Neil Higginbotham
Kansas City,MO
Summary
Accomplished Creative Professional with 20 years of creative leadership experience in a variety of industries searching for a fulfilling career in the arts that has impact, drive, and purpose. My experience in; managing events in New York City; developing educational programs with hands-on leadership experience; creating a heightened sense of group awareness; maintaining a passion for unique creativity while maintaining a healthy balance of personal integrity and team potential; thinking outside of the box; and pushing the boundaries for personal and professional growth has given me a solid, reliable, and dependable set of skills.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Artistic Director
Kansas City Aerial Arts
Leawood, KS
01.2022 - 12.2023
- Produced multiple impactful and community-driven stage productions with successful metrics and client and audience satisfaction.
- Created visually unique and budget-friendly events / gigs to increase awareness and interest.
- Acquired leadership,development, training, and education of The Training Company; resulting in increased membership by 200%
- Founded KC Circus Company & increased booking revenue through high-level of event execution, ingenuity, and forward-driven concepts.
- Established and maintained healthy relationships with clients, vendors, students, and staff resulting in positive working environments and repeat cliental.
Co-Director
Blue Springs High School
Kansas City, MO
05.2021 - Current
- Implemented strategy for movement education of full ensemble (36 to 300 members)
- Assisted in the creation & implementation of healthy learning environments for students; resulting in increased membership and recognition from BSSD
- Responsible for maintaining a high level of professionalism and execution from multiple teams.
- Involving making executive decisions, setting day-to-day tasks for long-term goals, and providing a quality learning environment that focuses on strengthening the personal capacity of young adults
- Created and implemented a customized educational plan for students by adapting to students’ individual needs, committing to a strengths-based position
- Organized training sessions for team members in order to enhance their skillset and knowledge base.
- Managed relationships with external stakeholders such as vendors, partners, and clients to ensure successful collaborations.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
Event Captain
Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
New York, NY
07.2009 - 02.2020
- Promoted to Event Captain due to reliability, professional attitude, excellent client relationships, and positive attitude.
- Enhanced efficiency in event management to smoothly coordinate events for 1,000+ guests
- Gained the ability to efficiently delegate tasks to multiple teams and a 50+ person staff, as well as work with a team effectively for a common goal.
- Participated in ongoing training to enhance job skills and knowledge.
- Researched potential venues for future events based on client requirements.
Dancer & Circus Performer
Independent Contractor
05.2005 - Current
- Madison Square Garden for New Years Eve '12/'13/'18 - Bindlestiff Family Circus - Alison Chase / Performance - Grounded Aerial Dance Theatre - Ben Munisteri Dance Projects - Catapult Dance Theatre - Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company Webster Hall - Ke$ha - Tony & Emmy Award winning “BLAST!” - Law & Order - Ugly Betty - Boardwalk Empire - Disney’s ‘Step Up 3D’
- Developed and honed skills including tenacity, resilience, self-motivation, innovation and multi-dimensional thinking
- Created and guided physical / theatrical training program; active in areas of conflict resolution; developed and assisted marketing projects and recruitment endeavors; and positively cultivated individual forms of personal artistic integrity -
- Promoted to Dance Captain/Rehearsal Director/Aerial Manager/Choreographer/Creative team due to reliability, effective & positive communication, resolve internal problems efficiently, dependability, creative ability, and resourcefulness.
- Analyzed audience reactions during performances to determine which parts were successful.
- Created and choreographed dance moves and routines for self, partners and ensembles.
Office Manager / Production Team / PR Assistant
Illy Cafe' North America
New York, NY
09.2009 - 09.2013
- Strategized successful production large scale Food & Wine Festivals across 5 cities by maintaining a multi-level schedule, collaborating between multiple stakeholders, coordinating logistics, arranging travel, clearly executing shifting tasks with individual timelines and strict deadlines
- Promoted to Office Manager and PR Assistant due to excellent work ethic, collaborative and strategic vision for event production, quality communication skills and the desire to grow within the company
- Handled scheduling and managed timely and effective allocation of resources and calendars.
- Provided administrative support to management team including preparing reports and presentations.
- Trained and mentored administrative staff members in company policies, daily task execution and industry best practices.
Education
Certified teacher of Mindfulness Meditation - Mindfulness
Nalanda Institute & The Path
New York, NY05-2019
Certified International Health Coach - Health and Wellness
International Association For Health Coaches
05-2017
IIN Health Coach Certification - Health And Wellness
SUNY Purchase & Institute For Integrative Nutrition
New York, NY05-2017
Core Curriculum -
University of Houston / Houston Community College
Houston, TX05-2002
Skills
- Word
- Excel
- Powerpoint
- GoogleDrive
- Social Media Platforms
- Windows
- Mac
- Active Listening
- Applied Positive Psychology
- Strategic Planning
- Operations Management
- Business Development
- Staff Management
- Staff Coordination
- Workforce Management
- Business Administration
- Time Management
- Complex Problem Solving
- Creative Thinking
- Team Leadership
- Relationships and Rapport
- Audience Engagement
- Exemplary Communication Skills
- Catering Coordination
- Transportation and Logistics Coordination
- Operations Oversight
- Menu Planning
Timeline
Artistic Director
Kansas City Aerial Arts
01.2022 - 12.2023
Co-Director
Blue Springs High School
05.2021 - Current
Office Manager / Production Team / PR Assistant
Illy Cafe' North America
09.2009 - 09.2013
Event Captain
Mary Giuliani Catering & Events
07.2009 - 02.2020
Dancer & Circus Performer
Independent Contractor
05.2005 - Current
Certified teacher of Mindfulness Meditation - Mindfulness
Nalanda Institute & The Path
Certified International Health Coach - Health and Wellness
International Association For Health Coaches
IIN Health Coach Certification - Health And Wellness
SUNY Purchase & Institute For Integrative Nutrition
Core Curriculum -
University of Houston / Houston Community College
Similar Profiles
Evangeline VolheimEvangeline Volheim
Aerialist Performer at Orlando Aerial ArtsAerialist Performer at Orlando Aerial Arts
Olivia TrotmanOlivia Trotman
Silks Recital at SOUL Aerial and Performing ArtsSilks Recital at SOUL Aerial and Performing Arts
Quinn KaufmanQuinn Kaufman
Assistant Aerial Acrobatics Coach at Xelias Aerial ArtsAssistant Aerial Acrobatics Coach at Xelias Aerial Arts
Robin ThomasRobin Thomas
Legal Assistant at Waits & BrownleeLegal Assistant at Waits & Brownlee
Skyler RossSkyler Ross
Assistant Project Manager at Rothwell ConstructionAssistant Project Manager at Rothwell Construction