SHELLY HUDSON

Summary: I am a seasoned arts professional drawing on over to 20 years of nonprofit, small business, and performing arts experience. I have mentored small businesses owners, nonprofits, and professionals, as well as arts entities and have been featured in print, radio, and television. I strive to continue to create and collaborate to create creative spaces that work to encourages artistic  growth and personal expression.

Arts Administration and Creative Business Experience:

Founder & Producing Artistic Director
Amplified Art   Oct 2014 - Present (1yr 7 months) Claremont NH

Amplified Arts seeks to invigorate the community of artists located in Sullivan County by offering a nurturing environment for exploration of new works, artist’s collaboration, train new talent, and make the arts accessible to a wide spectrum of the general public while amplifying the creative economy by making Claremont and Sullivan County a destination for great art and entertainment. Amplified Arts also seeks to promote local artists through great theatrical works, engaging live music, eclectic art and one of a kind cinema experience while providing an affordable theatre space to local production companies to prefect their craft as well as a function space where local organization can promote their mission through programming.

Key Achievements:

  • Brand development
  • Community outreach
  • Artistic direction of Amplified first production
  • programming development


Executive Director
Red River Theatres Inc
February 2012 – Present (4yr 5 months ) Concord, NH

Red River Theatres is NH only full time independent nonprofit art house cinema. The theater’s mission is “to present film and the discussion of film as a way to entertain, broaden horizons and deepen appreciation of life for audiences of all ages.” To that end, Red River offers a diverse program of first-run independent films, cult favorites, classics, local and regional film projects, foreign films and lots of discussion. Conversation and civic engagement are at the heart of what makes Red River so popular in the community and so important to the New Hampshire cultural scene. 

Key Achievements:

  • Managed the successful reorganization of the nonprofit to meet budgetary needs and growth.
  • Oversaw the successful fundraising and installation of RRT's digital projection system – 2012
  • Development and growth of RRT's programming, events and social media presence.
  • Development and growth of RRT's corporate engagement as well as overseeing the consistent growth in membership and patron engagement.
  • Developed and implemented RRT's STEAM ACADEMY education initiative – 2013 with series like STEM Through the Lens, Bards on the big screen and History Alive! All of which coupled film and discussion and were presented free for NH students.  

Executive Director
Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce
October 2007 – February 2012 (5 years 5 months) Claremont NH

The Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit (501 (c) (6) organization formed to represent business interests within the communities we serve. Since 1917 the Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce has played a major leadership role in shaping the economic and social growth of the community it serves. During my tenure more than 220 member businesses and individuals supported the Chamber's mission of community commitment.

Key Achievements:

  • Develop a working environment that engages both seasoned professionals and up and coming leaders.
  • Developed a strong brand for the chamber with a new logo, tagline and website that is still in use today
  • Developed and oversaw the completed Chamber's 2yr Strategic plan and goals
  • Developed and implemented a new dues structure based on benefit values verse the employee based dues structure.
  • Developed a strong relationships with city, county and state officials to better leverage the chamber position within these municipalities
  • Worked to develop the chamber’s yearly budget reflecting moderate growth during the economic downturn of 2007 - 2010.
  • Developed and launch several new programs for Chamber members and Community.
  • Helped founded the Sullivan County Young Professionals (SCYP)
  • Introduced Social media as a networking and marketing tool to the Chamber and its members.

Executive/Artistic Director/Founder
Performer's Playground
January 2001 – February 2012 (11 years 2 months) Newport New Hampshire

The Performer’s Playground is a non-profit performing arts studio founded in 2001, based in Newport, NH. The Performer’s Playground has become a community arts leader and partner serving over 500 Sullivan County youth 25 and under through theatre and film making programs and productions. The Performer’s Playground is a recognized non profit arts organization at both the state and federal level.

Key Achievements

  • Founded and organized the new non-profit as well as developed the Board of Directors, volunteer base, audition criteria and creative work environment. “Be who you are…Be who you want to be”
  • Produced 11 seasons of award winning, student focused youth theatre and film as well as programming for summer vacations and school breaks.
  • Responsible for all fundraising events, community outreach and audience cultivation with the support of volunteers and board.
  • Through my leadership TPP became a sought after arts partner for local school systems, opera houses and county and state entities as an award winning, art education venue and partner.

THEATRE ARTS EDUCATOR – bringing theatres arts education to underserved areas of NH & VT
Vermont School (Public – K – 8) 2006
Rive County Day School (Private K – 12) 2005 -6
Newport Middle High School (Public 6-12) 2001 – 2004
Claremont School District (Public K -12) 1997 – 2001

As a theatre arts educator I was responsible for developing the curriculum, objectives and assessments for each location I worked at. Not only teaching all grade levels (k-12) I also produced several award winning, groundbreaking productions at Newport High School and beyond. Using the NH DOE core standards, I worked with faculty to offer embellishment to their curriculum through the use of theatres arts both viewing and participation.

Accolades:
2016 NH Theatre Awards - Vision and Tenacity Award
2013 Pinnacle Awards – Red River Theatres - Non-profit of the year
2004 Accommodation from Gov. Benson – dedication to youth arts education
2000 – 2011 Numerous directing, production, acting, set design and costume design awards at the local and state level

Associations/board work:
2011 – Alumni of Leadership NH
2011 – 2012 Adjudicator – NH Theatre Awards
2008 – 2011 – ex-officio board member – Claremont Opera House
2000 – 2007 Member and presenting Director– New Hampshire Educational Theatre Guild
2003 – 2004 – Member and presenting Director – NH Community Theatre Association