Warren Tranquada is the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s president and CEO. He joined the Center last summer from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark where he served as Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. He was responsible for strategic planning and business operations for the organization and its $50M annual budget. The organization has a national reputation for its diverse and distinctive programming, entrepreneurial and innovative business model, vibrant arts education, community and civic engagement and its role as an economic catalyst for downtown Newark. Since arriving in Dallas, Warren has focused on rebuilding audiences post-COVD, engaging them in more pre- and post-show experiences on the Center’s campus, and ensuring the Center remains on a sustainable financial footing. He views the Center as a critical and collaborative cultural institution for the City, one that provides impactful cultural experiences both in the Arts District, and across the community. Under Warren’s leadership, the Center and its stakeholders are completing a new strategic plan process, with a purpose of “Shaping the stage for life to thrive in Dallas.” Prior to NJPAC, Warren was a co-founder and partner with the social sector consulting firm Aperio in Newark and Toronto, a vice president with Chase Manhattan Bank in New York, and an associate consultant with Bain & Company Canada in Toronto. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University in Montreal and an MBA degree from Harvard Business School, with a focus on nonprofit business structures and social-purpose investment vehicles. Warren and his wife Alexine have three children. In his spare time he enjoys playing hockey, competing in triathlons, and enjoying all forms of the performing arts.

Konrad Rudnicki is the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center’s Chief Financial Officer, overseeing Finance, Ticket Services & Analytics and Shared Data Services. Prior to joining the Performing Art’s Center, Konrad had more than 20 years of finance related experience. Most recently, Konrad served as Vice President of Finance and Commercial for Hunt Oil Company. While at Hunt, Konrad had the opportunity to lead and work on several initiatives, starting with Hunt Energy Horizons as its Business Development Manager, later as Director of Strategic Planning for Hunt Oil Company, served overseas in Peru as Commercial Director at Peru LNG and led Hunt’s Middle East projects in Yemen and Kurdistan. His career began in Dallas with Triton Energy working in the finance/accounting department on internal projects; after Triton Energy’s acquisition by Hess Oil he joined North American Coal as a senior strategy analyst working with the company’s CFO on short and long-term strategies as well as assisting in capital allocation process and financing transactions. Konrad earned both his MBA and B.B.A. from Southern Methodist University, concentrating in finance and business strategy.

Paul Cathey is the General Manager and is proud to have joined the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center prior to its opening in 2009. Paul’s 26 years of experience include national tours, production management, lighting design, audio engineering, technical direction and pyrotechnic displays. From arenas, theatres and convention centers to parking lots and rooftops, these skills enable Paul to have a global understanding of the varied needs of live event production. He is particularly well respected for his ability to budget shows and have them work in either a single venue or on the road in many. Paul has been at the director level for more than 19 years, and overseen all operations, from booking to settlement, of a variety of events, from concerts to Division I athletic contests. He is often requested to speak at conferences or universities, where he also occasionally mentors. Regionally, he has worked or designed for Texas Shakespeare Festival, The Dallas Opera, Shakespeare Dallas, Bruce Wood Dance, Dallas Summer Musicals, Texas Ballet Theater, UNT Opera, Water Tower Theater, Metropolitan Classical Ballet and IATSE Local 126. Paul earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Design and Production from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is a professional member of USITT and IAVM, a graduate of their Venue Management School, and is currently pursuing his Certified Facility Executive designation.

Tracy Hargis is the Vice President of Human Resources and joined the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center in 2010. Tracy has 18 years of experience handling employee relations, recruiting, performance management, and benefits. Her past employment includes Asbury Automotive Group and Aon Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, among others. Tracy earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Texas, and is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management. “I love the diversity of events that we bring to the Dallas area, that I work with a group of people who are creating that ‘gathering place’ envisioned so many years ago, and that we are building something for the inclusion of everyone.”

Chris Heinbaugh joined the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center in May 2011 after a long career in journalism and politics. He and his team focus on arts education, community engagement, government relations, arts advocacy, and institutional communications. Prior to that, Chris served as chief of staff to Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. He was Leppert’s policy, political and media adviser and the point person on his education initiatives. Before that, Chris had an 18-year career in journalism. He moved to Dallas in 2000, covering City Hall and politics for WFAA-Channel 8 and occasionally writing for The Dallas Morning News. He also worked at TV stations in Seattle, Phoenix, Richmond, El Paso and Orange County, CA. Chris served on the national board for the journalism organization Investigative Reporters and Editors and was a founding member and first president of the Lone Star Emmy Chapter. During his journalism career, Chris received 13 Emmy Awards, two Edward R. Murrow Awards and was named Best Reporter by the Associated Press Broadcasters in both Texas and Arizona. Chris graduated Cum Laude from California State University, Northridge in 1989 with Bachelor of Arts Degrees in both Political Science and Journalism. He also holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Chris is Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson’s appointee to the Visit Dallas Board of Directors. He also serves on the boards for the Klyde Warren Park/Dallas Arts District Public Improvement District, Dallas Area Cultural Advocacy Coalition, Texans for the Arts. He is a member of the Dallas Assembly and on the Fair Park First Legacy Council. He is a former member of the Dallas Arts District Board of Directors. Chris is an avid skier, enjoys biking, a curator of great dinner parties, loves modern sculpture and dance, traveling the world, is a big fan of most everything in the Dallas Arts District and the city’s diverse cultural community. He loves being an ambassador for Dallas!

Rolanda Gregory, raised here in Dallas, is the new Vice President of Marketing for the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Rolanda is responsible for brand management, audience development, advertising and performance marketing, social media and marketing technology.

Kendall Purpura is the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center’s Vice President of Development. Kendall joined the Center in 2020 after serving in the same role at The Tobin Center in San Antonio. She was part of the inaugural team to open The Tobin Center in 2014 where she assisted with closing their capital campaign and was responsible for launching their annual fund and membership programs. She also developed and launched The Tobin Center’s education programs, which serve more than 93,000 students and families each year. Before The Tobin Center, Kendall worked at the University of Texas San Antonio as the Director of Development for the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, Director of Development at Purdue University Convocations and Curator of Education for the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Baylor University and is not a stranger to the Dallas area. She started her career with the Dallas Children’s Theater National Touring Company as an actor and company manager. In her own words, Kendall is “passionate about the transformative power of the performing arts, and the importance of ensuring that all community members have arts access.”

Greg Seamon is the Vice President of Programming & Venue Sales at the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center. Greg joined the Center in 2018 and is responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of all programming initiatives across the campus, including Broadway, Center Presents and #hearhere. Greg joins the Center (and Dallas) from the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Prior to the Kimmel Center, he worked for both Paradigm Talent Agency and Creative Artists Agency in New York City. Greg earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Rutgers University. He has served on the board of the Consortium of Eastern Regional Theaters (ConsERT) as well as the Pennsylvania Presenters. In 2016 he was selected to the Emerging Leadership Institute at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference.

Curtis Meek is the Senior Director of Ticketing and Analytics at the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center, overseeing and supporting all ticketing functions including sales and customer service as well as ticketing-related reporting, analytics and revenue management. Curtis joined the Center after a ten-year career at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra as Director of Guest Services. His work experience is filled with diverse leadership and management experiences in sales, customer service, contact center operations, online fulfillment and retail. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business from San Jose State University and an MBA in International Business from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Curtis loves working “behind the scenes” in the entertainment industry as he is passionate about entertainment in all its forms – from concerts, musicals and plays to music, movies, TV and sports.

Marissa Cogburn is the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center Director of Venue Rentals and Sales. Marissa joined the Center in 2021 and is responsible for all facets of the Center’s rental business, both ticketed events and private rental events. Marissa has a passion for bringing new patrons to experience the Dallas Arts District from corporate conferences to theatrical performances. AT&T Performing Arts Center has over 11 diverse venue spaces to accommodate any event needs and Marissa is here to help your rental vision come to life!

Caroline Crocker is the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center’s Director of Marketing, responsible for booking and marketing Broadway shows. Caroline came to the Center from SHN Presents, where she served as General Manager. She managed the annual marketing budget and worked with the Center’s staff on all Broadway-related efforts, including ticketing, group sales and publicity. Prior to joining SHN Presents in 2013, Caroline was the Buying Director at one of Dallas’ largest independently owned advertising agencies, Southwest Media Group. She served as the Account Supervisor for locally and nationally based clients, such as Whataburger, Pizza Hut and Texas Health Resources. While at Southwest Media Group, Caroline was awarded the AWM (Alliance for Women in Media) Award of Excellence for DFW Local Buyer four consecutive years during her tenure. Caroline earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Baylor University. When not at the Center, Caroline enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and her English Goldendoodle, Prince Harry.

Hector works for the AT&T Performing Arts Center as Director of Strategic Services where he has the pleasure of connecting with, and providing services to, the Dallas arts community, in particular to the small and mid-sized arts organizations. In this capacity, he also administers the process of receiving and reviewing grant applications, and distributing funds for the Moody Fund for the Arts. Since its inception 5 years ago, he has overseen distribution of 238 grants to 79 organizations for a total of $1,580,000. Hector is also a fulltime actor represented by the Kim Dawson Talent Agency. He works in TV and radio commercials, episodic TV, voiceovers, corporate/educational projects, new media, print, stage and film. He is a proud member of both Actors Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA, where he is a longtime member of the DFW Local Board and is now the elected national board member representing members in the northern half of Texas, all of Oklahoma and Arkansas. He serves on the SAG-AFTRA National Executive Committee, as well as several other national committees, seeking to improve wages, benefits, safety, conditions, and equity for the 167,000+ members worldwide. Hector began lobbying for film incentives in Texas in 1999 as an individual, ultimately assisting in the creation of the Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TXMPA, now called Texas Media Production Alliance), where he served as its first President (2006) and led the creative industries to successfully pass, in the 2007 Texas Legislative Session, the Texas Moving Images Incentive Program (TMIIP), administered by the Governor’s Texas Film Commission. The initial $55 million rose to $75 million in 2009 and $95 million in 2011. While the successful program still continues, Hector has stepped back from leadership and continues as an enthusiastic member and its “institutional memory.” As an active member of the Dallas community, he served 8 years on the City of Dallas Planning and Zoning Commission (6 years as the Chair appointed by then Mayor Ron Kirk), and previously served as Vice-Chair of the Human Services Committee. He has been active on several nonprofit boards, primarily in the areas of food equity and equal rights. He previously spent many years as a restaurateur. Hector was born in Havana, Cuba, grew up in New Jersey, graduated from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music in Illinois, and moved to Dallas to study acting at Southern Methodist University for a year, where he also worked on the staff. He and his husband of almost 35 years, former City Councilmember Craig Holcomb, are active members of First United Methodist Church in downtown Dallas, live in the historic building South Side on Lamar in The Cedars neighborhood, with Brick, the Aussiedoodle, and Grace, the American Shorthaired Silver Tabby, and they enjoy films – actually viewed on the big screen – wine and food, the performing arts, Formula 1 racing, and shopping for treasures at estate sales of little old ladies in East Dallas.

Autumn Garrison is the Director of Education and Community Engagement at AT&T Performing Arts Center. With more than a decade of experience in nonprofit arts education, Autumn passionately believes that everyone should have access to the transformative power of the arts. She discovered her love for arts education during her time as a museum educator at Dallas Contemporary. After four years of working as an instructor for the museum’s Art Think outreach program, she was appointed as the Paula and Jim Crown Director of Learning. From 2012 to 2016, she developed youth programs, organized artist lectures, and collaborated on special projects with educational institutions and nonprofit organizations throughout Dallas. In 2016, she jumped at the opportunity to return to her performance roots and joined the Center’s staff as the Senior Manager of Education and Community Engagement. Autumn has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Performance from the University of Texas at Dallas and is affiliated with the National Art Education Association, the Informal Educators of Dallas County and the Arts Council at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. In her free time, she enjoys distance running, museum visits and trips to the theatre and ballet.

Hanna Gross is the Controller for the AT&T Performing Arts Center. She is a CPA that has spent over 9 years in public accounting as an auditor specializing in the nonprofit sector.

Adam Hourigan is the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center’s Director of Information Technology. Adam began his career at the Center in a network administration role and was instrumental in the design and implementation of the Center’s network, hardware and telephony infrastructure, strategy and business continuity practices still utilized today. In 2009, Adam was promoted to Infrastructure Manager and two years later promoted to his current role. Prior to joining the Center, Adam gained invaluable experience serving as an IT help desk supervisor, providing remote multi-tier support for an out-of-state energy company with a customer base of more than 3 million. Adam is as passionate about IT as he is about concrete, and spends his time off working on small and large-scale projects as a concrete hobbyist.

Weston Keifer is the Director of Production for the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Weston joined the Center in 2011. As Technical Director, he built up the production staff, operations, procedures, helped create the Center’s hands-on arts education program Backstage Spotlight, which teaches technical theatre skills to Dallas high school students. All this while overseeing the thousands of shows, events, and meetings that take place on our campus.

Robert McDowell is the Director of Patron Services for the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center. Robert joined the Center as a House Manager just before grand opening in 2009. He is now responsible for front-of-house and patron services, including managing more than 400 front-of-house volunteers and staff. Born and raised in Dallas, Robert is a graduate of St. Mark’s School of Texas and The University of North Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio, Television and Film. He is a longtime member of the International Association of Venue Managers. When Robert is not at the Center, you can find him working on projects at home in Grapevine or spending time with his wife Kelly (a former Center employee) and their two children. They enjoy vacationing in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and cheering on the college football national champion Clemson Tigers. Robert is thankful to have the opportunity to work at such an incredible facility in the heart of the Dallas Arts District.

Jennifer Perez is AT&T Performing Arts Center Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. She originally hails from New York City where she spent over a decade using her marketing, development, operational, and interpersonal skills to bring large-scale nonprofits optimization of their performance. She and her family moved to the Dallas area in late 2018 and they have embraced Texas as their home through and through.

Robin Plata joined the AT&T Performing Arts Center team in June 2022 as Director of Development after almost 12 years at one of its resident companies, Dallas Theater Center.

Bill Spellman is the Director of Digital Marketing at the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center. Bill joined the Center in 2014 and is responsible for all strategy, implementation and management of the Center’s digital marketing ecosystem, including website operations, social media, e-mail marketing and search engine marketing. Prior to working at the Center, Bill was the Web Marketing Director for a high-volume e-commerce retailer in the luxury home and garden industry. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy, studying at both The University of Texas at Austin and Dallas Baptist University. With three kids attending Dallas schools, Bill has cherished the opportunity to share the performing arts with his family. His wife Sarah is a DISD teacher in Oak Cliff. On occasional nights and weekends, Bill plays drums with Dallas bands CLIFFFS and Ben Folds Laundry, and greatly enjoys being involved in the Dallas local music scene. His favorite memory at the Center is a tie between two bucket-list shows in the Winspear Opera House: Paul Simon and David Byrne.

Chuck Thomas is the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center’s Director of Facilities, overseeing physical plant operations, yearly and capital improvement budgeting, preventative maintenance, landscape services, custodial services, supply acquisition, and negotiating service, energy, and utility contracts, as well as ensuring the Center is up to date on facility inspections. Chuck has worked his entire career in facilities management, mostly in education but also in healthcare and now the arts. Locally he’s worked for Arlington and Richardson ISDs, Texas Christian University and Tarrant County College. His higher education experience also includes Virginia Tech, University of Notre Dame, Indiana University at South Bend, Purdue University, and Georgia Gwinnett College. Chuck has been responsible for millions of dollars, thousands of acres, and hundreds of buildings and employees. Chuck earned a master’s in Public Administration from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology from Indiana State, and is a member of many industry associations.

Kit Westerman is the Director of Operations for the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Recognizing the Center as a ground-breaking establishment, Kit brings a multitude of successes from theaters, arts centers, festivals and education programs throughout the country. Understanding the strategic importance of smooth operations, Kit values each member of the team, and appreciates our opportunity to serve as a home for patrons to enjoy a broad spectrum of arts programming.