MAX NEWS
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Heartland Performing Arts Launches The Collegiate Arts Bridge at MAX; A Dynamic New Workforce Pathway for Emerging Arts Professionals
Heartland Performing Arts is proud to announce the launch of The Collegiate Arts Bridge at MAX, an innovative 16-week professional experience designed to strengthen workforce development and expand educational access in the performing arts industry for undergraduate and graduate students in the Midwest.
This innovative program fills a critical gap in the performing arts conference industry by connecting the next generation of professionals with practical learning, mentorship, and industry exposure, strengthening the future of the arts through education and collaboration.
For more information about the program: midwestartsxpo.org/collegiateartsbridge
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Heartland Performing Arts Announces New Officers and Welcomes Two New Board Members
Heartland Performing Arts is pleased to announce the election of a new executive committee and the appointment of two new board members, alongside the renewal of three returning board members for new three-year terms spanning 2026–2028.
Together, these leadership updates reflect the organization’s continued commitment to sustainable governance, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term service to the touring performing arts field.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2025
Midwest Arts XPO 2025 Committees
The Midwest Arts XPO would not be possible without the help of the following people volunteering their time to organize the 2025 conference!
CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE
Tommy Hensel, Chair, Elgin Community College
Josh Sherman, Theaterworks USA
Kerith Iverson, Délégation du Québec à Chicago
Lisa Rock, Close To You/Lisa Rock Entertainment
Sara Barasch, IMG Artists
Sarah McCarthy, Dandelion Artists
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Jennifer Morris, Chair, Siegel Artist Management
Lori Andersen, Andersen Arts Group
Lindsay Bauer, Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts
Gail Boyd, Gail Boyd Management
Alexis Cuda, Oak Creek Performing Arts & Education Center
Gary Minyard, Dayton Live
Regina Ruhberg, Washington Pavilion of Arts & Science
Wallace Thomas, Ball in the House
SHOWCASE COMMITTEE
Jennifer Morris, Chair, Siegel Artist Management
Tara Bailey, Bailiwick Agency
Shantel Dow, Sheldon Theatre of Performing Arts
Joshua Kane
Derrick McBride, Dance Theatre of Harlem
Kevin Peters, GL Berg Entertainment
Lisa Rock, Lisa Rock Entertainment
HOST COMMITTEE
John Hassig, Co-Chair, Marcus Performing Arts Center
Jared Duymovic, Co-Chair
Kevin Horton, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment
Merrill Miller, Northshore Center for the Arts
Ichun Yeh, Sozo Media
Tyler Nikolas, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts
Matt Anton, ACA Music & Entertainment
Matt Beringer, The Pabst Theater Group
Josh Sherman, Theaterworks USA
SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE
Laurel Canan, Chair, Siegel Artist Management
Bill Blagg, Bill Blagg Magic & Illusion
Tommy Hensel, Elgin Community College
Kerith Iverson, Délégation du Québec à Chicago
Daniel Israel, Jazz at Lincoln Center
MARKETING/COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE
Tianna Conway, Chair, Moraine Valley Community College
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025
Heartland Performing Arts Announces New Officers and Welcomes Five New Board Members
Many thanks to outgoing president, Tommy Hensel, who served as board president from 2022 to 2025, and was instrumental in establishing Heartland Performing Arts as a nonprofit and leading the successful launch of the inaugural MAX conference in September 2023.