Eli Rigatuso, founder of “Speaking of Happy”, a web documentary channel, is an Omaha, Nebraska Native and has more than 20 years of experience in the broadcast news and production arena. He has owned and operated a video production company since 1995 and has worked for local TV affiliates KMTV 3 and KPTM Fox 42. Eli has also spent a year helping Omaha residents make their way safely to and from work doing Air Traffic reporting! He is an outspoken Equal Rights Activist lending his fundraising expertise to the campaign against the Nebraska Defense of Marriage Amendment, Initiative 416. Eli served on the board and as the President of Heartland Pride, a local 501c3 non-profit organized in 2010, which hosts The Pride Festival in Omaha. Omaha Gay Pride 2012 drew a crowd of more than 4200 people and we secured 62 vendors which included community organizations, a Pride Bridal Fair, Art Fair and Pet Fair! Eli was one of the founders of the organization and was an active board member for 4 years. Eli currently works full-time at Bellevue University and spends most of his free time on Speaking Of Happy. He is currently writing a book about his own transition journey as well as producing videos which will be found here documenting his journey. Eli is determined to make a difference and use his skills to tell the amazing stories of our local LGBTQIA heroes!
Eli recently interviewed SNAP! Artistic Director Michal Simpson about SNAP! Productions and our upcoming production of Mama’s Girls.