Chad Hilligus
Board Member
A proven arts leader, Chad was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, CA in July 2021. Previously he served as Executive + Artistic Director of Performance Santa Fe, and five years at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA in various roles, including Senior Manager of Sponsorship Development, Resident Producer overseeing all special programming projects, and ultimately, Director of Major Gifts.
Chad has produced, directed, and performed in over 300 shows in more than twenty different countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. A former member of the multi-platinum classical crossover group The Ten Tenors, Chad first gained international acclaim starring as Tony in the 50th Anniversary World Tour of West Side Story. He has performed as a Resident Artist with Sarasota Opera, Nashville Opera, Tulsa Opera, San Diego Opera, and frequently appears as a guest artist with orchestras across the country, most recently the Pacific Symphony and the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.
Chad is the founding producer of Innovative Arts Live. As a producer, he has collaborated with icons such as Kristin Chenoweth, Tyne Daly, Lucie Arnaz, Alan Cumming, Florence Henderson, Gavin MacLeod, Lily Tomlin, and a long list of Broadway performers. Highlights include producing and directing West Side Story at Boston's Symphony Hall as part of the Bernstein Centennial with Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops, producing and directing Carol Channing’s 95th Birthday Spectacular at the McCallum Theatre, as well as producing Ms. Channing's official memorial celebration following her passing in 2019 at the age of 97.
Chad is also proud to serve on the California Presenters Board of Directors as the Chair of the CP Leadership Program, and on the Board of Directors for Visit Modesto.
Gallo Center for the Arts - (505) 984-8759
A proven arts leader, Chad was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, CA in July 2021. Previously he served as Executive + Artistic Director of Performance Santa Fe, and five years at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA in various roles, including Senior Manager of Sponsorship Development, Resident Producer overseeing all special programming projects, and ultimately, Director of Major Gifts.
Chad has produced, directed, and performed in over 300 shows in more than twenty different countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. A former member of the multi-platinum classical crossover group The Ten Tenors, Chad first gained international acclaim starring as Tony in the 50th Anniversary World Tour of West Side Story. He has performed as a Resident Artist with Sarasota Opera, Nashville Opera, Tulsa Opera, San Diego Opera, and frequently appears as a guest artist with orchestras across the country, most recently the Pacific Symphony and the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.
Chad is the founding producer of Innovative Arts Live. As a producer, he has collaborated with icons such as Kristin Chenoweth, Tyne Daly, Lucie Arnaz, Alan Cumming, Florence Henderson, Gavin MacLeod, Lily Tomlin, and a long list of Broadway performers. Highlights include producing and directing West Side Story at Boston's Symphony Hall as part of the Bernstein Centennial with Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops, producing and directing Carol Channing’s 95th Birthday Spectacular at the McCallum Theatre, as well as producing Ms. Channing's official memorial celebration following her passing in 2019 at the age of 97.
Chad is also proud to serve on the California Presenters Board of Directors as the Chair of the CP Leadership Program, and on the Board of Directors for Visit Modesto.
Gallo Center for the Arts - (505) 984-8759