Elena Hansen was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a Bachelors in Theatre Design and technology from Louisiana State University and completed her Masters in Fine Art in Stage Management from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. Elena has 17 years of experience as a stage and production manager in all areas of theatre, dance and music. She also has experience in cruise ship production, theatre camps with incarcerated teens, theater tours and music festivals. She most recently served as the Production Manager for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and the School of Theatre and Dance at Illinois State University.

Elena attributes her love of art partially to her parents who took her to museums, plays and musicals. She also saw many symphonies and operas with her grandparents as they were season ticket holders to the New Orleans Opera House. But Elena will tell you that “hearing Peter and the Wolf as a small child ignited my love for music. Going to a Monet exhibit sparked my love of art. Theatre and education run in my blood. I feel blessed to be able to make a living with my passions.”