Tracy Nunnally (President)
Tracy is the owner and president of Hall Associates Flying Effects, the president of the North American Association of Flying Effects Directors (NAAFED), and an active member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). Tracy is also a member of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) and a lifetime member of the Illinois Theatre Association, and frequently donates his time and resources to provide workshops for instructors and young people at theatre festivals across the nation.
Tracy was one of the first 45 professional riggers to be certified by the ESTA’s Entertainment Technician Certification Program in both theatrical and arena rigging. He is one of only about 30 ETCP Recognized Trainers and an ETCP Recognized Employer. He is a specialist in all aspects of rigging, motion control, pyrotechnics, special effects, and scenery construction.
In addition, Tracy is a tenured professor and head of the graduate theatre technology program at the Northern Illinois University School of Theatre and Dance, where he trains the next generation of leaders and instructors in the entertainment industry. Standing firmly in both the educational world and the professional world, he believes in using his professional talents to enhance the educational experience of his students, and using his skills as a professional educator to create an effective collaborative environment with his professional clients.
Gabe Nunnally (Vice President)
Gabe is the Vice President of Hall Associates Flying Effects. As one of the company’s leaders who has been in the entertainment industry for more than a decade, Gabe ensures Hall Associates is moving in the right direction and travels to ensure the company’s name is brought to its brightest light.
Angie Howe (Business Manager)
Angie oversees the day-to-day operations of Hall Associates Flying Effects with the proven ability to develop leaders and create an environment of learning and growth, resulting in accelerated business performance. An accomplished professional and former business owner, she brings more than twenty years of experience in business management, human resources, accounting, sales, and customer service to the company. She has spent the past two decades perfecting the management skill sets that make her an invaluable member of the Hall Associates team.
John Paul Moore (Rentals Manager/Flying Director)
John has worked with Hall Associates Flying Effects since 2005. He has served the theatre industry in various capacities over the years, including holding the positions of Assistant Prop Manager for the Glimmerglass Opera Company and Technical Director for the Timber Lake Playhouse. With his MFA in Theatre Technology from Northern Illinois University, John has discovered a rewarding career path at Hall Associates where he enjoys flying performers and developing special effects for theatre, movies, and special events.
Katy Tollefson (Client Account Manager)
Katy specializes in customer relations and logistics at Hall Associates Flying Effects. Prior to joining the Hall Associates team in April 2007, she studied technical theatre and stage management for four years at the Conservatory of Theatre Arts in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Webster University. She then worked as a freelance stage manager in Chicago, IL, and also gained the valuable retail experience necessary to provide you with the best possible customer service.
Christopher Kurszewski (Lead Automation Technician)
Chris is the Lead Automation Technician for Hall Associates Flying Effects. A graduate of Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology, Chris is currently pursuing his MFA in Theatre Technology at Northern Illinois University. In addition to his studies and exceptional contributions to the Hall Associates team, Chris is also the staff master electrician at NIU. His previous theatre experience includes completing sound and lighting designs for Utah Musical Theatre, Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council, and Northern Michigan University. Prior to pursuing a career in theatre, Chris dedicated eight years of his life to serving his country as a Sergeant in the US Army Reserves, which included a tour in Iraq.
William Ian Auld (Flying Director)
William (Bill) is an ETCP Certified Rigger in Theatre as well as an ETCP Recognized Trainer. He has been employed as a flying director for Hall Associates since 2004.
Professionally, he has worked all over the world flying performers in Europe, Asia, Central America, and the Middle East. He has served as the Technical Director for the Lookingglass Theater Company and the Venue Technician for the La Jolla Playhouse Forum Theater. Bill earned his MFA in Theatre: Technical Direction from Northern Illinois University and his Masters Degree in Theatre from Bowling Green State University in conjunction with the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, in the United Kingdom.
Prior to all this work in theatre, however, Bill spent several happy years of his life jumping out of perfectly good airplanes in the United States Army, Special Operations; Airborne, Corps.
Stephen White (Assistant Fabricator)
Stephen is the Assistant Fabricator at Hall Associates Flying Effects. He brings the knowledge of an experienced welder, fabricator, and carpenter to the Hall Associates team. He earned his BFA in Media and Performing Arts from The Savannah College of Art and Design, took graduate-level courses in technical direction at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and studied MIG, TIG, ARC, and GAS welding at John A. Logan College. Past employers include the Utah Festival Opera Co., Burke Tooling and Manufacturing, and McLeod Summer Playhouse.
Troy Trinkle (Flying Director)
Troy has dedicated himself to theatrical pursuits since graduating Indiana University in 1991. He began in theater as a performer singing and acting, but he was always sought for his technician abilities. As a Flying director, Troy realizes the balance between working as a technician and artist where the disciplines of physics and art come together in performer flying. He is presently the Technical Director for the Indianapolis Civic Theater and sits as President of the Board for Interaction Theater Company, INC.
These days, in addition to a hectic schedule that frequently takes him out of town, he has been busy assisting his two daughters with schoolwork. Fourth grader Claire is confident that her school project employing simple machines will catch a real Leprechaun, and second grader Sophia, after reading each Harry Potter book, insists that her Dad watch the corresponding movie with her in case she gets scared. “Thanks to Catherine for not getting mad at me for working all the time. I’ll make it up to you when we’re retired.”
Dave Doherty (Rigger/Fabrication Assistant)
Dave comes to us all the way from Dublin, Ireland. As a real Irish rover, prior to coming to work at Hall, Dave gained experience working in theatres and cities around the globe. He brings a wide background in theatre which includes technical direction, design, and stage management of musicals, dramas, and comedies. Dave added to his theatrical experience as a student at Blackrock College in Dublin, Ireland, at Joliet Junior College, and has attended classes at Northern Illinois University. While being a contractor and Director of Entertainment, at Warner Barracks, Bamberg, Germany he had the privilege to work closely with the U.S Army (USAEUR), their spouses and communities. On his journeys, Dave met his beautiful wife and best friend Kate Leonardo, a Chicago native. The proud father of Liam, Fiona, Conall, and Meara, Dave now wants to experience what American theatres have to offer.
Brian Shaughnessy (Flying Director)
Brian joined the Hall Associates Flying Effects team in 2010. An experienced carpenter and rigger, Brian has quickly been put to work in every aspect of Hall Associates — from constructing set pieces to flying direction. Before joining the HAFE crew, Brian worked as a scenic carpenter for CSU Sacramento, a stagehand for Chicago Stagehands, and a rigger for the NIU Convocation Center. He received his BS in Construction Management and minor in Business Management from California State University, Sacramento and is happy to be out from behind a desk working with his hands again.
Katie Hemmeter (Media Coordinator/Customer Service)
After receiving a B.A. in Theatre Studies, Katie moved to New York City where she devoted three years to stage managing. She worked at several Off-Broadway venues, including multiple productions at the renowned Ensemble Studio Theatre, a short film, and the New York International Fringe Festival. Katie’s combined experience in stage management, retail, and office management has prepared her to be a fundamental member of the Hall Associates team. She plans to elevate her theatre background by attending graduate school in the future. Katie is happy to be back home in Chicagoland, and delighted to have a backyard for her dog, Roxy.
Lou Herout (Customer Service Representative)
Lou is part of the HAFE Customer Service team. She has a Master’s degree in Communication from Northern Illinois University and a wide range of experience in customer service, and a diverse background which includes communications, owner/operator of a photography company and dog training. Her current position involves special event and workshop coordination and assisting customer relations and logistics.
