A Passion for the Arts

The Henderson Area Arts Alliance (HAAA) was designed to enrich the community, educate the children and provide inspiration to all, and that is exactly what Alex Caudill intends to do. Alex is bringing energy, excitement, and high ambitions to the Henderson area as the new HAAA director. He says he is not intimidated by long hours or hard work, and is ready to give Henderson all he has.

Alex is a longtime resident, whose ancestors helped found Henderson. His roots run deep in Henderson, and he even attended Holy Name School where his mom, Jackie Caudill, has been a teacher for twenty-nine years. His passions for the arts began there during his 8th-grade year when his mother insisted he perform in a play she was helping direct.

“My mom was big in the arts and always encouraged the family to participate,” he explains. “I didn’t want to be in the play, but I did it anyways and ended up loving it! Before 8th grade, I was a loner, but getting on stage really helped bring me out of my shell. I got bit by the theater bug, and I’ve been involved with the arts ever since.”

Alex was the president of the Henderson County High School drama club and even directed a play right after high school with his now fiancé, Brenna Jewell. It was a student-produced show that cast local parts.

“We produced it, directed it, and actually made some money from it at 18 years old. It was a lot of fun,” he adds.

Alex continued his education and love for the arts at Georgetown College in Kentucky. Alex recalls, “Georgetown was a small and private, liberal arts school where I was able to be involved with everything and excel. I loved it! I was the only person in my senior class who participated in every single production in the theater all four years. I built the sets, painted them, ran the lights and sound boards, hung the lights, and performed on stage. I was exposed to all the different elements of theatre, and it was an incredible experience for me. I was also the president of the “Maskrafters,” the oldest collegiate theatre troupe in the state of Kentucky. It was an honor for me to be their president, serve in that role, and lead my fellow students.”

John Quincy Adams once stated, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” Well, Alex has only been in the HAAA director position since December, and his leadership skills are already at work. He is currently working on a three to five-year plan, and he is not afraid to ask for help. He has a great support system in place, and he has no problem delegating. Alex is dedicated and ready to do whatever he can to help promote and support the arts in the Henderson area.

“I’ve talked with the people of Henderson to discover their desires and hopes for the arts, and they want bigger names, more acoustic shows, Christian artists, country musicians, family shows, bluegrass, and more opera/Broadway shows,” Alex reveals.

Alex wants to help promote the local artists and says HAAA is behind them 100% by providing grants for the affiliate arts to help support them in whatever they do. “We are an umbrella organization for all the artists in the Henderson, Union and Webster counties, and we help fund community events such as the Handy Fest.” Alex further explains, “The majority of the funding comes from donations. We have over 200 supporters, corporate sponsors, and individuals who donate anywhere from $5 to $5,000. So, when people donate to us to do our work, it goes through us, and then back out into the community in so many ways. People just don’t realize how much is going back into the community when they purchase a ticket. They are actually helping us educate and inspire others in the community.”

HAAA helps educate in the arts by bringing performers from all over to perform in the schools and other organizations. Many performers have contracts stating they agree to include some type of educational component while performing in the area. They recently did this with Dance Kaleidoscope and were able to perform for the Women’s Addiction Recovery Manor (WARM) Center and the Gathering Place, a senior center in Henderson. Alex explains, “Thanks to the generosity of donors that sponsored the program, we were able to reach those facilities that would not have had the means or chance to see the performing arts.”

Alex is bringing a fresh face to the HAAA, and he has big plans for the future. So, get ready because the HAAA has a great season planned for 2017-2018 which kicks off in September. Alex encourages you to buy season tickets because it’s going to be a season full of surprises!