LAS VEGAS – Entertainment Project Services (EPS), a Las Vegas-based industry leader in technical production and mechanical design, is strengthening its capabilities with the addition of an expert in the field, Dr. Tony Ricotta, as the firm’s new General Manager. Ricotta will bring his vast experience in show production management to lead the EPS team in its projects creating spectacular special effects and solving the most complex of live performance challenges.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Tony to the team at EPS as we have worked alongside him in different capacities for decades, starting at Siegfried & Roy through his tenure at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group,” said Joe Champelli, EPS’ President and Co-Owner. “He brings a high level of efficiency to every project and production he has managed, and we’re proud he will continue to deliver expert solutions to our clients at EPS.”
Over his career, Ricotta has served as the senior company manager or department head in numerous operations roles for incredibly complex productions of Cirque du Soleil, with its dozens of Las Vegas residencies. From the high flying and aquatic-based show, “O,” Ricotta began his journey with Cirque du Soleil, managing the stage’s automation and rigging for pulling off incredible human stunts above and under water. In years prior, Ricotta served as the Head of Department in New York for several Broadway shows.
Ricotta will perfectly complement the team at EPS, which has been executing major technical challenges in live entertainment. The company’s highest profile jobs have been in the creation of mechanical props and scenery, integrating their specialty machines with performer flying in shows on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas. EPS is also known throughout the industry for its other work with major theme parks and attractions: Trade secrets and non-disclosure agreements have built EPS into a best-kept-secret design powerhouse. You can see their latest work in the atrium lobby at the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas, where EPS designed and installed rigging systems for the hologram video wall, and the LED art installation The Rings of Time.
“Dr. Ricotta will be a wonderful asset to EPS as we continue to serve some of the largest clients in entertainment,” said Joe Champelli. “His experience in managing never-before-seen stunts on stage for Cirque matches the forward-thinking culture at EPS and his operations experience comes at a perfect time as we expand our offerings. At EPS we continually strive to deliver incredible technical marvels for our clients.”
About Entertainment Project Services
Established in 2007, EPS creates breathtaking experiences: Using a blend of mechanical design and creative artistry, we partner with world-class customers to safely solve the impossible. Our expertise ensures everything from stage show action equipment and performer flying rigging to themed architectural displays are robustly engineered for a one-of-a-kind audience experience. Taking concept designs past fabrication and installation, EPS also provides our clients with management support through the project’s lifecycle. We offer training for the production workforce, and inspections to help maintain and extend the life of our clients’ equipment and systems.
For more information, visit www.EPSsolves.com.