Executive and Artistic Director, Chad Hilligus
Chad Hilligus is an accomplished performing arts executive, artistic leader, and producer with more than two decades of experience advancing cultural institutions, producing world-class artistic programming, and leading high-performing arts organizations. His career spans executive leadership, artistic direction, fundraising, presenting, producing, and performing, with oversight of organizational budgets exceeding $10 million.
In 2026, Chad was appointed Executive and Artistic Director of The Soraya at California State University, Northridge, one of the nation’s premier university-based performing arts centers. Prior to this role, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Gallo Center for the Arts, where the venue earned consistent recognition from Pollstar as one of the Top 10 ticket-selling venues worldwide among theaters with 1,500 seats or less.
Previously, Chad served as Executive and Artistic Director of Performance Santa Fe and held leadership positions at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California, overseeing development, major gifts, and special artistic projects.
A respected leader in the performing arts field, Chad has presented, produced, or performed in thousands of productions across more than 20 countries throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Before transitioning into executive leadership, he enjoyed a successful performing career, including appearances with multi-platinum classical crossover group, The Ten Tenors, and starring as Tony in the 50th Anniversary World Tour of West Side Story. He also performed as a Resident Artist with Sarasota Opera, Nashville Opera, Tulsa Opera, and San Diego Opera.
As Founding Producer of Innovative Arts Live, Chad has collaborated with renowned artists including Kristin Chenoweth, Tyne Daly, Lucie Arnaz, Alan Cumming, Lily Tomlin, Florence Henderson, and Gavin MacLeod. Notable productions include West Side Story in Concert with Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops at Boston Symphony Hall during the Bernstein Centennial, Carol Channing’s 95th Birthday Spectacular, and the official memorial celebration honoring Ms. Channing.
An active advocate for arts leadership and community engagement, Chad has served on the California Presenters Association Board of Directors since 2018, including as Chair of the California Leadership Program and Board Secretary. During his tenure at the Gallo Center, he also served on the boards of Visit Modesto and the Downtown Modesto Partnership.
