The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts

THE KENTUCKY CENTER EXECUTIVES

Stephen Klein, President

Stephen has been President of The  Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts since 2005.  In that time, he has spearheaded a comprehensive and ongoing Strategic Plan for the Center, served as Chair of the Arts and Cultural Attractions Council, successfully organized the Center’s $9 million request for deferred maintenance funds from the General Assembly, overseen the consolidation of operations with the acquisition of office space adjacent to the Center, and helped preserve Stage One by bringing the children’s theater within the Center until it could be successfully merged with Music Theatre Louisville and the Louisville Theatrical Association.  

Prior to arriving at The Kentucky Center, Klein spent nine seasons as Managing Director of Pittsburgh Public Theater. From 1985 to 1994, he served with Music Director Mstislav Rostropovich as Executive Director of the internationally acclaimed National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), in permanent residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. He was executive director of the Denver Symphony Orchestra and, prior to that, served with the Cleveland Orchestra as orchestra manager.

 Kim Baker, Senior Vice President, External Affairs

Kim currently oversees all programming, communications and marketing initiatives at The Kentucky Center. She has spent her career working in the areas of theatre management, communications, programming, and development and has held a variety of management positions with the Singletary Center for the Arts, Louisville Gardens, Iroquois Amphitheater, the W.L. Lyons Brown Theater and The Kentucky Center. 

 Heather Weston Bell, Senior Vice President, Education & Community Arts

Heather supervises all of the Center’s programs that reach out into communities across Kentucky, including ArtsReach and the Governor’s School for the Arts. She has worked at the Center since 2001, primarily with GSA where she spent nine years, eventually rising to be Executive Director of that award-winning, internationally-recognized program.

 Joe Massey, Senior Vice President, Facility Services

Joe oversees backstage operations at The Kentucky Center, as well as the physical plant at both the Center and the Brown Theatre. His career began before opening day, when he worked above the Whitney Hall stage as Head Flyman. He has gradually risen through the ranks to the office he currently holds, holding at various times positions of Head Carpenter, Director of Productions, Assistant Vice President of Operations and Senior Vice President of Internal Operations.

Christopher Roberts, Senior Vice President, Business Affairs

Chris is in charge of all things financial at The Kentucky Center. He arrived here in 2006, following seven years as Chief Financial Officer with Optical Dynamics Corporation of Louisville. Before that, he held various finance positions with companies in his native California.

Traci Simonsen, Senior Vice President, Development

Traci handles all of the fundraising efforts of The Kentucky Center, supporting our statewide arts education and outreach programs. Before arriving at the Center, she was at the University of Louisville, holding several positions there, including Director of Corporate Relations.  Traci is also a certified Dale Carnegie and EQ instructor.

Michelle Veit, Senior Vice-President, Patron Affairs

Michelle is in charge of all aspects of the Center that impact the patron’s experience. She spent the past decade as Director of Ticket Services at The Kentucky Center.  Prior to that, she worked for Music Theatre Louisville, holding a variety of roles from Interim Manager of the Iroquois Amphitheater and Box Office Manager to Theater Camp Instructor.

Harry Hinkle, Director, Human Resources

Harry manages all of the Center’s human resources activities that affect the employment and development of its employees. He has worked at the Center since 2006. Prior to coming to the Center, Harry worked in both profit and nonprofit organizations. He enjoys teaching HR courses part-time at the local universities.

Abby Shue, Associate Director

On behalf of the President, Abby implements innovative business practices, cultivates new audiences, and engages stakeholders in initiatives that position the Center for future vitality. Abby is a graduate of Butler University, where she studied dance performance, business administration and public relations, performing with the respected Butler Ballet program. She has been with the Center since 2009 and is very involved with the Louisville community, serving on the boards of Young Professionals Association of Louisville, BG Magazine Louisville and New2Lou, among others.