging Working Group
• ETCP (Entertainment Technician Certification Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple staff members are ETCP certified; company is Recognized Employer and Recognized Trainer
• USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member organization for theatre technology professionals
• Educational Theatre Association (EdTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member; presents master classes at EdTA festivals and events
• Illinois Theatre Association (ITA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwner serves as Professional Representative on Board of Directors; lifetime member
• PLASAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional lighting and audio association membership
• LDI (Live Design International)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConference presence; presents master classes at LDI
• SETC (Southeastern Theatre Conference)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConference presence; presents sessions at SETC
• FILO (Formation, Instruction, Learning, and Organizing)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConference presence; presents master classes
• URTA (University/Resident Theatre Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConference presence; presents master classes
• Michigan ThespiansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational theatre organization partnership
• IATSE Local 212coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwner is active member of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
• BMI SupplyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment distribution and supply partner
• TSP (ESTA Technical Standards Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in standards development; voting member of Rigging Working Group

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TAIT Towers: Global provider of staging, automation, and performer flying effects for live entertainment. Closest direct competitor in the flying effects and automated rigging category, serving the same Broadway and touring production customers as Vertigo.
• Fisher Technical Services: Designer and manufacturer of show automation and rigging systems for the entertainment industry, including performer flying. Comparable in providing engineered performer flying systems and automation to theatrical and theme park clients.
• Mountain Productions: Provides theatrical rigging, staging, and event production services including overhead rigging installations. Comparable in rigging inspection, installation, and live event rigging services targeting theatrical and concert venues.
• Sapsis Rigging: Entertainment rigging consultancy and inspection services firm with deep involvement in ANSI/ESTA standards. Comparable in providing ETCP-aligned rigging inspections and engineering services to theatres and venues.

Broad incumbents

• 4Wall Entertainment: National provider of entertainment lighting, video, and rigging rental and production services. Comparable in serving theatrical and live event clients with rigging-adjacent services, though broader in lighting and video rental.
• Christie Lites: Large entertainment lighting and rigging rental company serving theatrical, concert, and corporate events across North America. Comparable in event rigging rentals and theatrical production services, though broader in lighting focus.
• JR Clancy (Wenger): Manufacturer of theatrical rigging hardware including counterweight and motorized systems, now part of Wenger Corporation. Comparable as a supplier of rigging systems Vertigo installs and inspects, and broader in hardware manufacturing.
• Production Resource Group (PRG): Large-scale entertainment production services company providing rigging, automation, and staging across Broadway, concerts, and corporate events. Broader portfolio than Vertigo but overlapping in theatrical rigging and special-event flying effects.

Regional players

• Clearwing Productions: Mid-market entertainment production and rental company with rigging and stage services in the U.S. Midwest and Southwest. Comparable in providing rigging and production services to theatrical and event clients, though with a different geographic footprint than Vertigo's worldwide deployments.

Emerging players

• ShowFX (Show Effects / ShowRig): Specialty performer flying effects and rigging provider for theatrical and event productions. Comparable in the specific niche of performer flying and harness/rigging rental for live shows, often co-competing for Broadway and touring titles.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/getvertigo

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vertigo