BRENDON TIGGS SHINES A LIGHT ON ETSU’S CAMPUS COMMUNITY
For Brendon Tiggs, dancing is an act of public expression and self-acceptance. Hailing from New Orleans, he graduated from East Tennessee State University in December 2021 with a bachelor’s in psychology and minors in sociology and social work. “I came to ETSU for a fresh start,” recalls Tiggs. “I’ll never forget the second week of classes, when I decided to go ahead and perform. I didn’t think it would get this far.” Starting with only an ihome speaker and light-up shoes, Tiggs made a decision that put into motion something he never anticipated would happen: he began to dance, every single day. Through this act of individualism and perseverance, he inspired thousands of people on campus. Over time, he became an ETSU icon: Light Up Guy. With his daily performances in high-traffic areas on campus, one would be hard-pressed to find a student who isn’t familiar with the name “Light Up Guy.” Known for his LED-adorned displays (and his incredible resilience to fickle Appalachian weather), Tiggs has managed to leave a lasting impression on the ETSU community. It all started with a childhood dream. Inspired by performers he saw in the media, Tiggs began to pursue dance as a method of self-expression. “Since I was little, I would watch videos of people dancing. It started with American dance crew Jabbawockeez,” recalled
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Tiggs. “And then, I really started to get into the dancers Les Twins. They really inspired me.” Since then, Tiggs has been working to improve his performances. All of his choreography is self-taught, and he designs his own light equipment. Despite being self-made, he isn’t in it all alone. Tiggs created a community for himself not only on campus, but online. His Instagram account boasts nearly 16,000 followers, and there he flourishes in a community where he and other artists support one another. While he is known for creating his own tracks, he often boosts other artists up by incorporating their music into his performances. Tiggs said these communities have enabled him to grow. Unfortunately, his journey to personal freedom was not always a pleasant one. Tiggs often struggled with being ostracized by those who reacted poorly, sometimes maliciously, to his unique methods of self-expression. “When I was in high school, people used to bully me for dancing, for just being myself,” admitted Tiggs. “I almost gave up on everything, but a part of me kept saying, ‘No, don’t give up.’ A person only loses when they give in, so as long as I’m putting up a fight, I haven’t been beaten yet.” While Tiggs said he initially came to ETSU in 2016 feeling reserved and withdrawn, it was only a matter of time before the support of the campus community began to help him shape and rebuild his confidence.
