As you watch a live performance, every minute of entertainment represents hours of work behind the scenes by entertainment engineers. Technical directors and designers use mathematics, engineering and artistry to keep performers and audiences safe while producing seemingly death-defying feats.

Join us to learn more about this fascinating process from Professor Tracy Nunnally, a full professor, technical director, the head of the Design and Technology Area in the Northern Illinois University School of Theatre and Dance. Professor Nunnally has worked in professional entertainment since the 1980s. His contributions include all aspects of theatre automation, motion control, rigging, pyrotechnics, special effects, scenery construction, and technical design.

Northern Illinois University STEM Cafés are part of NIU STEAM and are designed to increase public awareness of the critical role that STEM fields play in our everyday lives. They are offered in partnership with the NIU Alumni Association and made possible with support from Bayer Fund.