Chad Hilligus

Board Member
Chad Hilligus is the newly-appointed Executive and Artistic Director of Performance Santa Fe. He has produced, directed and performed in over 300 shows, in more than twenty different countries across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Chad is a former member of the multi-platinum crossover group The Ten Tenors and 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 he frequently appears as a solo artist at concert venues across the country.
Prior to Performance Santa Fe, Chad spent five years at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA as the Senior Manager of Sponsorship Development, Resident Producer, and ultimately, Director of Major Gifts. During his tenure, he raised over $5 million in individual sponsorship revenue and worked closely with the CEO in all aspects of artistic planning. Chad is also currently the Artistic Programming Consultant for the Old Town Community Theater in Temecula, CA and serves on the California Presenters Board of Directors.
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 Carol Channing’s 95th Birthday—a star-studded spectacular at the McCallum Theatre, and a concert production of West Side Story as part of the centennial celebration of Leonard Bernstein with Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops. Chad also had the great honor of producing the official memorial celebration for the legendary Carol Channing.
Performance Santa Fe • (505) 984-8759
Chad Hilligus is the newly-appointed Executive and Artistic Director of Performance Santa Fe. He has produced, directed and performed in over 300 shows, in more than twenty different countries across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Chad is a former member of the multi-platinum crossover group The Ten Tenors and 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 he frequently appears as a solo artist at concert venues across the country.
Prior to Performance Santa Fe, Chad spent five years at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA as the Senior Manager of Sponsorship Development, Resident Producer, and ultimately, Director of Major Gifts. During his tenure, he raised over $5 million in individual sponsorship revenue and worked closely with the CEO in all aspects of artistic planning. Chad is also currently the Artistic Programming Consultant for the Old Town Community Theater in Temecula, CA and serves on the California Presenters Board of Directors.
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 Carol Channing’s 95th Birthday—a star-studded spectacular at the McCallum Theatre, and a concert production of West Side Story as part of the centennial celebration of Leonard Bernstein with Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops. Chad also had the great honor of producing the official memorial celebration for the legendary Carol Channing.
Performance Santa Fe • (505) 984-8759