Experience

More than 25 years curating performing arts programming, most of it leading performing arts centers in higher education. Below is the career, the work, and the relationships that shape how I advise organizations today.

Career

Consulting Executive Director. Heartland Performing Arts, Inc. and the Midwest Arts XPO. Illinois. 2026 to present. First professional staff leader of the regional nonprofit that produces the Midwest Arts XPO, a touring performing arts conference with an annual operating budget approaching $650,000. I provide organizational leadership, financial oversight, strategic planning, and industry representation, working alongside event management partners, marketing consultants, and volunteer committees.

Senior Director of Performing Arts. Elgin Community College. Elgin, IL. February 2022 to April 2026. Curated all programming for the ECC Arts Center’s CenterStage visiting artist series and related programs, serving nearly 40,000 patrons a year across more than 200 events. Created the Midday Matinee series, negotiated artist contracts ranging from $2,500 to $45,000, managed five in-residence ensembles, and secured Illinois Arts Council ArtsTour and NEA Challenge America grants. Led an equity-driven shift to better reflect the cultural diversity of the college district.

Managing Director, Fine and Performing Arts Center. Moraine Valley Community College. Palos Hills, IL. 2008 to January 2022. Curated the annual Mainstage Series and created the Sunday Salon Series across two theatres and an art gallery. Moved the programming model from popular entertainment toward culturally integrated presenting aligned with the college’s mission of diversity and inclusion. Led the “Mosaics: Muslim Voices in America” initiative and the “Global Expressions” brand. Worked with the college foundation and grants department to secure over $1.8 million for programming. Tripled the annual subscription base and grew ticket sales from 70 to 85 percent of inventory.

Executive Director. Rochester Opera House. Rochester, NH. 2004 to 2007. Led all operations for a historic performing arts venue. Served as principal artistic director for self-produced theatrical work and primary curator for the presented season.

Owner and Founder. TAHensel Enterprises, Inc. Farmington, NH. 2003 to 2008. Produced musical and theatrical events and provided artist management services.

Co-Founder and Artistic Director. Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival. Harrisburg, PA. 1993 to 1996. Co-created the company from its initial vision through nonprofit incorporation and board development. Served as primary artistic manager and director for all productions.

Executive Director. Very Special Arts Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, PA. 1994 to 1996. Led a nonprofit promoting arts by, with, and for people with disabilities. Hired to restructure the organization across board development, fundraising, programming, and legislative advocacy.

Selected Curatorial Work

Series I created. The Sunday Salon Series, a cabaret-style showcase for local performers at Moraine Valley that ran more than five seasons. The Midday Matinee Series, a weekday afternoon format for senior audiences launched at Elgin in 2024 and growing through senior community partnerships. Club Cabaret, intimate black box programming at ECC.

Grant-funded initiatives. “Mosaics: Muslim Voices in America,” a three-year program funded by APAP Building Bridges and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, featuring residencies, community outreach, commissioned work, and performances by Niyaz, Omar Offendum, The Reminders, Amirah Sackett, and DJ Man-O-Wax. The world premiere of “American Griot,” funded by NEA ArtWorks, an original play exploring Muslim influence on American blues that earned Kennedy Center and ACTF nominations. A six-day NEA Challenge America residency with the Tibetan Monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery that drew more than 1,800 participants.

Thematic programming. The “Global Expressions” initiative at Moraine Valley, which broadened seasons with Gamelan Çudamani, Che Apalache, Mariachi Herencia de México, and Damien Sneed. A co-commission of SQUONK’s “Hand to Hand” alongside the Kennedy Center, Artscape, and Discovery Green.

Community-responsive curation. The Hiplet Ballerinas, the highest-attended show of its season, presented with partners “I am LEAD” and Ballet Folklórico Huehuecoyotl. Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, Chicago Tap Theatre, and Nobuntu.

Marquee artists presented. Chita Rivera, Olympia Dukakis, Cloris Leachman, John Waters, Paula Poundstone, Natalie MacMaster, The Hot Sardines, Visceral Dance Chicago, The Second City, Under the Streetlamp, and Victor Wooten, among many others across music, dance, theatre, comedy, and spoken word.

Industry Leadership and Nonprofit Founding

Heartland Performing Arts, Inc. Founding board member in 2022. Incorporated the organization in Illinois and co-developed its application for 501(c)(3) status. Served as founding Board President from 2022 to 2025 and Board Treasurer in 2026, and built its financial accounting processes from the ground up.

NAPAMA, the North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents. Board member, and recipient of the 2023 NAPAMA Award for Excellence in Presenting the Performing Arts.

View my acceptance speech

Illinois Presenters Network. President and Chair for 11 years, leading the statewide consortium of arts presenters.

Arts Midwest Conference. Co-chair of the 2018 annual conference.

Grants Secured

Across my career I have secured over $1.8 million in grant funding, including APAP Building Bridges through the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation for “Mosaics,” NEA ArtWorks for the world premiere of “American Griot,” NEA Challenge America for the Tibetan Monks of Drepung Loseling residency, and Illinois Arts Council ArtsTour grants including the Hiplet Ballerinas, Ensemble Español, and Chicago Tap Theatre.

Selected Season Brochures

A look at some of the seasons I’ve curated, in their own words.

Earlier brochure PDFs available by request.

Education and Teaching

Master of Arts in Theatre, University of South Carolina, 1993. Bachelor of Arts in Voice Performance and Radio/TV Production, magna cum laude, Florida State University, 1988, with minors in Theatre and Film History. I have also taught as an adjunct professor of humanities at Moraine Valley from 2013 to 2022 and of theater at Harrisburg Community College from 1994 to 1996.

Honors

Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key National Honorary, Phi Kappa Phi, and MENSA.

Let’s Talk

If this is the kind of partner your organization is looking for, let’s talk about your next season.