Mike Henry
Director / Producer: Driving All Night | Austin, TX
July 2024 to Present · Part-time
Director and Producer for the theatrical production of Driving All Night: How to Raise a Kid and Survive as a Broke-ass Musician, written and performed by Ed Hamell (aka Hamell on Trial). Also responsible for video content creation and live video mixing during the show. The play premiered at Hyde Park Theatre in September 2024 and is currently enjoying a four performance run as part of FronteraFest 2025 (Bring Your Own Venue).
Austin Poet Laureate Organizing Committee | Austin, TX
April 2024 to Present · Volunteer
Member of the organizing committee tasked with program creation and selection of Austin’s first-ever adult Poet Laureate as approved by Austin City Council under the auspices of Austin Public Library. Also worked alongside the program’s founder – KB Brookins – to co-produce and co-host Austin Is A Poem – the kickoff party for the Austin Poet Laureate program.
Independent Consultant: Mike Henry HQ | Austin, TX
June 2018 to Present · Self-employed
I am an independent entertainment consultant specializing in live music and the arts. Focus areas with my roster of clients include event booking and production, digital marketing, artist development, strategic planning, video production, content creation, project management and more. Current / recent clients include SPIN, Uvalde Love Project, 3Ten at ACL Live, The Golden Roses, Hamell on Trial, Adam Sultan, Giulia Millanta, Saustex Records, Electric Lounge Presents and Boss Radio Music Services.
Poet and Spoken Word Artist | Austin, TX
September 1991 to Present · Part-time
Award-winning writer, poet and performing spoken word artist. Featured performer at poetry events from coast to coast, including a stint on the SlamAmerica Tour. Four-time winner of “Best of Fest” at Hyde Park Theatre’s FronteraFest and published in multiple anthologies, journals and textbooks including Rattle, Spoken Word Revolution Redux (SourceBooks Press), A Bigger Boat (University of New Mexico Press), The Worcester Review, Poetry Slam (Manic D Press), From Page To Stage And Back Again (The Wordsmith Press), Kapow! A minizine Anthology (Manic D Press) and many others including both Austin Chronicle and Austin American-Statesman and as part of an installation of ekphrastic poetry at The Blanton Museum. Recent and upcoming performances include Continental Club Gallery, 3Ten at ACL Live, Captain Quackenbush’s, Alamo Drafthouse and Hyde Park Theatre.
General Manager: Mosaic Sound Collective | Austin, TX
June 2018 to November 2022 · Part-time
Operating manager for 30,000 square-foot creative hub located in east Austin, focused on providing professional support and resources for local artists and musicians. Solely responsible for all aspects of business operations as well as event programming / production, educational programming and the co-creation of Mosaic Live Wire – a full-service live music video recording and streaming production team.
Talent Buyer & Event Producer: Bunkhouse Saloon | Las Vegas, NV
September 2014 to April 2019 · Full-time
Talent Buyer, lead promoter and showrunner for top independent music venue in downtown Las Vegas. Selected artist list includes Guided By Voices, Japanese Breakfast, Brandon Flowers (Killers), Built to Spill, The Growlers, Rakim, The Breeders, Car Seat Headrest, Deafheaven, Bob Mould, Panda Bear, Blackalicious, Melvins, Washed Out, Yo La Tengo, Dawes, K.Flay, Black Lips, Cults and Better Oblivion Community Center.
Talent Buyer: Emerge Music and Impact Conference | Las Vegas, NV
May 2016 - June 2018 · Seasonal
Music curator for a multi-day conference held on the Las Vegas strip, spotlighting emerging music and ideas. Selected artist list includes Twin Shadow, OK GO, Cuco, Waxahatchee, Starcrawler, Hurray for the Riff Raff, White Reaper, Rhye, Sir the Baptist and Jeff Rosenstock.
Talent Buyer & Director of Live Music Operations: Downtown Project | Las Vegas, NV
September 2013 - May 2016 · Full-time
Responsible for driving the acceleration and evolution of the live music and arts community in downtown Las Vegas as part of an unprecedented urban revitalization project created and driven by Zappos’ CEO, Tony Hsieh.
Co - Owner & Talent Buyer: The North Door | Austin, TX
April 2008 - May 2013 · Full-time
Served as project lead from initial concept to full execution for ND Austin, aka The North Door– a live music and arts venue. Responsibilities included all aspects of venue operation and management, staff supervision, creative direction, event production and programming of all entertainment. Selected artist list includes Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Bun B, Flying Lotus, Bearracuda, Spoon and The Octopus Project.
Development Director: One World Theater | Austin, TX
November 2006 – April 2008 · Full-time
Chief fundraising officer for nonprofit organization associated with west Austin theater. Solely responsible for grant writing, membership drive and support for fundraising events including annual gala.
Board member and Board President: Poetry Slam, Inc. | Chicago, IL
October 1997 – December 2010 · Part-time
Served multiple elected cycles on the working Board of Directors for the national nonprofit organization governing poetry slam. Solely responsible for writing and execution of a successful NEA grant in support of 1999 National Poetry Slam.
Slammaster: Austin Poetry Slam | Austin, TX
August 1995 - December 2010 · Part-time
Shepherded the growth and evolution of one of the longest-running and popular poetry slam series in the country – hosting, curating, and producing weekly events for over fifteen years.
Co-directed and produced the 1998, 2006 and 2007 editions of the annual National Poetry Slam tournament. These four-day festivals featured events in a dozen locations throughout downtown Austin, including multiple sold-out performances at the historic Paramount Theater.
Development Director: Rude Mechanicals | Austin, TX
April 2002 – June 2003 · Full-time
Chief fundraising officer for groundbreaking, award-winning East Austin independent theatre collective . Solely responsible for grant writing, membership drive and support for fundraising events including annual gala.
Various roles: South by Southwest Music and Media Conference | Austin, TX
January 1995 - March 2003 · Seasonal
Worked in multiple capacities as seasonal paid employee including serving as Stage Manager for the festival's largest stage for five consecutive years. Also worked as production coordinator, freelance talent reviewer, and curator for spoken word showcases.
Musician: Asylum Street Spankers | Austin, TX
December 1999 - February 2002 · Full-time
Working musician in critically-acclaimed, iconic Austin band including extensive club and festival touring in the United States and Europe.
Co - Owner & Talent Buyer: Electric Lounge | Austin, TX
September 1993 - May 1999 · Full-time
Operator and talent buyer for acclaimed live music and arts venue. Solely responsible for all aspects of venue operations, staff management, event promotion, entertainment programming and production. Selected artist list includes Jeff Buckley, Elliot Smith, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Lucinda Williams, Mix Master Mike, Cake, Neutral Milk Hotel, Sleater-Kinney, Spiritualized, Hieroglyphics, Link Wray, Melvins, At The Drive In and Jonathan Richman.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing with Minor in History, Oklahoma City University (1990)
Certificates in Grant Writing and Nonprofit Fundraising, University of Texas at Austin (2003)