Chad Hilligus Named Executive and Artistic Director of SORAYA CSUN

California State Northridge (CSUN) is the largest university in the largest public higher education system in the world – serving more than 40,000 students annually.

California State University, Northridge has appointed Chad Hilligus as the new Executive and Artistic Director of the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, known as The Soraya, a nationally recognized performing arts venue.

“I’m so pleased that Chad Hilligus will be leading The Soraya,” said CSUN President Erika D. Beck. “Chad is a proven leader in the performing arts with more than 20 years of experience as an artist, producer, director and fundraiser, and a deep understanding of how the arts connect us across cultures, across generations and across differences. The Soraya serves as both a transformative learning environment for our students and a dynamic gathering place where everyone belongs. Chad's vision and artistic integrity will realize even greater impact.”

Hilligus joins CSUN from the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, Calif., where, as chief executive officer, he leads artistic programming and oversees operations, finance, education and advancement. During his tenure, he curated more than 100 multidisciplinary live performances annually, strengthening the center’s reputation for diverse and high-quality programming.

“I feel incredibly honored and energized to step into this role,” Hilligus said. “The Soraya has built a remarkable reputation as a home for elevated, world-class work, and it’s deeply meaningful to join an institution with such artistic integrity and cultural impact.”

Originally opened in 2011 as the Valley Performing Arts Center (VPAC), the venue was renamed The Soraya in 2017 following a transformative gift from philanthropists Younes and Soraya Nazarian.

“The Soraya is the artistic and cultural heart of the San Fernando Valley and beyond, bringing world-class performances to audiences that reflect the vibrancy of the region’s diverse communities,” said Sharon S. Nazarian, President of the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Family Foundation. “Its commitment to arts education and inclusive programming opens doors for thousands of students across Southern California each year.”

“Our family is deeply committed to The Soraya reaching new heights, building on its remarkable foundation while expanding its impact and ambition. With Chad’s wide-ranging experience in the performing arts, I am confident he will build on this extraordinary foundation, and I look forward to partnering with him to deepen and expand The Soraya’s impact on Los Angeles and the campus.”

Hilligus will begin his tenure at The Soraya on June 15, 2026. Click HERE to view the full Press Release

CSUN and The Soraya recognize and acknowledge the Sesevitam, the first people of this ancestral and unceded territory of Sesevenga — which is now occupied by the university. It honors their elders, past and present, and the Sesevitam descendants, who are citizens of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. We recognize that the Sesevitam are still here, and we are committed to lifting up their stories, culture, and community.

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