Ricky A. Moats

Producer | Management | Designer | Technician

Ricky A. Moats is the Head Production Electrician at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. In this role, he leads the electrical department in realizing Broadway-scale productions, collaborating with international designers to translate complex creative visions into visually compelling realities. A technical expert with a focus on precision and safety, Ricky ensures that Chicagoland audiences experience world-class theater powered by state-of-the-art production standards.

Beyond the stage, Ricky is a strategic leader in the arts community. He serves as the Owner and Executive Producer of Moats Entertainment and Consulting, LLC, and sits on the Board of Directors for Chicago Dance CRASH. As an Advisory Member, he works alongside executive leadership to drive organizational progress through fundraising, meticulous event planning, and impactful community outreach. His commitment to the Chicago community extends to PrideChicago, where he is entering his third year of service, managing parade logistics and expanding community engagement via the Events Committee.

Previously, Ricky served as the Production Manager for the Harris Theater for Music and Dance and Radius (Auris Presents), where he oversaw the logistics for a diverse array of international music, dance, and corporate events. His career is marked by a history of managing high-stakes environments, from serving as the Assistant Production Manager at the historic Emerson Colonial Theatre (ATG Entertainment) during the pre-Broadway run of A Beautiful Noise, to leading the technical stage staff for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. on the Allure of the Seas. While abroad, he managed upwards of thirty weekly productions for audiences of 1,500, ranging from hit Broadway musicals like Mamma Mia! to specialized aquatic and ice-based spectacles.

Ricky’s technical foundation is backed by an elite educational background. He holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Design and Technology (Minor in Dance) from West Virginia University, and both an M.F.A. in Production Management and an M.S. in Arts Administration from Boston University. A staunch advocate for workplace safety, he is ETCP Entertainment Electrician Certified and holds multiple OSHA certificates in health, safety, and evacuation planning, alongside a certificate in Contract Law from Harvard University.

He is a proud member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 2, the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). Whether he is hanging a complex light plot or consulting on organizational strategy, Ricky remains dedicated to the intersection of technical excellence and the advancement of the performing arts.