Tony Ricotta
Master of Business Administration, 2008
Making the impossible look easy is something that Tony Ricotta does daily. As the company manager for ‘O’, the Cirque du Soleil acrobatic production at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Tony is responsible for managing all aspects of the show’s production. The troupe performs 476 times per year and features world-class acrobats, synchronized swimmers and a unique stage for underwater performances.
After seven years with Cirque du Soleil, Tony found himself in a high level management role but felt something was missing.
“I had moved up through the ranks and learned from the best … ” he said. “But, I think people in the entertainment industry forget that this isn’t just theater, it is a business. You have to make the right business decisions and continue to be profitable or you close the show.”
Tony’s boss, also a University of Phoenix graduate, recommended that he pursue an advanced degree at the Las Vegas Campus. Tony graduated with an MBA in August 2008.
“The MBA provides the clarity about why we’re making certain business decisions. While I had wonderful mentors who provided me the background I needed for this management position, the education I received at University of Phoenix reinforced the value of what I was doing.”
