Tracy Eck ​Chair, 2024 Masters Chair

A native of Chicago, Tracy Eck holds a degree in French Language and Literature from the University of Wisconsin, where she fell in love with contemporary French Theater. After completing an internship at the Théâtre National de Strasbourg, she worked between Paris and New York as a freelance lighting designer. In the late 80’s, she returned to the Midwest to study with Broadway designer Richard Nelson at the University of Michigan Master of Fine Arts program. While there, she was recruited to return to France and join the show light lighting team of Imagineers for the Disneyland Paris project.  

​She quickly became an essential part of that park and was one of a small group of Imagineers to join the Design and Show Quality team after opening, to continue to train the maintenance staff in the upkeep of the park and to design new projects. Imagineering at DLP proved to be a perfect fit for the bi-lingual, bi-cultural American designer passionate about other cultures.

Eck shifted back as a lead lighting designer for the development and installation of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, the Walt Disney Studios Park, Crush Coaster, Toy Story Playland and the World of Disney flagship store. She was awarded the 2002 LDI Lighting Designer of the Year, themed project, for her work on the Walt Disney Studio park. In between major projects, she returned to her role with Design and Show Quality where she continued to work on numerous refurbishments as well as new projects resort-wide.

Eck has been a key player on many themed entertainment projects, including rides, restaurants, retail spaces, area development, and major icons. “I have had the pleasure of working absolutely everywhere in the resort, so I know it really well.”

She continued to learn and grow as a designer and earned a promotion to lead Art Direction for the Disneyland Paris portfolio. Today, as the art director for the Disneyland Park, Eck is responsible for maintaining the creative vision, relevancy and beauty of the park through the disciplines of animation, special effects, lighting, interior design, audio, graphics, and more. “I have great respect for designers and technicians. I always try to be a respectful art director;”
 
She believes in partnering and problem-solving: “The team and I spend lots of time problem solving alongside our maintenance and operations partners, and the many lines of business as we continue to enhance, refresh and redesign the park. It is important to listen and propose good solutions in order to become the partner of choice.” 
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After 29 years in the themed entertainment world, Tracy is at the top of her craft. She has managed many complex projects from concept through completion. She remains an essential part of the DLP team where she has mentored many young designers over many years. “Mentoring young Imagineers is a very rich exchange. I always learn as much as they do! If I don’t then I haven’t been listening. My mentors have been so important to my career. I am happy to do the same for others.”

She sets the highest standards for herself to accomplish a quality product that will delight Disney guests; and she inspires other members of the team by her example. She believes “We accomplish nothing alone. It’s all about strong teams, and the Imagineering teams are truly exceptional. I learn new things every day. I have formed strong, beautiful friendships.  When you build a new project, the team becomes like a family.”