By Peg McRoy Glover
Hendricks Live! named Brownsburg resident Debbie Hennessey the general manager of Hendricks County’s new arts and entertainment venue in Plainfield.
She brings experience in event bookings, logistics and negotiations, venue management, communications, team development, sales, marketing and customer service.
“Debbie is a highly experienced leader with an impressive background in venue management,” said Chris Petrelli, executive director. “We’re so lucky to have her.”
She graduated from Murray State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in theater and fine arts and has spent more than two decades in the event and entertainment arena.
Her background includes working with Solution Tree, Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, Live Nation, Old National Centre and White River State Park. Early in her career she worked for Clear Channel Entertainment and Broadway Across America.
“My heart is in the theater, so being able to come back to a theater and help get it going is a wonderful opportunity for me,” ” said Hennessey. “I am thrilled I can live and work in Hendricks County and be a part of Hendricks Live!”
Hendricks Live! was built based on the size of its local arts organizations including The Children’s Ballet, Hendricks County Civic Theater, Hendricks County Symphony Orchestra and Hendricks County Arts Council.
“It is important that those art groups are given priority because it was built for them,” said Hennessey. “They have a home here so performances and events of the local arts organizations will go on the calendar first. I want to make sure that we take care of them, honor them and help them flourish. Other professional acts and events will be booked around them.”